571-323-3636
ANSI/AWI 0620-2024 - Finish Carpentry/Installation
3.4 Aesthetic
a) Aesthetic performance, in relation to this standard, refers to and is an evaluation of exposed and semi-exposed surfaces following installation.
b) The three levels of aesthetic s are Premium, Custom, and Economy:
| Premium Grade | Custom Grade | |
|---|---|---|
| The aesthetic grade defining the highest degree of control over materials, workmanship, and installation. | The aesthetic grade defining a high degree of control over materials, workmanship, and installation. | The aesthetic grade defining the minimum degree of control over materials, workmanship, and installation. |
c) Hardware shall be installed per manufacturer/supplier’s documented instructions and without tear-out of surrounding material. All hardware shall be installed using the furnished fasteners and fastener provisions.
d) When fastener provision is countersunk, fasteners shall be countersunk.
e) All hardware shall be adjusted for correct and smooth operation.
f) Fastener in pre-finished Product shall be filled by the with matching filler furnished by the manufacturer/supplier, except at semi-exposed surfaces.
g) Field joints, if filled, shall be filled with color-compatible material.
h) Repairs shall be inconspicuous.
3.4.1 Tolerances
3.4.1.1 Gaps at Field Joints
a) See Figure 6-I, Figure 30-I, Figure 51-I, Figure 52-I, Figure 53-I.
b) Gaps shall not exceed 30% of a joint’s length.
c) at flat and shaped surfaces shall not exceed:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| .4 mm [.016”] | .8 mm [.031”] | 1.2 mm [.047”] |
d) at flat and shaped surfaces shall not exceed:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| .8 mm [.031”] | 1.6 mm [.063”] | 2.4 mm [.094”] |
e) at flat surfaces shall not exceed:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| .8 mm [.031”] | 1.6 mm [.063”] | 2.4 mm [.094”] |
f) Non-wood to non-wood at shaped surfaces shall not exceed:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| 1.6 mm [.063”] | 2.4 mm [.094”] | 3.2 mm [.125”] |
3.4.1.2 Flushness Variations at Field Joints
a) See Figure 7-J, Figure 30-J, Figure 51-J, Figure 52-J, Figure 53-J.
b) Wood to wood at flat surfaces shall not exceed:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| .4 mm [.016”] | .8 mm [.031”] | 1.2 mm [.047”] |
c) Wood to wood at shaped surfaces shall not exceed:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| .8 mm [.031”] | 1.2 mm [.047”] | 1.6 mm [.063”] |
d) Wood to non-wood at flat and shaped surfaces shall not exceed:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| .8 mm [.031”] | 1.2 mm [.047”] | 1.6 mm [.063”] |
e) Non-wood to non-wood at flat surfaces shall not exceed:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| .8 mm [.031”] | 1.2 mm [.047”] | 1.6 mm [.063”] |
f) Non-wood to non-wood at shaped surfaces shall not exceed:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| 1.2 mm [.047”] | 1.6 mm [.063”] | 3.2 mm [.125”] |
3.4.1.3 Transparent-Finished Product
a) Wood to wood veneer shall be installed:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| Well-matched for color and grain | Compatible for color and | Compatible for color |
b) Wood veneer to solid stock shall be installed:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| Well-matched for grain and compatible for color | Compatible for color and grain | Compatible for color |
c) Solid stock to solid stock shall be installed:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| Well-matched for color and grain | Compatible for color and grain | Compatible for color |
3.4.2 Casework
a) cabinets shall be installed so that the gaps between cabinets do not exceed the gap tolerances listed in 3.4.1.1 Gaps at , herein.
b) Adjacent cabinet units shall be installed to maintain the flush alignment of the cabinet box edges within the tolerance for flushness listed in 3.4.1.2 Flushness at Field s, herein.
c) Reveals between the edges of doors and drawer fronts and finished ends (See Figure 43, Figure 44, Figure 45, Figure 46) shall be uniform conforming to manufacturer/ supplier’s documented instructions. In the absence of manufacturer/supplier’s documented instructions, installer shall follow the clearances and tolerances set forth within 3.4.2 Casework, herein.
d) ) For fasteners through exposed interior surfaces, cover caps of compatible color to cabinet interior finish are:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| Required | Required | Not required |
e) Exposed fasteners at exposed exterior surfaces are not permitted, except at s.
