In this article, we’ll cover the basics of building a door frame architrave, including the materials you’ll need, how to position it, and how to repair it if necessary. Whether you’re a DIY-er or a professional home decorator, this project can be completed in a weekend! If you’re looking for inspiration, check out our gallery for some great ideas! Alternatively, read on for tips on how to buy architraves.
How to make a door frame architrave
The architrave is usually supplied separately from the door frame and is usually supplied in long pieces or short, ready-cut sections. It should be cut to the required size and shape before it is fitted. To fit a door frame architrave first, install the door leaf. Then, attach the architrave. If the door is made of wood, you can also buy pre-finished architrave.
To fit the architrave, you should measure the width and length of the door lining and mark the corners where it meets the architrave. If the door is double-hung, it is advisable to set the moulding back five to ten millimetres on each side. Make sure you leave a gap of about 6mm between the door and the architrave.
Materials
The size of the architrave depends on the design and height of your door. The narrowest architrave is 2440mm long, which is the most common size. It allows for waste, but still allows for the average height of a door. The tallest architrave is 3050mm long, which provides enough room to fit two heads or legs. To buy architrave, you will need to order the required lengths in the correct sizes.
Architrave is often supplied separately from the frame. It may be one long piece or several shorter, pre-cut pieces. Most pieces have 45-degree mitered ends, which form 90-degree corners. Before fitting the architrave, it is important to cut the pieces to the correct length and shape. If you are using a pre-cut architrave, you should fit the door leaf first.
Positioning
When installing a new door frame, the first step is to mark the architrave’s positioning. There are several methods for this. You can use a hammer and chisel to pry the architrave from its wall and make sure that it is straight. You can also use a utility bar to pry the architrave from its wall. Then, use a square to measure the gap between the door and architrave.
After determining the frame’s vertical and horizontal margins, place the head piece of the architrave across it. Be sure to line up the top 45 degree mitre of the head piece with the top 45-degree mark on the side piece. Now, use a panel pin or 50-mm lost head nail to attach the architrave to the side framework. Be sure to position the head piece of the architrave 30mm above the floor.
Repairing
If you’re renovating a door frame, you’ll probably be faced with the task of repairing or replacing it. Luckily, this task is surprisingly easy and doesn’t require any major wall repairs or additional work. You simply need to remove the architrave and its surrounding paint. To do this, you’ll need a sharp chisel and a pair of pincers.
Whether it’s a chamfered architrave, a bull-nosed architrave, or another type, you need to cut the piece of architrave to fit. Then, you should mark out the exact angle needed. Sometimes, the door frame isn’t at the right angle, and a project on carpentry angles will help you create the correct angles. Architraves have become artful in some properties; big molded architraves make ordinary doorways appear grand. You can also make a plain doorway a feature by adding a molded skirting.