Architectural Woodwork Standards

Since 1953, the Woodwork Institute has published eleven editions of its Manual of Millwork; however, in September 2007, the Woodwork Institute entered into a historical agreement with the Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI), and the Architectural Woodwork Manufacturers Association of Canada (AWMAC), forming a Joint Standards Committee (JSC). Established as a separate entity, the JSC was empowered to create, maintain, update, and clarify as needed, a single architectural woodwork standard.

The resulting Architectural Woodwork Standards (AWS), represents the best of what all three organizations have to offer in defining the minimum requirements for material and workmanship, and for the fabrication and installation of architectural woodwork. The Architectural Woodwork Standards, 1st Edition, has been adopted and published jointly as the successor, replacement, and latest edition to AWI/AWMAC's Quality Standards Illustrated (QSI), and WI's Manual of Millwork (MM), effective October 1, 2009.

The AWS is an industry standard for architectural millwork in which the materials, fabrication, workmanship, installation, and aesthetics are established dependent on the Grade or Grades specified, while providing the design professional, fabricator, and installer flexibility in delivering the owner's desired results. Standards afford an assurance of quality materials, fabrication, and installation consistent with economic utilization of resources for the Grade(s) selected; however, enforcement is limited to the contract documents. Discovery of deficiencies or items of noncompliance, as well as acceptance of the overall appearance, must be borne by the design professional, which can result in unplanned added costs and time delays.

Use of the AWS clearly and completely defines all materials and joinery; fosters fair competition with all bidders using one standard of quality; prohibits the substitution of unknown or inferior materials and/or joinery; takes the ‘guess work’ out of ‘or equal’ clauses; and is non-discriminatory. The AWS and inspection services are available to all bidders, whether or not they are members.

A design professional may, but only by means of the drawings and/or specifications, modify any and all Grades. Such modifications shall govern and take precedence over the Grade rules, and any inspection and/or re-inspection shall be made based on these modifications.

Maintenance of the AWS is a dynamic, ongoing endeavor which requires your support by advising us on possible errors, confusing or ambiguous statements, conflicts, new products and/or procedures, etc. Please use a copy of the suggestion form for any improvement suggestions. The suggestions will be thoroughly reviewed and considered for future updates.