3.4.2.1 Edge and Face Alignment
a) Edge alignment of doors, drawer fronts, and false fronts (See Figure 30-N) in both the vertical and horizontal plane, not to exceed:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| .8 mm [.031”] | 1.2 mm [.047”] | 1.6 mm [.063”] |
b) Doors, drawer fronts, and false fronts shall be on the same plane as one another (See Figure 30-J), not to exceed:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| .8 mm [.031”] | 1.6 mm [.063”] | 3.2 mm [.125”] |
3.4.2.2 Cabinet Reveal Variance, Reveal Overlay Frameless
a) The maximum uniform reveal (See Figure 43) within a cabinet elevation between any edge of a door and/or drawer and another door and/or drawer or finished end, and between doors hung in pairs, shall be:
• “X” shall be 3.2 mm [.125”], subject to a maximum uniform variance of:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| +/- .8 mm [.031”] | +/- 1.6 mm [.063”] | +/- 2.4 mm [.094”] |
- “Y” shall be determined by the hinge overlay.
- “Z” varies 3.2 mm [.125”] to 9.6 mm [.378”] and shall be consistent across elevations. However, for laboratory countertops, reveal at “Z” may be as much as 25.4 mm [1”] to permit attachment of laboratory equipment (See Figure 17).
3.4.2.3 Cabinet Reveal Variance, Flush Overlay Frameless
a) The maximum uniform reveal (See Figure 44) within a cabinet elevation between any edge of a door and/or drawer and another door and/or drawer or finished end, and between doors hung in pairs, shall be:
• “X” shall not exceed 3.2 mm [.125”].
• “Y” shall not exceed 1.6 mm [.063”].
• “X” and “Y” are subject to a maximum uniform variance of:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| +/- .8 mm [.031”] | +/- 1.6 mm [.063”] | +/- 2.4 mm [.094”] |
• “Z” varies from 3.2 mm [.125”] to 9.6 mm [.378”] and shall be consistent across elevations. However, for laboratory countertops, reveal at “Z” may be as much as 25.4 mm [1”] to permit attachment of laboratory equipment (See Figure 17).
3.4.2.4 Cabinet Reveal Variance, Reveal Overlay Face Frame
a) The maximum uniform reveal (See Figure 45) within a cabinet elevation between any edge of a door and/or drawer and another door and/or drawer or cabinet component, and between doors hung in pairs, shall be:
• “X” shall not exceed 3.2 mm [.125”], subject to a maximum uniform variance of:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| +/- .8 mm [.031”] | +/- 1.6 mm [.063”] | +/- 2.4 mm [.094”] |
• “Y” shall be as specified, indicated, or agreed.
• “Z” varies from 6.4 mm [.250”] to 25.4 mm [1”] and shall be consistent across elevations.
3.4.2.5 Cabinet Reveal Variance, Inset Face Frame
a) The maximum uniform reveal (See Figure 46) within a cabinet elevation between any edge of a door and/or drawer and another door and/or drawer or cabinet component, and between doors hung in pairs, shall be:
• “X” shall not exceed 3.2 mm [.125”], subject to a maximum uniform variance of:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| +/- .8 mm [.031”] | +/- 1.6 mm [.063”] | +/- 2.4 mm [.094”] |
• “Y” and “Z” shall be as specified, indicated or agreed.
3.4.2.6 Warp
a) As a lineal ratio per 305 mm [12”], Product (See Figure 5-e), including doors, shall not exceed:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| .8 mm [.031”] or portion thereof | 1.2 mm [.047”] or portion thereof | 1.6 mm [.063”] or portion thereof |
(Measurements for warp shall be taken on the concave face of the panel.)
b) Cabinet doors shall not exceed a maximum of 6.4 mm [.250”] in any single door.
