Commercial millwork projects operate under a different set of constraints than residential work — tighter timelines, stricter code requirements, higher durability demands, and often a more complex approval chain. We've been doing this long enough to know how to navigate all of it.
What commercial millwork involves
Commercial millwork covers a wide range: restaurant and hospitality buildouts, retail fixtures and display systems, office reception desks and conference rooms, hotel guestroom and amenity space joinery. What these projects share is that they're designed to be used heavily by people who aren't the owner, which means durability and finish longevity matter more than almost anything else.
Designing for office
Materials. Commercial applications often require fire-rated substrates, particularly in wall-mounted applications in public spaces. We work with fire-rated MDF, Type X gypsum-backed panels, and intumescent coatings depending on what the local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) requires. We pull our own permits and coordinate inspections.
Finishes. In high-touch commercial environments, finish durability is paramount. We use catalyzed lacquer, UV-cured finishes, and two-part polyurethane coatings that are significantly harder than residential-grade products. Edges and corners get extra attention — these are where finishes fail first.
Lead time and scheduling. Commercial projects typically require coordination with general contractors, electrical and plumbing trades, and sometimes union labor requirements in New York City. We've worked in union and open-shop environments and understand how to schedule around phased construction.
Documentation. Commercial projects require shop drawings approved by the architect and/or client before fabrication. We produce detailed CAD drawings showing every component, dimension, and material. This slows the front end of a project and saves significant time and cost on the back end.
Our commercial work
We've completed millwork packages for restaurants in Manhattan and Brooklyn, retail spaces in New Jersey and New York, and corporate offices throughout the tri-state area. Each project is staffed by the same team that handles our residential work — there's no separate commercial division, which means the same standards apply to everything we build.
Inquire about a commercial project — we're happy to discuss scope, timeline, and what a commercial millwork engagement with épure looks like.
Our commercial capabilities
épure millwork has completed commercial millwork packages ranging from single-unit restaurant bar counters to full buildouts across multiple floors. Our shop in Little Falls is equipped for both production runs and one-off custom work.
What we can handle:
- Restaurant millwork: host stations, bar fronts, back bars, booth frames, server stations, custom tabletops
- Retail fixtures: display cases, shelving systems, cash wrap counters, wall panels
- Office millwork: reception desks, conference table bases, full built-in wall systems, breakroom cabinetry
- Hospitality: hotel room built-ins, lobby millwork, spa and fitness facility storage
Documentation: We produce full shop drawing packages for architect and owner approval. We're experienced working with Revit and AutoCAD files from architectural teams.
NYC work: We regularly complete projects in Manhattan and Brooklyn and understand the logistics of working in NYC — freight elevator scheduling, union labor requirements, nighttime delivery windows, and HPD-compliant materials where required.
Getting a commercial quote
Commercial quotes require a drawing set or detailed scope of work. If you have architectural drawings, send them to [email protected] and we'll respond with a preliminary range within 3 business days.
For projects without drawings, we can arrange a site visit and work from field measurements.