Installing UPVC Door Architrave

Architraves are the trims that are fitted around your internal doors, windows and loft latches. These come colour-coded to perfectly match our whole range of skirting!

Architrave is used as a decorative moulding to hide the unsightly joints between wall and timber casings. To cover one side of a door casing there are 3 lengths, known as a set, which includes one horizontal head piece and 2 vertical legs or jambs.

Architrave is usually set back slightly from the edge of the door casing to provide a neat appearance around the door opening. This space is known as margin, which is typically between 5 and 7mm.

Once you know the margin you would like, guidelines should be marked carefully around the door casing. Where the head and jamb lines meet on either side of the casing will determine the architrave mitre point.

Line the first length of architrave jamb, making sure it follows the vertical margin guidelines. Mark the inside face of the architrave where it crosses the head line with a pencil. Repeat this for the other vertical jamb and the head section.

From the pencil mark you made earlier, cut one vertical jamb at 45° using a mitre block and fine toothed saw. Then apply a bead of adhesive down each adhesive channel on the back. Position the architrave on the wall, using the vertical margin guideline and press firmly into place. Repeat this for the other door jamb.

The head section must be cut at 45° on each end using the pencil marks made earlier.

Internal Joint pieces are used to help produce a strong, tight bond between the head and the two jambs. Apply a small amount of Instant Glue to two Internal Joints and push-fit into either end of the head section. Then apply contact adhesive down each channel of the architrave.

Carefully position the head section in place ensuring that the Internal Joints locate into the vertical jamb sections.

If for any reason the mitre joints don't line up correctly, Cover Trims can be glued in position to cover any gaps.