How to Fit Architrave

Architrave not only adds character to your doors but also helps to conceal any gaps between the door frame and the wall, creating a polished look.

If you're looking to enhance the appearance of your home by fitting architrave around your doors, you've come to the right place. This step-by-step guide, complete with a helpful video, is designed to walk you through the entire installation process, ensuring a professional finish.

 

Tools required for fitting architrave

Before starting, you’ll need the following tools to hand:

  • Nail gun
  • Mitre saw
  • Set square
  • Tape measure
  • Pallet knife
  • Pencil
  • Adhesive
  • Wood filler

A step-by-step guide to fitting architrave

Step 1: Mark the position

When starting to install the architrave around your door, the first step is to mark out where the architrave will be positioned. 

It is important to leave a small gap between the door lining and the architrave. This technique, called "breaking the edge," ensures that the architrave is not exposed to the risk of cracking. If you fit the architrave flush to the edge of the door lining, repeatedly closing the door could eventually put strain on the architrave and lead to damage. By allowing a small space (around 4mm), you can prevent this issue and create a neater finish with decorator's caulk.

To begin, use a ruler or tape measure with a pencil to create a mark 4mm in from the edge of the door lining. Extend the mark around the entire perimeter of the door using a set square to ensure the line always runs parallel to the door lining.

Step 2: Mark the intersecting lines

Using a pencil and ruler, extend the horizontal and vertical lines beyond the top corners of the door frame to highlight the intersection where the vertical and horizontal architrave will join. Take a length of architrave and stand it vertically against the guideline. Mark the architrave with a pencil at the same location as the intersection on the wall to ensure that you cut the piece of architrave to the correct height.

Step 3: Mark the cut direction

While holding the architrave, use a pencil to indicate on the face of the architrave the direction you will need to cut. This precaution will help you avoid mistakes that could waste the entire piece of architrave.

Step 4: Cut the architrave

Set the mitre saw to 45 degrees and cut the architrave length, using the markings you have just made in pencil as a guide. If you don’t have a mitre saw, you can also use a mitre box for this step.

Step 5: Check the fit

Take the cut piece of architrave and hold it in position on the door frame, using the pencil line you drew on the wall as a guide to ensure it fits correctly before fixing it in place.

Step 6: Fix the architrave

You are now ready to fix the first length of architrave in position. Use a grab adhesive, such as Gripfill or Griptite, and apply it to the reverse of the entire length of the architrave in a zig-zag pattern to cover a greater surface area and create a more secure bond to the wall. 

Once the adhesive has been applied, press into position along the pencil line you drew and hold it in position for a few seconds, before using a nail gun to pin the architrave in place at regular intervals along its length.

Step 7: Cut the horizontal piece

Next, it's time to cut the horizontal piece of architrave, which follows the same process as before. The angle remains at 45 degrees, but the direction of the cut will be opposite to that of the first cut. Again, mark the face of the architrave to indicate the direction of the cut.

Step 8: Measure and cut again

Once you have cut the 45-degree angle, hold the piece of architrave flush against the upright you just installed and the horizontal guideline. Mark the point on the architrave where the cut will be made by aligning it with the intersect marking on the wall. Mark the direction of the cut on the face of the architrave and use the mitre saw to cut it to 45 degrees.

Step 9: Fit the horizontal piece

After cutting, check that the piece fits correctly. Then, fix it in position using the adhesive and nails, just as you did with the first piece.

Step 10: Measure the final piece

The final piece of architrave requires a different approach for cutting. Use a tape measure to find the distance between the floor and the bottom of the horizontally installed piece of architrave. Create a mark on the final length of architrave where it needs to be cut. Again, mark the face of the architrave as a guide for the direction in which to make the cut on the mitre saw.

Step 11: Support long pieces

If you are cutting a long piece of architrave, you may need extra supports (like those in the photo below) to help keep it in position while you make the cut.

Step 12: Final check and fixing

As before, check the length fits perfectly in place before repeating the process of fixing it in place.

Step 13: Finish the installation

Once the installation is complete, the final step is to apply wood filler using a pallet knife to the areas where the nails went in, creating a smooth surface. Allow the filler to dry before sanding off the excess, making the architrave ready for painting.

About the Author

Kieron Miller is the Managing Director of Skirting 4 U and has been working in the skirting board and online retail industry since 2012. Kieron has been using his extensive product knowledge and problem-solving experience to help both trade and private consumers all over the country find the perfect skirting board products for their projects. He continues to innovate new solutions and product ideas as the market continues to grow.