Trades vs. University: How to Know Which Is Right for You
When you think of carpentry work, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? If it’s hammering at wood boards and building houses you’re in for a surprise—carpentry has a wide range of specializations and paths you can follow that might not be common knowledge for someone starting a career in the trades.
From movie sets to shipbuilding, carpentry is an essential and highly versatile skill. Interested in becoming a carpenter? Let’s explore how they construct our society in more ways than one—here are eight different types of carpentry jobs to consider.
1. Rough Carpentry
Rough carpenters are one of the hidden aces of the construction industry. They specialize in building the skeletal framework of new homes and commercial buildings.
These types of carpenters form and assemble frames, walls, floors, and roofs using wood, metal, and other materials. A rough carpenter essentially lays the foundation for other tradespeople like electricians and plumbers to do their jobs successfully.
2. Formwork Carpentry
In construction, formwork carpenters are the shape-makers. They’re heavily involved in rough carpentry work, building temporary moulds that hold the wet concrete in place until it solidifies into the desired form.
This type of carpentry job requires following blueprints to a T and assembling heavy-duty forms on site, ensuring they're sturdy enough to contain the concrete pour. Their attention to detail is crucial for building residential and commercial projects from the ground up. Without formwork carpenters, our concrete structures would be one hot mess!
3. Finish Carpentry
Aside from rough carpentry, finish carpentry is one of the most common carpentry careers in residential construction. A finish carpenter will take over from rough carpenters once the foundation is laid to add the finishing touches that transform basic structures into beautiful living or working spaces.
The types of carpentry jobs involved in this career include installing doors, drywall, windows, staircases, built-ins and trim to finish off a room or building. You can certainly expect a finish carpenter to have a keen eye for detail and precision.
4. Trim Carpentry
Are you creative and have a passion for interior design? Then maybe you’d enjoy the job of a trim carpenter! This carpenter specialization installs sweet decorative touches that turn a basic build into a beautiful masterpiece. We're talking mouldings, skirting boards, chair rails, wainscoting, mantels, and other architectural trim pieces.
With an eagle eye for detail and materials know-how, a trim carpenter ensures every trim is a perfect fit for the space, achieving overall design harmony.
Image source: Canva
5. Cabinet Maker
Probably one of the more popular types of carpentry, furniture or cabinet making has been around forever. As the name suggests, it involves designing and building custom furniture, cabinets, and other woodwork for homes, offices, and commercial projects. Skills needed included advanced woodworking techniques, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.
A furniture or cabinet maker is often part of renovations and new builds. Their skills are highly valued in breathing new life into existing spaces or creating stunning, one-of-a-kind pieces for home and commercial interiors!
6. Ship Carpentry
This type of carpentry isn't your everyday hammering and sawing. Ship carpenters construct, repair, and maintain the structural components of vessels, including the hull, decks, and masts. This is one of those types of carpentry careers that requires knowledge of marine construction techniques and materials, as well as an understanding of the unique challenges faced by water and weather conditions.
A shipbuilding carpenter is instrumental in ensuring marine vessels are seaworthy and structurally sound. If you love the ocean and have a knack for working with your hands, this could be the perfect carpentry career for you!
7. Set and Production Carpentry
Behind every movie, TV, or theatre production’s stage elements and design is a set and production carpenter building imaginary worlds to life! These types of carpentry jobs involve building and installing sets, props, and scenery, often working under tight deadlines and with unique design requirements.
Set and production carpentry work goes beyond wooden structures. Instead, they use various materials like foam, plastics, and even lightweight metals to create realistic-looking sets and props.
8. Preservation Carpentry
Preserving history is the name of the game for these types of carpentry experts. They’re on a mission to keep architectural treasures of our past, like historical homes, churches, and public buildings, standing tall for generations to come.
You can think of preservation carpenters as doctors who restore the health of old buildings. Here’s what this carpentry role involves:
- Replicate intricate old-world details to preserve original character and integrity
- Consolidate weakened materials
- Repair traditional joinery
- Replace historically accurate mouldings and architectural features
Essential skills for this carpentry work require knowledge of historical construction methods, attention to detail, and a passion for heritage preservation.
Kickstart Your Carpenter Career at Skilled Trades College
With so many different types of carpentry career paths to choose from, where do you even start? If you like the idea of becoming a carpenter but find it hard to pick your poison, it’s time to try things out for yourself!
Skilled Trades College of Canada offers a comprehensive introductory home renovation and construction pre-apprenticeship program that covers the basics of skilled trade work—including a heavy focus on carpentry, from rough framing and roof construction to the basics of hand and power tools.
Our Intro to Home Renovation program is your all-access pass to the skilled trades, giving you 12 weeks of immersive, hands-on training and expert guidance to hone your craft. Plus, this course also covers other aspects of construction, like electrical and plumbing, so all your bases are covered!
Learn more about our programs by contacting our admissions office or book an open house to check out our facilities, meet your future instructors, and get all your questions answered!
