Fitting Architrave

Architrave is the timber moulding fitted around an internal doors and windows. The purpose of architrave is to hide the joint between the wall/ceiling and the timber. It also hides any subsequent shrinkage and movement between the two. Architrave should be fitted after all the wall surfaces and skirting boards have been fitted. You should really make sure that you decorate after you have fitted the door and architraving. Three lengths of architrave is usually used for one side of a door or window - one horizontal head piece and two vertical side pieces.  If you purchase an architrave set from us - that contains 2 heads and 4 legs - to cover both sides of the door.

Where the architrave meets, the corners are usually mitred - with a typical, square topped casing, the corners meet at rightangles (90 degrees) so the mitre cuts on each piece of architrave will be 45 degrees (half the casing angle). However, in older properties, the squareness of the door casing may be questionable so the angles need to be individually measured and the mitres cut as necessary - this also applies where the top of a doorway is at an angle to suit a sloping ceiling.

Marking out the case

Architrave is normally fitted so that it sits back from the inside of the casing timber by about 4 to 5mm. A narrow spacing can restrict the knuckle of the hinges, and the striking plate, whereas a larger margin will reduce the overlap of the architrave on the casing so it reduced the available nailing area. In most cases, try to keep the style of architrave and the margin the same throughout a property - in some cases this may not be possible nor desirable. Carefully mark the casing with the required margin measurements making short guidelines across each corner and about 200mm apart around the casing, make sure that all the marks are parallel to the edge of the casing and equally set back. These short guidelines will be sufficient guides for accurately marking the architrave for making the mitres and fitting it.



Fixing the architrave

When all three pieces have been cut; position the head piece against the horizontal margin markings, with the 'heel' of the mitred corners in line with the vertical margin markings, and fit a 50mm lost head nail (or panel pin) near the edge of the architrave (so it's about half way across the casing timber) in the centre, leave the nail protruding. About 30mm away from each end add another nail, ensuring that the architrave remains lined up with the horizontal guidelines. Fit additional nails about 300mm apart along the top piece. Leave all the nails protruding.

You would now have to place one of the side pieces of architrave in position so that it lines up with the vertical margin markings, and the top 45 degrees cut is a tight fit against the angle of the head piece. Nail the side piece at the top about 30mm away from the top cut - again, use a 50mm lost head nail (or panel pin) near the edge of the architrave. Nail the bottom of the vertical architrave to the casing about 30mm up from the floor, ensuring that the architrave remains lined up with the vertical margin marks, fit another nail about halfway up the length. Fit additional nails about 300mm apart down the side piece. Again, leave all the nails protruding.

Finally, drive all the nails home and punched them slightly below the surface of the architrave - apply a suitable filler to cover the heads of the nails before painting.

If you need any more information or advice, please don't hesitate to ask.  Click here to contact us, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible!








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