Millwork vs. Casework vs. Cabinetry: What’s the Difference?

Millwork is the broad term for custom architectural woodwork and related assemblies made to a project’s design, from reception desks and paneling to trim and feature walls. Casework covers the cabinets and box units within that scope: the pieces that store, display or serve. Cabinetry commonly refers to casework built for storage. Custom casework is generally treated as part of millwork; manufactured casework bought from a product line is specified separately.

Millwork vs. casework vs. cabinetry at a glance

The plain-English version

Millwork is the umbrella. It covers custom-fabricated, design-specific architectural woodwork and related assemblies: curved feature walls, reception desks, wall paneling, columns, trim, displays and custom cabinets. If it is custom architectural woodwork fabricated to the project’s drawings, it is generally considered millwork.

Casework means the cabinet boxes within that scope. These are cabinet units, built to standard or semi-custom construction, that store, display or serve: nursing stations, serveries, retail display cases and back-of-house cabinets. For a fuller definition, see what is architectural casework.

Cabinetry commonly refers to casework built for storage, the boxes with doors and drawers. In everyday use “cabinetry” and “casework” overlap; casework is the more technical, commercial term. “Casework” is one word.

Examples by building type

• Retail store: the curved illuminated feature wall and reception desk are millwork; the display cases and stockroom cabinets are casework; the drawer units inside the cash wrap are cabinetry.
• Healthcare or veterinary clinic: arched banquette niches and a maple slat ceiling are millwork; exam room cabinets, the treatment island and the kennel bank are casework. See the Juno Veterinary case study.
• School or institutional building: lobby paneling and a feature wall are millwork; classroom storage walls and science room cabinets are casework. See institutional millwork.
• Office: the reception desk and boardroom wall are millwork; pantry and storage cabinets are casework. See office millwork.

Why the distinction matters on a project

• Specification and tender: millwork and casework can sit in different specification sections, and casework may be split between custom (06 41 00) and manufactured (Division 12). Clear scope lines help avoid gaps and double-counting at bid time.
• Cost: casework is often more modular and repeatable, so it is usually cheaper per unit at volume; one-off feature millwork costs more per piece. See what commercial millwork costs.
• Construction: casework is built frameless or face-frame, with flush overlay, reveal overlay or inset doors (the terms used in the AWI standards; cabinetmakers often say full overlay, partial overlay and inset). Those choices should be in the specification, not left to the bidder. See custom vs. modular casework.
• Standards: architectural woodwork is built to defined quality grades. Two sets of standards are in use: the ANSI/AWI standards and the North American Architectural Woodwork Standards (NAAWS), which AWMAC uses in Canada. Both define Economy, Custom and Premium grades. Assigning a grade to each element, with the higher grade where the work is seen, helps control cost. See AWI quality grades explained.
• Who builds it: a shop that builds both from one set of shop drawings can match finishes across the feature millwork and the casework more easily.

So which do you need?

Most commercial projects use a mix of millwork and casework. Using the same shop for both cuts down on coordination and makes it easier to match finishes, with a control sample approved for each finish.

DNS Industries builds commercial millwork and casework in Vaughan, Ontario, from shop drawings through machining and finishing.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between millwork and casework?

Millwork is the broad term for custom, design-specific architectural woodwork: feature walls, reception desks, paneling, trim, displays and custom cabinets. Casework is the cabinet and box units within that scope, used to store, display or serve, such as nursing stations, display cases and back-of-house cabinets.

Is cabinetry the same as casework?

Cabinetry commonly refers to casework built for storage, the boxes with doors and drawers. In everyday use the terms overlap; casework is the broader, more technical commercial term.

What is the difference between millwork and cabinetry?

Custom cabinetry is one part of millwork. Millwork also covers paneling, trim, feature walls, desks, displays and other custom-built components that are not cabinets.

Which specification section covers casework?

Custom casework is usually specified in MasterFormat 06 41 00, Architectural Wood Casework. Manufactured casework from a product line is usually specified in Division 12, Furnishings.

Do I need millwork or casework for my project?

Most commercial projects use a mix of the two: feature millwork that customers see and casework that staff use. Using the same shop for both cuts down on coordination and makes it easier to match finishes.

Have drawings? Get a quote on your millwork and casework or call 905-761-9568.