3.4.2.7 Scribes, Fillers, and Closure Panels
a) Casework shall be scribed to finished walls and/or ceiling using integral scribes, scribe fillers, or ing at voids between cabinets and adjacent walls or ceiling.
b) Fillers at inside corners where two elevations of casework meet shall be equal in width and not wider than 76.2 mm [3”], unless required for hardware clearance during operation. For transparent-finished material, the selection of material at exposed surfaces shall meet requirements for color and grain as outlined in 3.4.1.3 Transparent-Finished Product, herein.
c) Scribe fillers (See Figure 8), scribe moulding, (See Figure 9) and scribe allowance (See Figure 10) shall be:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| Scribe moulding not permitted | Scribe fillers or moulding permitted | No requirement |
| Scribe moulding ends at flat surfaces shall be butt joined | ||
| Scribe moulding at corners shall be mitered or d | ||
| Open ends of scribe moulding shall be beveled | ||
| Maximum installed width of scribe fillers shall be 50.8 mm [2”] | Maximum installed width of scribe fillers or moulding shall be 76.2 mm [3”] | |
| Exposed ends shall be edgebanded | Exposed ends shall be edgebanded | |
| Color compatible permitted (not to exceed 3.2 mm [.125”]) | Color compatible caulk permitted (not to exceed 3.2 mm [.125”]) |
d) Scribe filler may be set flush with abutting surface or set back a maximum of 3.2 mm [.125”] subject to a maximum variance of +/- .8 mm [.031”]. Scribe joinery shall be consistent across elevations.
e) Joints are not permitted in material less than 2438 mm [96”].
f) Scribes, fillers, and exposed surfaces of closure panels shall match exposed surfaces in color, texture, and pattern.
g) Permissible gap width between wall and cabinet at back bottom edge of wallhung cabinet shall not exceed:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| 6.4 mm [.250”] (Scribe moulding permitted) | 6.4 mm [.250”] (Scribe moulding permitted) | 12.7 mm [.500”] |
h) Closure panels shall be provided to cover concealed, semi-exposed, and exposed voids on tall and wall cabinets, including angle turns at the tops of tall and wall cabinets and the bottoms of wall cabinets. Closure panels shall not create a visible edge and shall be securely attached (See Figure 41 and Figure 42).
3.4.3 Wall and Ceiling Surface Paneling
a) As a lineal ratio per 305 mm [12”] in the diagonal, width, and/or length, warp of Product (See Figure 5-E) shall not exceed:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| .8 mm [.031”] or portion thereof | 1.2 mm [.047”] or portion thereof | 1.6 mm [.063”] or portion thereof |
(Measurements for warp shall be taken on the concave face of the panel.)
Example: A panel with dimensions of 813 mm [32”] x 1219 mm [48”], as illustrated (See Figure 5-E) will have a diagonal measurement of 1465 mm [57.689”]. In custom grade, the maximum distance between the string and the face of the panel will be 5.8 mm. (1465 mm / 305 mm x 1.2 mm = 5.8 mm [57.689” / 12” x .047” = .226”])
b) Joints between panels shall be:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| Mitered at outside corners as prepared by manufacturer | Mitered at outside corners as prepared by manufacturer | Outside corners at the option of the installer |
| Overlapped at inside corners for flat surfaces and scribed | Overlapped at inside corners for flat surfaces and scribed | Inside corners at the option of the installer |
| Coped at inside corners for shaped surfaces | Coped at inside corners for shaped surfaces | Inside corners at the option of the installer |
c) Panels shall be installed so that gaps do not exceed the gap tolerances listed in 3.4.1.1 Gaps at Field Joints.
- Fasteners shall be concealed whenever possible. When exposed fastening is necessary and permitted, fasteners and fastening shall include the use of finish nails, trim screws, staples, or pins. Fasteners with a diameter/width exceeding 4.8 mm [.188”] are not permitted.
- Exposed fasteners shall be inconspicuous.
- Screws are permitted as exposed fasteners at removable panels.
d) Exposed fasteners shall be countersunk through the exposed material surface, kept to a minimum, and shall be:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| Set in s and s where possible | Set in quirks and reliefs where possible | Set in quirks and reliefs at the option of the installer |
e) Wall and ceiling surfacing shall be scribed:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| At abutting surfaces | At flat abutting surfaces | At the option of the installer |
f) Reveals at adjoining panels (See Figure 13-K) shall not exceed a maximum variance of:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| .8 mm [.031”] | 1.2 mm [.047”] | 1.6 mm [.063”] |
g) Flushness at adjoining panels (See Figure 14-L) shall not exceed a maximum variance of:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| .8 mm [.031”] | 1.2 mm [.047”] | 1.6 mm [.063”] |
h) Scratches and chip-out shall be inconspicuous.
