Layout of Construction Drawings 157
6.8 MISCELLANEOUS DRAWINGS.
Millwork.
Millwork refers to custom, shop-built wood components for interior-finish construction for both residen-
tial and commercial work. These are items such as custom wood chair rails, bases, built-in bookcases,
paneling, doors, cash units, display fixtures, and so on.
The project interior designer or architect produces the millwork drawings. These drawings provide
information about each custom-designed piece. Styles, dimensions, types of wood, finishes, and desired
details are drawn and noted.
Millwork items are primarily built of wood, although glass and metal parts may also be included
within a fixture. For example, a cabinet for entertainment equipment can have a metal swivel device for
the television and a metal rack for DVD storage. A display case may have a wood base with a glass
showcase on top.
Wood may include solid wood, wood veneer, MDF, particle board, or plywood. Information on the
drawing indicates the specific type of wood—maple, pine, oak, etc.—and whether it is solid or veneer.
The finish is also noted—stained, lacquered, or laminate, for example.
On smaller projects, millwork drawings are typically pages within the construction-drawing set. On
larger projects it is common practice to create a separate set of drawings. As a separate set the pricing
and construction process is simplified. The company working on this portion of the project has all items
clearly laid out.
A separate set of drawings also works well for chain stores. The head office will have the custom fix-
tures designed and drawn. They will then contract out large quantities of standard fixtures directly to a
woodworking shop. This enables them to mass-produce items for their stores, such as cash units or dis-
play cases. By producing more than one at a time they are able to negotiate a better overall price.
Typically, the general contractor subcontracts the millwork portion of a project to a woodworking
company. The contracted company will produce shop drawings when a request is noted on the design
drawings. Shop drawings show exact construction methods in detail, including the finish. They are sub-
mitted to the interior designer or architect for approval before building starts. This ensures that items are
built as intended for the project. Approved shop drawings are then used for building.
Figures 6.23A,B and C show examples of millwork drawings. The drawings have been reduced to
fit on the page and are meant only to provide an overview and not to show specific information.
The drawings will typically show a plan view of the item. Front, side, and rear elevations are used
when required to explain the shape. Sections are used when necessary to provide information for vari-
ous segments. All are dimensioned. Specific materials and finishes are noted.
Shop-fabricated units are preassembled in the shop and shipped to their location in one piece. Field-
installed components such as baseboards are shipped in lengths to the job site. They are put in place
and fitted on site, using metal fastenings such as screws or blind nailing in combination with the joint.
Details.
Architectural details are essentially enlarged drawings of specific construction assemblies and are nor-
mally provided by the architect or structural engineer. Their main purpose is to offer greater clarification
and understanding where required to implement a project. Contractors frequently request additional con-
struction details during the execution stage. When an area of construction is drawn to a larger scale in