Considered one of the oldest arts, carpentry is one of the trades that has given humanity the foundations of civilization as we know it today. With techniques and tools from all over the world, carpentry has been able to grow stronger over the years, giving rise to various specialties.

Chronology of Wooden Art

Carpentry didn’t originate in just one place but the oldest records date back to 2,500 B.C. in Egypt. More impressively, some studies show that it is an even older art, with more than 6,000 years of history.

Although the origin of carpentry isn’t certain, it’s possible to say that it was born from the need for tools, which in turn led to the invention of devices and shelters for living. At first, it wasn’t recognized work, but with the passing of time, it became more and more important.

The more complex and useful the carpenters' work became, the greater its recognition. It became a fairly common trade in the Middle Ages and by the Classical Age, it was considered an art form like sculpture.

Undoubtedly, one of the great milestones of carpentry was the invention of the carriage in the 17th century; a revolutionary method of transportation for the time, recognized for its elegance and sophistication. Thus, by the Renaissance, carpentry was a prominent and highly practiced trade.

Types of Carpentry

As we’ve already mentioned, carpentry is a multidisciplinary trade. Among its many specialties, we can find crafts, construction and even carpentry with materials other than wood. So it’s important to identify the types of carpentry that can be performed today.

1. Industrial Carpentry: practiced in large factories with raw material that comes directly from sawmills.
2. Construction Carpentry: responsible for wood construction, or in other construction projects, for the assembly of windows and doors. Involves the manufacturing of CLT panels, GLT beams, veneers, containers, and boards, among others.
3. Decorative Carpentry: applied to the manufacturing of wooden furniture and accessories, as decorative and functional elements.
4. Workshop Carpentry: specializes in the construction of parts for buildings such as windows, doors and veneers.
5. Artisan Carpentry: dedicated to the creation of unique objects and art. It is the form of carpentry that’s most free to the imagination and it’s also strongly linked to the folklore of various regions.
6. Exterior Carpentry: focused on the exterior finishing for buildings such as veneers, ventilation and lighting.
7. Mounting Carpentry: used in the construction field. As the Crehana site says, in this type of carpentry volume is more important than finishing. Mounting carpentry usually uses wood alloys with other materials, depending on the purpose.
   • PVC: for jobs requiring flat, smooth, plumb and square locations.
   • Metal: used in the fabrication of windows and doors.
8. Aluminum Carpentry: made of aluminum alloy profiles, distinguished by its high mechanical strength, low price, standardization, etc.

Cabinetmaking

Cabinetmaking is a type of carpentry that specializes in the production of complex furniture, with unconventional techniques and methods. For this reason, it’s separate and not considered a branch of carpentry. It’s generally used for marquetry, carving, lathing and inlaying.

Most Commonly Used Wood

Though all types of wood can be put to exceptional use, not all of them are used for the same purpose. Therefore, a carpenter must know how to work with the different varieties or rather, understand the many types of wood. Some are easier to work with, some are used for their beauty, and others for their greater strength. Here, we’ll leave you a list of the wood most commonly used by artists.

• Cedar
• Oak
• Ebony
• Pine
• Beech
• Walnut
• Carob
• Pitch
• Pine

Undoubtedly, this craft that has been passed down from generation to generation requires people who are gifted with patience, discipline and passion for their creations.