3.4.3.1 Veneer
a) When end match is specified, the installed end match misalignment of veneer between sequenced s shall not exceed:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| 5 mm [.197”] | 10 mm [.393”] | No requirement |
3.4.3.2 Decorative Laminate
a) When end match is specified, the installed end match misalignment at patterned panels shall not exceed:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| 5 mm [.197”] | 10 mm [.393”] | No requirement |
3.4.3.3 Solid Surface
a) Sealants and adhesives shall be used per sheet material manufacturer’s recommendations.
b) Seamed joints shall be machined and assembled in accordance with sheet material manufacturer’s recommended seaming procedures.
c) Joints shall be:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| Seamed with compatible hard seam adhesive, where permitted by building design and sheet material manufacturer recommendations | Caulked with compatible colormatched sealant, where permitted by building design and sheet material manufacturer recommendations | At the option of the installer, as permitted by building design and sheet material manufacturer recommendations |
3.4.3.4 Solid Phenolic
a) Sealants and adhesives shall be used per sheet material manufacturer’s recommendations.
b) Seamed joints shall be machined and assembled in accordance with sheet material manufacturer’s recommended seaming procedures.
c) Seamed joints shall provide panel movement in both horizontal and vertical directions.
3.4.4 Catalog and Made-to-Order Mouldings (Standing and Running Trim)
a) Outside corners shall be mitered.
b) Inside corners shall be:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| Coped | Coped | Mitered or butted |
| Mitered for | Mitered or butted for S4S |
c.) Running joints on multi-component trim shall be staggered a minimum of 610 mm [24”] from joints in adjacent components.
d) Joinery of standing and requires:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| Exposed trimmed ends shall be miter returned | Exposed trimmed ends shall be profiled or miter returned | Exposed trimmed ends at the option of the installer |
| Multiple joints in running trim shall not be within 1219 mm [48”] of another joint in the run, including corners | Multiple joints in running trim shall not be within 914 mm [36”] of another joint in the run, including corners | Multiple joints in running trim shall not be within 610 mm [24”] of another joint in the run, including corners |
e) Fasteners and fastening include the use of finish nails, trim screws, staples, pins, and/ or construction adhesive for inconspicuous fastening. Staples with a crown exceeding 4.8 mm [.188”] are not permitted.
f) Exposed fasteners shall be inconspicuous.
g) Exposed fasteners shall be countersunk through the exposed material surface, kept to a minimum, and shall be:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| Set in quirks and reliefs where possible | Set in quirks and reliefs where possible | Fastener placement at the option of the installer |
h) Unless otherwise specified by the contract documents, scribing of baseboard to floor is not required.
3.4.5 Passage Doors (Within Integrated Door Systems)
a) Products with matching requirements shall be installed per manufacturer/supplier’s documented instructions.
b) Doors and their accessories shall be hung plumb and level within 1.6 mm [.063”] of the height and width of the door assembly.
c) Pairs of doors, when closed, shall be within 1.6 mm [.063”] of flush at the meeting edge.
d) Trim applied to passage doors in the field shall be installed within 3.4.1 Tolerances, herein.
3.4.6 Countertops
a) Countertops shall be installed within +/- 6.4 mm [.250”] of the height specified.
b) Horizontal reveal between the lower edge of countertop and the upper edge of the cabinet door or drawer front shall be determined from manufacturer/supplier’s documented instructions and be maintained throughout the project.
c) If detail is not provided, installer shall default to the following: a consistent reveal 6.4 mm [.250”] +/- 3.2 mm [.125”], with the exception of laboratory casework, which shall be 6.4 mm [.250”] to 25.4 mm [1”] and shall be consistent across elevations, except at sink locations.
d) Countertops shall be scribed to the wall within:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| .8 mm [.031″] | 1.2 mm [.047″] | 1.6 mm [.063″] |
e) Field joints shall be tight and flush within the tolerances listed in 3.4.1.1 Gaps at Field Joints and 3.4.1.2 Flushness Variations at Field Joints, herein.
f) Overhang shall be determined by manufacturer/supplier’s documented instructions and be consistent. If overhang detail is not provided, installer shall default to the following:
- Overhang shall be consistent within a minimum of 12.7 mm [.500″] and a maximum of 31.8 mm [1.250″] over the outermost and finished end, except at appliance ends.
- Overhang shall be uniform and parallel with the cabinet within 4.8 mm [.188″] along the entire elevation.
