Custom Millwork in New Orleans
Creating Art in New Orleans
Custom millwork is the art of creating wood elements — doors, trim, molding, stair parts, cabinets, and more — specifically made for your home or business. It’s not pre-made or one-size-fits-all. Everything is built to fit your space perfectly. Think of it like tailoring a suit: the fit, the look, and the finish are made just for you.
Custom Millwork in New Orleans
Every project starts with a conversation. Many homeowners come to us with an old piece in their hand — maybe a broken door casing or an old molding from their porch. They want it replaced but want it to match the original style.
Custom millwork New Orleans lets us recreate or design unique wood details that suit your home. Whether it’s a delicate trim for a shotgun house in Mid-City or a bold, classic column for a commercial property in the Warehouse District, we build it to fit exactly right.
Quality woodwork doesn’t just look good. It protects your home. Tight-fitting frames, properly milled trims, and solid joinery help keep out moisture — which is no small thing when hurricane season hits Louisiana.
Woodworking Services in New Orleans
Woodworking is more than cutting and nailing boards together. It’s shaping, joining, and finishing wood so it looks beautiful and lasts for years.
Our woodworking services cover everything from molding and paneling to doors, mantels, beams, and railings. Some projects are about restoration — like recreating a hand-carved trim piece for a 1920s home. Others are new builds, like modern clean-line designs for a renovated loft in the Bywater.
We use solid wood that holds up to local humidity and shifting weather. And every joint and angle is cut to fit — not forced into place. That’s why real millwork often outlasts prefab parts by decades.
Cabinet Making in New Orleans
Cabinets are often the first thing people notice when they walk into a kitchen or bathroom. Well-made, solid wood cabinets bring warmth and value to a space.
In New Orleans, many older homes have kitchens that weren’t built for modern life. That’s why custom cabinets make such a difference. They let you use every inch of space while keeping the style true to the house. Some clients ask for classic shaker doors. Others want elegant raised panels to match original millwork elsewhere in the home.
And because cabinets face a lot of moisture — especially in Louisiana’s climate — quality wood and joinery are key. Custom cabinets can be built to handle that, unlike cheap alternatives that warp after one hot summer.
Commercial Millwork
For businesses, the way a space looks matters. Commercial millwork adds structure, style, and polish. Think of solid wood counters in a boutique, detailed trim in a restaurant, or custom doors for a hotel lobby. These pieces don’t just serve a function — they tell a story.
In recent years, more business owners in areas like Downtown and the Marigny have chosen to invest in custom wood details because they last longer than mass-produced options. After a storm, it’s often the custom pieces that can be repaired rather than replaced.
For example, one local café owner shared how their custom wood bar held up after heavy winds and water came through their street. A quick sanding and reseal — and it looked as good as new.
Residential Millwork
Residential millwork is where history and everyday life meet. Homes across New Orleans are full of architectural details: arched doorways, ceiling beams, porch columns, and stair rails. When one piece is damaged or missing, it can throw off the whole feel of the house.
We help homeowners bring those details back. Sometimes it’s copying an original molding. Other times, it’s designing something new that fits the home’s character. In neighborhoods like Lakeview or Gentilly, where homes are often rebuilt or remodeled after hurricanes, residential millwork helps blend old charm with new construction.
Wood also ages beautifully. Over time, custom millwork in New Orleans builds a patina that tells your home’s story. It’s not just a decoration — it’s a legacy.
Why Custom Millwork Matters in Louisiana
Louisiana’s climate is tough. Heat, humidity, and hurricane-force winds can be brutal on cheap materials. Real wood, when crafted right, can handle it better. Custom pieces are fit precisely, sealed correctly, and built to stand up to the elements.
Local woodworkers also know how to design for this climate. It’s common to see storm-resistant doors, moisture-controlled joinery, and special finishes that help protect against mold and rot. When you work with someone local, you’re not just buying wood — you’re buying knowledge of what works here.
A Craft Rooted in New Orleans
Millwork has deep roots in New Orleans’ history. Walk through the Garden District and you’ll see hand-carved columns, balconies, and shutters that have been standing for over a hundred years. Many of these details were made by local craftsmen who understood the wood, the weather, and the architecture.
Today, the craft continues. Homeowners and business owners who care about their buildings choose custom millwork New Orleans not just because it looks good — but because it lasts.
Let’s Build Something That Lasts
Wood tells a story — one that starts with craftsmanship and ends with a home or business that feels solid, warm, and truly yours.
If you’re ready to bring those details to life, reach out to Franklin Design LLC for custom millwork in New Orleans. Whether you need cabinet making, woodworking services, or detailed residential and commercial millwork, we’re here to help build something that stands strong — storm after storm.
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