A Brief Description of Architrave Building Construction

Classical architecture uses architrave to designate the bottom part of a certain type of lintel called an entablature. In an entablature, it forms the bottom third part of the bottom third of the vertical columns. Usually, architraves are horizontal or vertical moldings around openings, such as doors or windows.

Define Architrave

There are most homeowners who won't even think about architraves for the rest of their lives. Your doors and windows are framed by an architrave, which is an interior molding, decorative trim. A wall covering enhances the look of a room as well as conceals unsightly seams and joints.

It is common for windows to have architraves. In order to determine how to measure and install shutters on your window, we will need to identify the architrave style.

Architrave Construction Process

Hardwood, softwood, and medium density fiberboard or MDF are the most common materials used for architraves. Plaster, PVC, rubber, ceramic tiles, and aluminum are less common architrave materials.

Architraves are usually made from the same material as the moldings and finishes in the home, creating a sense of uniformity. Hardwood is more likely to be used in historic buildings, whereas softwood or MDF are more likely to be used in modern homes.

Importance of Architrave

Architraves can add an extra layer of beauty to a room. An architrave also serves a functional purpose. The seams and joints created by a door or window built into a wall cannot simply be painted over.

Covering up these imperfections is made easier with an architrave, which creates a clean, beautiful look around them.

Architrave in Modern Construction

It conceals the joint between walls or ceilings that surround doors, windows, or other openings. The purpose of them is to give the openings of a house a finished appearance.

To allow building materials to expand and contract when temperatures vary, a gap is commonly left between plasterboard and window or door frames. Despite their purpose, these gaps are perfectly covered without compromising their functionality.

Hardwoods, softwoods, MDF, and other timber styles can be used for architraves. The use of MDF architraves is recommended for buildings that are subject to extremes of temperature. Ceramic tiles, rubber, aluminum, and PVC are less common materials used for architraves.

Due to the fact that they do not support the frame of a window or door, they are not structurally necessary.

Architrave in Architecture

Buildings have an upper portion covered with an entablature, a horizontal structure like a lintel. Entablatures consist of three parts: the architrave on the bottom, the frieze in the middle, and the cornice on top.

A structure's stability is ensured by architrave elements in an entablature. Entablature's foundation is directly above the vertical columns.

Architrave Features

Architraves conceal the connection between a door and its casing, giving it a finished look. Between the opening and the wall, they allow for any shrinkage or movement that may occur. It enhances the design of a window by adding depth.

The size of the architrave is determined by the width, depth, and length of the pack. A door's width specifies whether the architrave surrounding the door is thick, its depth specifies how far the architrave projects out of the wall, and its length specifies its perimeter.

Architrave Types

Decorative Architrave

The grooves and uneven surfaces of a decorative architrave give the piece a beautiful, ornamental appearance. Victorian era houses commonly have this type of architrave.

Any architrave can be used with an L-frame that sits inside the window recess. The trim won't be covered, so it's a great option for decorative architraves.

To learn more, watch the following video tutorial.

Video Source: BuildersSA

If there is 38.1mm of flat surface available, an outside L-frame can be installed to any type of architrave. An outside mount can be installed on the center of a decorative architrave if the architrave has a flat surface.

Bull nose Architrave

An architrave with a bull nose is a flat frame with a curved edge. Architraves of this type are quite popular because of their beauty and simplicity.

Square Architrave

Unlike a curved architrave, a square architrave has straight angles. With the rise of minimalist design, this is the simplest and most common architrave type.

Square arches and square set windows work well with the Z-frame. It may be best to avoid Z-frames if you have decorative architrave, as they will cover parts of the trim.

A Brief Description of Architrave Building Construction