- At appliance ends, overhang shall be a maximum of 6.4 mm [.250″].
g) Cutouts and holes shall be provided for as indicated in the manufacturer/supplier’s documented instructions.
3.4.6.1 Decorative Laminate
a) Scratches and chip-out shall be inconspicuous.
b) Field cutouts for sinks and other locations subject to excessive moisture shall have the edges sealed with tinted (for verification), water-resistant , sealant or caulk before trim or sink rims are installed.
c) Assembly Type 1 – Wall Mount Splash (See Figure 11): In wall mount back and end (es) shall be caulked with clear (or color-compatible) caulk to the countertop so as to leave a uniform bead not to exceed 3.2 mm [.125”] in width along the joint, including the vertical joint at the end splash to the back splash.
d) Assembly Type 2 – Countertop Mount Splash (See Figure 12): In countertop mount back and end splash construction, exposed splash top and ends shall be scribed to the adjacent wall surface. Unbacked scribe spans shall not exceed 12.7 mm [.500”]. Splash components shall be caulked with clear (or colorcompatible) caulk between the countertop and splash edge so as to leave a uniform bead not to exceed 3.2 mm [.125”] in width along the joint.
e) Gaps at walls (See Figure 6-I) for Assembly Type 2 shall not exceed:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| .8 mm [.031”] | 1.2 mm [.047”] | 1.6 mm [.063”] |
f) Overlap at field-applied laminate (See Figure 23-f) shall not exceed:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| .1 mm [.004”] for a maximum length of 25.4 mm [1”] in any 1219 mm [48”] run | .1 mm [.004”] for a maximum length of 25.4 mm [1”] in any 610 mm [24”] run | .2 mm [.008”] for a maximum length of 50.8 mm [2”] in any 305 mm [12”] run |
g) Over-filing of field-applied laminate resulting in removal of color or pattern of face material (See Figure 25-H) shall be limited to:
| Premium | Custom | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| .8 mm x 38.1 mm [.031” x 1.5”] and may not occur within 1829 mm [72”] of a similar occurrence | .8 mm x 76.2 mm [.031” x 3”] and may not occur within 1524 mm [60”] of a similar occurrence | 2.4 mm x 152.4 mm [.094” x 6”] and may not occur within 1219 mm [48”] of a similar occurrence |
3.4.6.2 Solid Surface
a) When not hard-seamed, back and end splash joints shall be filled with water resistant clear (or color-compatible) caulk so as to leave a uniform bead not to exceed 3.2 mm [.125”] in width along the joint, including the vertical joint at the end splash to the back splash.
3.4.6.3 Epoxy Resin
a) For under-mount sinks, the maximum gap between the countertop edge of the sink and the underside of the countertop shall not exceed 4.8 mm [.188”].
b) Joints shall be butt joined and filled with a color matched adhesive recommended by the sheet material manufacturer/supplier.
c) Back and end splashes shall be wall mounted and butt joined to the countertop with water-resistant clear (or color-compatible) caulk so as to leave a uniform bead not to exceed 3.2 mm [.125”] in width along the joint, including the vertical joint at the end splash to the back splash.
3.4.6.4 Natural / Engineered Stone
a) For under-mount sinks, the maximum gap between the countertop edge of the sink and the underside of the countertop shall not exceed 4.8 mm [.188”].
b) Joints shall be butt joined and filled with a color matched adhesive recommended by the slab distributor.
a) Back and end splashes shall be wall mounted and ed, to the countertop with water-resistant clear (or color-compatible) caulk so as to leave a uniform bead not to exceed 3.2 mm [.125”] in width along the joint, including the vertical joint at the end splash to the back splash.
3.4.6.5 Solid and Veneered Wood
a) At miter and butt joints, including back and end splashes, clear water-resistant caulk is required so as to leave a uniform bead not to exceed 3.2 mm [.125”] in width along the joint, including the vertical joint at the end splash to the back splash.
3.4.6.6 Solid Phenolic
a) Back and end splashes shall be wall mounted and butt joined to the countertop with water-resistant clear (or color-compatible) caulk so as to leave a uniform bead not to exceed 3.2 mm [.125”] in width along the joint, including the vertical joint at the end splash to the back splash.
3.4.7 Wood Stair, Handrail, and Guard Systems
a) Shall be installed in accordance with ANSI/AWI/SMA 0643 Wood Stair, Handrail, and Guard Systems (latest edition).
