Understanding Millwork & Mouldings

Millwork is a finishing technique that adds to doors, staircases, window casings, baseboards, mantels, and crown moldings. It is decorative in nature, and its main purpose is to give an extra dimension and a touch of sophistication to a room.

The ready-made or one-of-a-kind mouldings can be added to any interior or exterior location. Regardless of whether it’s pre-made or custom-fabricated, millwork adds attractiveness, warmth, and beauty to any area. It can be used for an architectural addition or to replicate historic plans, and the design and amount of millwork for a location is always up to the homeowner.

At McIlvain Lumber Company, an industry leader in lumber supply and millwork, they complete a four step process to design the perfect millwork for their customers. The custom process includes designing a blueprint, plastic mold, metal mold, and final moulding. Understanding McIlvain’s processes should help you to better understand millworking as a whole.

Blueprint Plans

Blueprints are the plans of the millwork design. The blueprint determines the width, height, and length of the millwork, and it also exemplifies detail and customization. Blueprints give the designer a definite description and drawing of what they need to complete, and they give the customer the chance to make any changes or corrections to the design. The millworker can then prepare the lumber and planning for the completion of the project.

Plastic Die

After the blueprint is finalized, a plastic die is made. The plastic die-cut is used to check for accuracy and detail, and it allows the designer to check and guarantee accuracy, high quality, and consistency in the product. This step in the process also guarantees that any reorders or future orders of more of the millwork will match the original precisely.

Metal Model

The third step in the process is a metal model. This allows the knife to be grounded, inspected, and reinspected. At McIlvain Company, designers reinspect the millwork until exact perfection is reached. This process sets strict standards of quality craftsmanship. The metal step is the last step before the moulding is completed, and it is extremely important, as it perfects the moulding before it even begins.

Moulding

The moulding is the last step before the millwork is ready to be installed. McIlvain’s moulding must match the design and size specifications of the customer exactly, and it must maintain a high level of quality finish and sizing. After completion, the moulding is installed into the home to add depth, richness, and uniqueness to the area. In order to fit into the space specifically and without gaps or other issues, the moulding manufacturing process must be completed with extreme care and an exquisite eye to the smallest of details.

Millwork adds uniqueness and variety to a home or other space. The completion of millwork is a detailed process through its blueprint, plastic, metal, and moulding stages, and as a result, certain companies outpace others in terms of quality. J. Gibson McIlvain Lumber Company guarantees maintenance of a full line of millwork capabilities in house. For more information on McIlvain’s millwork capabilities and their extensive lumber supply, visit their website at www.mcilvain.com.