NAAWS
The proven standard. Now available in three formats.
North American Architectural Woodwork Standards
The North American Architectural Woodwork Standards is the proven standard architects, specification writers, and millwork firms already know and trust. NAAWS 5.0 delivers improved accessibility, enhanced navigation, and updated content on a platform built for continuous improvement.
Access the new NAAWS website
Head to the online standards to search, browse, and reference NAAWS 5.0 from any device.
Now Available in Three Formats
NAAWS 5.0 is here as a brand-new online web publication, and it remains available in print and by PDF download. Choose the format that fits how you work.
Web Publication (New)
Search, browse, and navigate the entire standard online at NAAWS.com. Always current, always accessible from any device.
Prefer a physical copy for the shop floor or the office? NAAWS 5.0 is still available in print.
PDF Download
Sign in and download the whole book or just the sections you need as PDFs, ready to reference offline whenever you need them.
Where NAAWS Truly Leads
NAAWS stands out because it is created with the industry, for the industry—ensuring the standard remains not just relevant, but exceptional. NAAWS is:
- Jointly authored, not owned by a single organization
- Developed by practitioners, not theorists
- Built on consensus, not unilateral interpretation
- Designed for clarity, not complexity
- Backed by real inspection programs, not optional guidelines
- Actively maintained, not periodically refreshed
A Standard With a Broader View and a Stronger Foundation
In an industry where clarity reduces disputes, consistency improves performance, and technical precision protects reputations, the NAAWS approach offers the most robust and dependable framework.
The result is simple:
When architects specify NAAWS, when manufacturers build to NAAWS, and when inspectors review to NAAWS—they know exactly what excellence looks like.
This is what sets NAAWS apart.
This is why the industry trusts it.
This is why NAAWS 5.0 marks the next evolution in standards leadership.
How NAAWS Stands Apart
NAAWS is collaboratively authored—not commercially driven.
NAAWS is produced by industry experts, technical specialists, fabricators, spec writers, and inspectors from both AWMAC and the Woodwork Institute. There is no single commercial entity behind it, no hidden product tie-ins, and no incentive to make the standard anything other than accurate, neutral, and beneficial to the entire industry.
- Governance and oversight are transparent and rigorous.
- A dedicated Technical Editor preserves clarity and consistency.
- NAAWS reflects today’s industry—materials, technology, and installation methods.
- NAAWS integrates inspection and quality assurance at a national level.
Two Organizations. One Standard.
Everything From 4.0 Is Here in 5.0
Upgrading changes nothing you rely on. Every tool you used in NAAWS 4.0 carries forward into 5.0, including:
- The Cabinet Design Series
- Installation requirements
- Resource Guide
- Links to previous editions of the NAAWS
- Legacy Errata
Create Your Free NAAWS Account
Signing in to the new online publication lets you save searches, bookmark the pages you use most, and submit suggestions directly to the NAAWS review committee.
