The Magic of Millwork

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The Magic of Millwork

One of our specialties here at Johnson Brothers is millwork, which is any type of decorative wood material that is produced within a mill and used in building or renovation projects. Doors, moulding, trim, flooring, wall paneling and crown moulding are all considered millwork. Decorative pieces such as mantels and door casing are also common products of millwork. Two common styles of millwork are craftsman and profiled; let’s start by exploring the two. 

Craftsman Millwork

Craftsman style millwork is all about crisp clean lines and is often associated with Modern Farmhouse style. The main identifier of craftsman style millwork is the corner work. Craftsman style millwork tends to have eased corners rather than sharp edges. Some traits of Craftsman style millwork include, tongue and groove paneling, board and batten wall trim with a chair rail, flat faced trim details. 

Profiled Millwork

On the other end of the spectrum, profiled millwork is most commonly found in Colonial and Ranch style applications. Profiled millwork usually contains more texture and detail than craftsman. Profiled millwork might include intricate, multi-piece crown moulding with base blocks and corner blocks for door and window casings or dentil mold below crown detail, and raised panels for wall details.

As always, if nothing in our vast assortment of millwork options we carry suits your taste, we can help you custom-design and produce a one-of-a-kind moulding profile that’s unique to your project. We’re proud to offer virtually all species of hardwoods, as well as MDF and paint-grade materials. So, let’s jump into wood paneling. 

Paneling

Wood paneling is traditionally made up of solid wood, wood-like products or modern engineered wood boards placed together in large sheets or single planks. Wood paneling tends to fit most interior styles and can be used in commercial and residential applications. A few different types and applications include wall paneling, wainscoting, ceiling paneling and exterior paneling. 

Wall Paneling

Wood wall paneling was traditionally used to help insulate walls, but more and more it’s being used to revamp the appearance of existing walls. When choosing a wall paneling style, it’s important to narrow down whether you like a painted or stained look. Painted wall panels give you the freedom to tailor your design to the rest of your space, while a natural look allows the knots and grains of the wood to be more visible. 

Wainscoting

Wainscoting is a paneling system that uses wood boards installed on the lower half of an interior wall and offers homeowners a wide variety of design choices from flat panels to beadboard, either painted or finished naturally. It’s important to consult a professional when selecting a species of wood because certain woods are susceptible to expansion and shrinkage. 

Ceiling Paneling

Ceiling panels are designed to withstand pressure and resist moist conditions. Well-made ceiling panels are built for high performance and can withstand extreme room conditions. Like any type of paneling, make sure to choose your wood species wisely. 

Exterior Paneling

Exterior wood paneling (siding) is not only gorgeous, but is incredibly eco-friendly, and surprisingly, tends to last longer than vinyl siding if  properly maintained. Wood paneling for exterior applications is usually stained, although a painted look is not uncommon. 

Shiplap

Shiplap is often used for constructing sheds, barns and other rustic structures. Traditional shiplap has a rabbet, or groove cut into the top and bottom, which allows each piece to seal together snugly. This creates a unique appearance, with subtle horizontal gaps between pieces.

Shiplap has a long history and can be traced back to shipbuilding in the Viking area. While it was a widely used construction material then, shiplap was rarely used as a surface design until recently. Today, shiplap is often a blanket term for interior wood cladding and is commonly found in today’s modern farmhouse design. It’s also not surprising to find shiplap hidden beneath old wallpaper, drywall or plaster.

Shiplap is incredibly versatile and can bring a unique feel to almost any room. It can be installed horizontally to make a room feel bigger, vertically to make a room feel taller or even diagonally to give a room texture. Shiplap can be installed naturally finished, stained, painted or mixed, which allows homeowners to match whatever aesthetic they know and love. 

If you’re looking to incorporate millwork into your current or future home renovation project, Johnson Brothers in Boise in Idaho Falls is the place to go for all of your needs. Give us a call or stop by our showroom for a free consultation today.