How to Remove Architrave
Removing architrave is not a difficult job,
Removing Architrave Video Guide
Removing Architrave Step by Step
Before you begin to remove architrave from your doors, make sure the area is clear. If you have had any kind of cables running along the outside of the architrave ensure these are completely removed and out of the way before beginning.
The first step in removing architrave is to split any decorators caulk that has been used to seal the architrave in place when it was initially fitted. To do this, take a Stanley knife and run the blade along the caulk with enough pressure so as to pierce through the caulk with the blade. Continue slicing the caulk all the way around the architrave, both on the outside and inside of the architrave.
The next task is to begin to prise the architrave away from the wall, using a chisel and hammer. It is important that you approach the architrave from the inside (nearest the door) rather than the outside so as to minimise the risk of damage to the underlying plaster. Doing it this way means that any damage you do cause will be easily covered up by the replacement architrave you will install in its place.
Place the chisel in the gap created between the wall and the architrave when you sliced the caulk. Use the hammer to get the end of the chisel further behind the piece of architrave you are removing. This will begin to pull the architrave away from the wall.
Grab a crowbar and insert it between the architrave and the wall- again on the inside as you did in the previous step. Use the crowbar to gently lever the architrave further away from the wall, starting near the top of one of the upright sections of architrave and slowly moving down the length. You will notice more resistance in the areas that have been fixed with nails, so adjust the force with which you operate the crowbar to pull these nails out from the wall with the architrave. Be careful not to injure yourself on any exposed nails!
These steps can be repeated for the header piece and the second upright. When removing the header piece (or crossbar) you may find it easier to use a step or step ladder to give you extra height in order to get the leverage required to pull the architrave away from the wall.
After you've removed the architrave, we have guides on how to fit architrave for a number of different situations.
How to fit architrave close to the wall
How to fit grooved skirting board and architrave
How to fit architrave to an uneven door frame
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.
Related products
-
Bullnose Groove MDF Architrave
Price: £0.00Our Bullnose Groove architrave is a contemporary design that is perfect for... -
Bullnose Groove 2 MDF Architrave
Price: £0.00Our Bullnose Groove 2 architrave is a modern take on the classic Bullnose... -
Bullnose MDF Architrave
Price: £0.00Bullnose architrave is widely used and is one of our more popular profiles.... -
Edge MDF Architrave
Price: £0.00The edge architrave is similar to the Chamfer profile, with a smaller bevel... -
Edge 2 MDF Architrave
Price: £0.00Our Edge 2 architrave (sometimes referred to as ‘scotia’) is a bold... -
Edge Groove MDF Architrave
Price: £0.00The Edge groove architrave is the regular Edge design with the addition of... -
Edge Groove 2 MDF Architrave
Price: £0.00The Edge Groove 2 is a design that brings together the most striking... -
Marlie MDF Architrave
Price: £0.00Marlie architrave is a design that is exclusive to Skirting 4 U. It is a... -
Mini Bullnose MDF Architrave
Price: £0.00Mini Bullnose architrave is sometimes referred to as ‘Pencil Round’ or... -
Ripple MDF Architrave
Price: £0.00Our Ripple architrave is very different to almost all other architrave in... -
Ripple 2 MDF Architrave
Price: £0.00The Ripple 2 is very much a statement architrave. Being extremely bold in... -
Square MDF Architrave
Price: £0.00Square architrave continues to be hugely popular with both private and... -
Square Groove MDF Architrave
Price: £0.00Square Groove architrave is another modern profile that has remained... -
Square Groove 2 MDF Architrave
Price: £0.00Square Groove 2 architrave is by far and away the most popular modern... -
Torus 1 MDF Architrave
Price: £0.00Our Torus 1 architrave is an absolute classic. It is extensively used... -
Antique MDF Architrave
Price: £0.00The intricate detailing in our Antique Architrave creates the perfect... -
Asmara 3 MDF Architrave
Price: £0.00The Asmara 3 Architrave, with its bold styling and clean lines is very much... -
Colonial MDF Architrave
Price: £0.00Our Colonial architrave is a replica of a design that was common in the... -
Regency MDF Architrave
Price: £0.00Regency architrave is not too dissimilar to the Ogee style in terms of... -
Skirt4U 327 MDF Architrave
Price: £0.00The 327 design of architrave is something of a departure from traditional... -
Skirt4U 330 MDF Architrave
Price: £0.00Our 330 architrave brings together the best elements of our 327 and 324... -
Antique 2 MDF Architrave
Price: £0.00The Antique 2 Architrave profile is a less complex version of our Antique... -
Asmara 4 MDF Architrave
Price: £0.00The Asmara 4 Architrave is an intricate homage to classical period design.... -
Asmara 5 MDF Architrave
Price: £0.00The Asmara 5 Architrave has a contemporary styling that is a seamless blend... -
Chamfer MDF Architrave
Price: £0.00Chamfer architrave is a moulding in which its clean-cut yet elegant... -
Edwardian MDF Architrave
Price: £0.00Our Edwardian architrave design is an homage to styles widely used in homes... -
Georgian MDF Architrave
Price: £0.00Our Georgian architrave is inspired by architrave designs used throughout... -
Lambs Tongue MDF Architrave
Price: £0.00The Lambs Tongue architrave is a widely-known style and is something of a... -
Ogee MDF Architrave
Price: £0.00Ogee architrave has really stood the test of time and remains a firm... -
Ogee 2 MDF Architrave
Price: £0.00Ogee 2 architrave has been introduced to offer an alternative to the... -
Ovolo MDF Architrave
Price: £0.00Ovolo architrave is another profile that is widely known and sought after... -
Roux MDF Architrave
Price: £0.00Roux is an architrave design that is exclusive to Skirting 4 U. Since it... -
Skirt4U 324 MDF Architrave
Price: £0.00The design of our S4U 324 profile is based upon the ever-popular Torus... -
Torus 2 MDF Architrave
Price: £0.00The Torus architrave is by far the most commonly purchased profile we... -
Victorian MDF Architrave
Price: £0.00Our Victorian architrave design is manufactured to sympathetically... -
Victorian 2 MDF Architrave
Price: £0.00Our Victorian 2 profile is a second variation of an architrave design that... -
Windsor MDF Architrave
Price: £0.00Windsor architrave is one of our more exclusive, decorative architrave... -
Stepped MDF Architrave
Price: £0.00Stepped architrave is a visually striking design that is a great choice if...
Related posts
-
How to Measure and Cut a Skirting Board for an Internal Wall Joint by Bisecting
01/10/201839020 viewsIn this guide, we will showcase how to measure and cut skirting board for an internal wall joint by bisecting an angle.Read more
-
How to Fit Architrave When the Door Frame is Close to the Wall
07/12/201837843 viewsSometimes internal doors are so close to adjacent walls that fitting architrave is difficult. This tutorial will...Read more
-
How to join two pieces of skirting board together on a flat wall
10/23/201740875 viewsA tutorial showing how to join two pieces of skirting board together on a flat wall.Read more
-
Step by Step Guide - How to Remove Skirting Board and Architrave
03/29/201739320 viewsA video and written tutorial to show how to remove a skirting board.Read more
-
How to Join Square Groove Skirting Board and Architrave
05/08/201815978 viewsOne of the foremost attractions of the square groove/square groove 2 profiles is that the can be fitted so that the...Read more