The backbone of almost any historic structure — residential or commercial — is wood. While many historic buildings were built using brick or stone, these structures used timber as the basis for durable, reliable roof and frame construction. As such, historic carpenters are an extremely vital and necessary part of a successful historic restoration.
While the carpentry skills and techniques used in the construction of new structures can certainly be applied to the historic restoration space, restoring and preserving historic carpentry requires a higher level of craftsmanship and greater attention to detail. This kind of carpentry work also demands a better understanding of historic processes and materials to fabricate new carpentry elements that maintain the authenticity and integrity of the structure.
To better help those interested in pursuing a career in this kind of restoration work, let’s take a brief look at what a career in historic carpentry really looks like, and how the Renaissance approach to restoring historic properties helps skilled tradespeople craft an exciting career working on once-in-a-lifetime projects.
What kind of restoration work do historic carpenters do?
Historic carpentry requires knowledge and experience with interior and exterior wood or timber components, both aesthetic and structural. This can range from restoring detailed woodworking and historic adornments to reframing timber roofs or domes. Historic carpenters use state-of-the-art technology and construction materials to restore the original glory of building features like:
- Frame and structural elements
- Roof decking
- Built-in gutter reframing
- Siding, trim, and other exterior components
- Posts, beams, and other interior elements
Restoring these aspects of historic carpentry demands a high degree of skill with hand tools in order to preserve intricate, hand-carved details of features like banisters, archways, staircases, and more. Our approach to historic carpentry takes this exceptional level of craftsmanship to the next level; we train and guide our carpenters on related areas of historic restoration, some of which include working on dormers, soffits, and fascia.
Part of the Renaissance restoration philosophy is the idea that every part of a historic structure is connected, and, as such, we strive to ensure our historic carpenters are well-rounded technicians that can apply their craft in other areas to help execute higher-quality work.
For example, the restoration of this historic residence in St. Louis, Missouri required our historic carpenters to work closely with our historic roofing and architectural sheet metal teams to fabricate custom roofing and framing pieces to help ensure the historical and structural integrity of the property for future generations.
what kind of skills are required for a career in historic carpentry?
One important element that differentiates our approach to historic carpentry from other contractors is our dedication to lifelong learning and empowering our restoration specialists to develop and grow their skills. Our project managers and carpentry foremen mentor our historic carpenters to help expand their toolboxes and diversify the kinds of unique residential and commercial properties we can restore.
At Renaissance, our historic carpenters need:
- At least two years of wood framing and carpentry finishing experience on residential and historical properties
- The ability to build or repair doors and frameworks using woodworking machines, carpenter's hand tools, and power tools
- The ability to perform steep slope roofing activities
- The capability to shape or cut materials using hand tools, machines, or power saws
Our historic carpentry team has received a number of national awards and recognitions, some of which include Gold Circle Award nominations from the National Roofing Contractors Association. What’s more, our industry-leading safety program helps ensure our historic carpenters work in a safe, productive environment.
A historic carpentry career with Renaissance provides a rewarding opportunity for skilled, dedicated carpenters and tradespeople to craft a career built on restoring historic, once-in-a-lifetime structures for decades to come. Learn more about our current career opportunities and join the Renaissance Historic Exteriors team.
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