Whether you're renovating a room or replacing worn-out trim, fitting architraves is one of those finishing touches that can transform the look of any doorway. With the right tools and a little patience, you can achieve a clean, professional result — even as a first-timer.
What Are Architraves?
Architraves are the decorative mouldings that frame a door opening, covering the gap between the door lining and the wall plaster. They're available in a wide range of profiles — from the classic Ogee and Torus to the more contemporary Square Edge and Pencil Round — so you can match them to your home's style perfectly.
What You'll Need
- MDF or timber architraves
- Mitre saw or mitre box and hand saw
- Tape measure and pencil
- Spirit level
- Nail gun or hammer and lost-head nails
- Wood adhesive
- Filler and sandpaper
- Paint or primer
Step-by-Step: How to Fit Architraves
1. Mark the Reveal Line
Using a pencil and tape measure, mark a line approximately 6–8mm from the inner edge of the door lining all the way around the frame. This is called the reveal and ensures your architrave sits neatly without overlapping the door stop.
2. Cut the Vertical Legs
Measure the height from the floor to the top of your reveal line on each side. Cut two vertical pieces (the "legs") with a 45° mitre at the top end. Always cut slightly long and trim to fit — it's easier to remove material than add it back.
3. Cut the Head Piece
Measure the distance between the two vertical legs at the top of the reveal. Cut your horizontal head piece with 45° mitres at both ends, mirroring the angles on the legs so the corners meet cleanly.
4. Dry Fit First
Before fixing anything, hold all three pieces in place and check the mitres align correctly. Adjust as needed. A tight mitre joint is the mark of a quality finish.
5. Fix the Legs
Apply a thin bead of wood adhesive to the back of each leg, then nail into the door lining and wall. Use a spirit level to ensure they're perfectly vertical. Space nails approximately 400–500mm apart.
6. Fix the Head
Apply adhesive to the head piece and nail into position, ensuring the mitre joints at both corners are tight and flush. A clamp or masking tape can help hold the joint while the adhesive sets.
7. Fill and Sand
Once the adhesive has dried, fill any nail holes and gaps at the mitre joints with a fine surface filler. Allow to dry, then sand smooth with fine-grit sandpaper.
8. Prime and Paint
If you've used unprimed MDF architraves, apply a coat of MDF primer before painting. If you've chosen primed architraves, you can go straight to your topcoat — saving you time and effort.
Tips for a Perfect Finish
- Use primed architraves if you want to skip the priming step and get straight to painting.
- MDF architraves are ideal for most interior applications — they're stable, smooth, and take paint beautifully.
- Always cut mitres slightly proud and sneak up on the perfect fit with small adjustments.
- A nail gun makes the job significantly faster and reduces the risk of splitting.
Choose the Right Profile for Your Home
At Universconstruct, we stock a wide range of MDF architrave profiles to suit every style:
- Ogee — a timeless, elegant profile perfect for traditional homes
- Torus — a popular choice for both classic and contemporary interiors
- Ovolo — a softer, rounded profile with a refined look
- Square Edge — clean and minimal, ideal for modern spaces
- Pencil Round — subtle and versatile, suits any room
All our architraves are available in primed and unprimed finishes, cut to 3050mm lengths, ready for your next project.