How to Fit Architrave

Ready for a room refresh? Fitting door architrave is a straightforward way to add style to your home. If you're wondering about what architrave is, it's the decorative timber or MDF moulding that covers the join between the door frame and the wall.

So, why do you need architrave? It isn't structurally necessary, but it covers unsightly gaps and protects your walls from daily knocks. We've created a handy how-to video to guide you through the process alongside this article.

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Architrave covers the join between a door frame and the wall, adding a neat decorative finish and protecting your interior edges from damage.
You attach architrave by cutting the pieces at opposite angles in a mitre box, then fixing them to the door casing with grab adhesive and 40mm lost head nails.
If you are updating both your skirting and architrave at the same time, it is best to fit your architrave first to ensure a seamless finish.

What are the different types of architrave?

Before fitting your architrave, you’ll need to decide which style you’d like. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular ones.

Ogee architrave is a highly decorative and deeply profiled style of interior moulding. You'll recognise it by its distinctive 'S' shaped curve, which adds a dramatic flair to any doorway or window. Because of its ornate design, Ogee is a top choice if you’re working on a period renovation. It looks fantastic in older properties and is especially popular for adding traditional character to Victorian terraces or Edwardian townhouses.

Torus architrave is a popular, traditional Victorian-style moulding. You'll recognise it by its distinctive semi-circular roll and flat back. This style gives your doorways a bold finish without being overpowering. It's a fantastic choice if you're renovating a period home and want to add some traditional character, and it's easy to see why it's been a favourite in UK homes for generations.

Bullnose architrave is a modern style of interior moulding characterised by its simple and curved profile. It features a smooth, rounded edge with no sharp angles. Because of its clean and minimal detailing, this style works beautifully in modern homes that focus on understated elegance, and its soft finish pairs exceptionally well with neutral colour palettes and open-plan designs.

Chamfered architrave is a modern style of interior moulding that features a gentle angled cut. This simple detail gives the wood a defined edge, while still keeping the overall profile clean and minimal. It's a fantastic option if you want your room to have a contemporary feel, but you still want to add a subtle hint of traditional character to your home.

How to install architrave around a door

Now you know the look you want, you’re ready to start the installation.

Pipe & cable detector
Tape measure
Pencil
Long spirit level
Mitre box
Workbench (if using mitre box)
Tenon/fine tooth saw
Fine sandpaper
Hammer
Block plane
Paintbrush
Nail punch
Filling knife
Stepladder or work platform (if required)
Architrave
Grab adhesive
40mm lost head nails
Filler
Safety goggles
Protective gloves

Safety comes first. Start by using your pipe and cable detector around the doorway to check that the area is clear of hidden pipes and cables. You won’t want to be hammering nails into these.

Take your tape measure and make a series of marks 6mm from the inner edges of the door lining. Mark both sides and the top of the casing. Then join the marks up using a spirit level or straight edge. This 6mm gap is important because it allows the door to move properly on its hinges.

Draw the lines so they extend slightly beyond the top corners of the frame. The intersections mark the exact spots where your architrave joints will meet.

We usually fit the headpiece across the top of the door first. Measure the distance between the two intersection marks you just drew. Mark this length onto the inner edge of your chosen timber. Lightly mark the intended direction of the cuts with your pencil.

Now it's time to look at how to cut door architrave. Place your architrave flat side down into a mitre box. Make your two angled cuts using a fine-tooth saw. Make sure the cuts are angled in opposite directions so that the outer edge is the longest edge. Once cut, lightly sand the ends until they’re smooth.

Check to see if the headpiece fits correctly on the wall. If you're happy, it's time to look at how to attach architrave. Apply grab adhesive to the back of the wood. Carefully press it into position along the 6mm line. Ensure the bottom edge of the mitre joints line up with your intersection marks.

To hold it securely while the adhesive sets, hammer in four 40mm lost head nails. Drive them through the wood and into the door casing.

Next, measure from the floor to the bottom edge of the headpiece. Mark this distance on your two side pieces. Remember that the bottom end of each side piece will have a simple square cut.

Use your mitre box to make the angled cuts at the top. Check if each side piece fits flush against the wall and the headpiece. You might need to make small adjustments with a block plane.

Take one side piece and apply PVA glue to the mitred edge. Add some to the matching edge of the headpiece too.

Apply grab adhesive to the back of the side piece and fix it into position. Hold it in place with more nails. Then repeat the process for the other side.

The finishing touches

Once the adhesive is set, use your nail punch to sink the nails just below the surface. Fill the small holes with wood filler and sand them down once dry. If your door casing isn't completely vertical, don't worry. Any tiny gaps between the wood and the wall can be filled neatly with caulk.

Now you can think about how to paint architrave. If you used softwood, treat any knots with a knotting solution first. Then sand down the face before applying your paint. And remember, you can use these exact same steps to fit window architrave.

Fitting your own architrave might seem daunting at first, but with the right tools and a bit of patience, it's a project you can definitely tackle. By following these steps, you've successfully covered the unsightly join between your door frame and the wall, adding a clean and stylish finish to your room.

And once you've mastered the doorway, you can use these exact same skills to frame your internal windows and loft hatches, too. If this has given you the DIY bug, check out our guide on how to fit skirting.

FAQs

Architrave is a decorative moulding used to edge interior doors, windows, and loft hatches. It covers the messy join between the wall and the frame to give your room a clean, finished look.

We recommend using 40mm lost head nails. They hold the boards firmly against the wall while the grab adhesive sets.

You can use it as skirting if you want a very slimline look. But standard skirting boards are used to cover the join between the wall and the floor. They offer much better protection for the bottom of your walls against vacuums and scuffs.

They don't have to match perfectly. But choosing a similar profile helps tie your room together nicely. For example, pairing a torus skirting board with a torus architrave creates a seamless traditional style. If you're fitting skirting and architrave together, always fit the architrave first.

To remove old timber, run a sharp utility knife along the edges to break the paint seal. Gently tap a stiff scraper behind the wood. Then use a small crowbar to slowly pry it away from the wall.