Mr Skill

Although the term architrave originally referred to a lintel (that is, the beam across an opening that supports the wall above) these days an architrave describes the decorative piece around three or even four sides of a door or window, that also covers over the gap between wall and frame.

Unless you decide to find a joiner to do the work for you, here is how to fit a new architrave, after either removing an old one, or creating a new opening:

o An architrave makes an enduring statement, so choose your materials carefully. When you have done so, make sure the lengths the salesperson gives you are all in first-rate condition.

o Check the door frame carefully with a set square. If it is out of true, as happens in an older house, then you may have to make adjustments, or even make the mitre cuts by hand using your eye.

o Make sure that you have an accurate mitre box, or perhaps a mitre saw as favoured by good carpenters in London. If in doubt, pop down to your local hardware store and rent one. This is because a badly mitred joint at eye level could irritate you for the rest of time, even though others may hardly notice it.

o Mark out where the three pieces of the architrave will fit against the wall. Remember that an architrave is traditionally set a centimetre outside the inner edge of the doorframe. For this reason, the horizontal architrave will be two centimetres longer than you might expect, and the vertical ones a centimetre taller each.

o Mark and cut the individual pieces of the architrave carefully. Note that the thinner edge usually attaches to the doorframe, while the thicker side rests on the wall. Check that everything lines up properly before proceeding.

o Begin with the horizontal piece first. After aligning it with the marks you made, pin it in position with a headless nail driven through the tipping point into the doorframe – do not drive this nail all the way, in case you have to remove it to make adjustments. Repeat the process working at opposite ends until the piece is securely held in place (but with all the nails protruding).

o Repeat the process with the two vertical pieces of the architrave, making sure that the mitred edges press hard against each other while you do so.

o Drive headless nails diagonally across both mitred corners from the top towards the outer corners to hold the joint in place. When you are satisfied with the result, drive the headless holes slightly below the surface of the architrave with a hammer and needle punch, make good with filler, and decorate.

If this sounds too complicated, why not get carpenter quotes from Mr-Skill? You will get up to 30% discount on normal rates, and have the added satisfaction of a perfect job.