The Wood Workers Way

Joy of woodworking

Building houses is no easy task. Carpenters need a bevy of skills, as well the ability to learn and adapt quickly on the job. Specialized training, education and experience typically translates to higher pay. The carpentry skills required to build houses are contingent upon the type of carpentry. Typically there are finish carpenters, rough carpenters and cabinetmakers involved in building a house.

Types of Carpenters: Rough carpenters are involved at the beginning of the project, and do the large-scale structural work of framing the house, including the roofing. Finish carpenters work at the end of a house-building project, and are involved in finishing interior trims and moldings and detail work involving millwork, stairs and paneling. Cabinetmakers are another type of finish carpenters and create built-in cabinets, bookcases and other furniture.

General Skils: Whatever the specialty, carpenters primarily work with wood: measuring, cutting and construction. The general carpentry skills needed in constructing a house include: knowing how to read and follow blueprints and how to adhere to building codes; a working knowledge of basic mathematics and geometry, including calculating angles; a knowledge of lumber and other materials; and an understanding of construction methods, such as rough framing, roof framing, floor framing and installation, door and window framing, exterior and interior finishing, and rigging.

A carpenter must be familiar with the materials used in home building. Materials used by carpenters in house building generally include the various types of lumber used in framing, floor and roof construction; and the finish lumber and trims used on the interior and exterior of the house. Carpenters must understand how to select lumber and wood for specific purposes — and which types of nails or fasteners are appropriate for the wood and the purpose. For example, a carpenter needs to know to use hot-dipped galvanized nails for joist hangers on a deck instead of roofing nails, which are not safe as structural hangers and violate building codes. Although most home building carpentry deals with wood, carpenters occasionally must work with other materials such as plastics, concrete and composites.