The Architectural Woodwork Institute has released the new ANSI/AWI 0641-2019 Architectural Wood Casework Standard, opening the door for innovation and cost saving opportunities, according to the organization.

“Of all AWI Standards, the new Architectural Wood Casework Standard is the largest section of forthcoming ANSI/AWI Standards that has greatest impact of change for woodworkers,” says AWI president Tyler Cerny, president of Strata Design.

The new standard, which took effect June 1, encompasses a variety of architectural wood casework, including wood veneer-faced architectural cabinets, plastic laminate-clad architectural cabinets, and cabinet and drawer hardware as specified under Construction Specification Institute Master Format Division 6. “It establishes structural and aesthetic tolerances for each of those applications, ensuring that the final product is of the utmost quality with regards to the specified visual appeal and structural integrity,” according to the AWI.

In previous AWI Standards, a casework unit’s aesthetic and structural requirements were lumped together under three grades: Economy, Custom and Premium. In ANSI/AWI 0641, characteristics are divided into Aesthetics (Economy, Custom and Premium grades) and Structural Performance (Duty Levels 1, 2, 3, 4).

The Duty Levels are performance-based and are a way to promote manufacturing capabilities, according to AWI Technical Committee Chair Greg Lutz, president of Lutz Woodworks.

“For example, if a woodworker believes their proprietary way of building a cabinet can meet new Duty Levels identified in 0641, they may have the product tested for compliance with the Standard, and they can submit their test reports to the customer. Testing either at AWI National Testing Center or at an independent laboratory could improve their competitive advantage in the marketplace,” Lutz says.

For more, visit www.awinet.org. 

This article originally appeared in the August 2020 issue.