AWI and AWMAC have announced new Woodwork Standards effective from July 1st, 2017. It is advised that these standards should be the benchmark when millwork design projects are specified.

Toronto, ON – July 24th, 2017 – The Architectural Woodwork Manufacturers Association of Canada (AWMAC) and American Woodwork Institute (AWI) have collaborated for creating a single woodwork standard across North America. The new Architectural Woodwork Standards are in effect from July 1st, 2017.

It is advised that these standards should be the benchmark when millwork design projects are specified to ensure top quality of millwork.

Overview of Millwork Standards 2017

The AWMAC and AWI entered a mutual agreement on 3rd March, 2016 for developing new woodworking standards for North America. They announced the new North American Architectural Woodwork Standards 3.1. The millwork standards took effect from July 1st, 2017.

The need for establishing new standards arose after a dispute over ANSI standards with AWI, Virginia. AWI released a statement last year, following the dispute:

“In the best interest of the woodwork industry and to preserve the partnership with WI and AWMAC, AWI offered leadership roles to both organizations. In an attempt to move forward with a jointly sponsored standard, AWI diligently negotiated throughout 2015 with both WI and AWMAC but sadly, agreement was not reached between the three industry associations.”

NAAWS 3.1 – Specifications

The NAAWS 3.1 is forward-focused and comprehensive, and builds on previous woodworking standards. It replaces the AWI and AWMAC’s previous standards, commonly referred to as Architectural Woodwork Standards.

The revised millwork standards include upgraded and enhanced benchmarks for:

1. Cabinet hardware

2. Seismic casework installations

3. Non-traditional and reclaimed materials

4. Laboratorial caseworks

5. Anti-microbial surfaces

Some of the other features of NAAWS 3.1 include:

• Improved, easy-to-use formatting, multicolor visual aids, besides other interactive features.

• Additions and improvement to the Second Edition of Architectural Woodworking Standards.

• The digital copies are available for limited use by design professionals, contractors, fabricators, installers, building owners and educational community for free. One can avail the free copies after registering at AWMAC’s official site.

• Available in English and French.

For those wanting to understand the new NAAWS manual, Nick Anastas, Guarantee and Inspection Service Director (GIS), AWMAC will deliver a presentation at the Woodworking Machinery & Supply Conference & Expo on November 3rd, 2017 in Mississauga, Toronto. You can register here to attend.

At BluEntCAD, we make sure to keep ourselves up to date with new standards and benchmarks for delivering quality products to our valued clients. You can get in touch with our sales team to know more!