Common Architrave Questions and Advice
Find your architrave
Pick a profile and width below, then order a free sample to see the oak or pine around your own doors before you buy.
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Which profile and size do I need?
1. Choose your width
- 55 mm wide is a neat, understated frame that suits modern homes and smaller doorways.
- 70 mm wide is a more generous frame that suits most family homes, wider doors and higher ceilings.
- 95 mm wide is our largest size, made in the Manor House profile for tall doors, high ceilings and period homes.
All our architrave comes in 2.1 metre lengths. A free sample of each width is the easiest way to decide.
2. Choose your profile
| Profile | Best for | Widths | Oak | Pine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chamfer | Clean, simple lines for modern and contemporary rooms | 55 mm, 70 mm | Chamfer oak | Chamfer pine |
| Chamfered-Grooved | A chamfered edge with a groove detail for a little extra character | 70 mm | Chamfered-Grooved oak | Chamfered-Grooved pine |
| Pencil Round | A soft rounded edge that suits both modern and traditional homes | 55 mm, 70 mm | Pencil Round oak | Pencil Round pine |
| Bullnosed | A rounded edge for a softer, traditional or cottage feel | 55 mm, 70 mm | Bullnosed oak | Bullnosed pine |
| Ogee | A classic S-curve for traditional and period interiors | 55 mm, 70 mm | Ogee oak | Ogee pine |
| Torus | A rounded, moulded edge for period-style rooms | 55 mm, 70 mm | Torus oak | Torus pine |
| Chatsworth | A more decorative moulded profile for traditional rooms | 70 mm | Chatsworth oak | Chatsworth pine |
| Manor House | Our grandest profile, for tall doors and period homes | 95 mm | Manor House oak | Manor House pine |
Looking for a rustic, characterful look? Try our Bullnosed Character Oak architrave (55 mm).
3. Match it to your skirting board
As a rule, your skirting board should be taller than your architrave is wide, so the architrave sits neatly against it. Our 55 mm and 70 mm architrave works with our 120 mm and 170 mm skirting. Manor House architrave (95 mm) pairs with Manor House skirting (170 mm). See the skirting board guide or shop skirting board.
4. Work out how much you need
Use our skirting board and architrave quantity calculator to see how many lengths to order. As a guide, each face of a standard doorway needs three pieces: two uprights and one head. That is 3 lengths for one side of a door, or 6 lengths if you are fitting architrave on both sides. Add a spare length if you are cutting it yourself. If your door opening is taller than 2.05 m or wider than 2 m, contact us and we will help you work out what you need.
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Architrave questions and answers
What is architrave?
Architrave is the moulded timber trim fitted around a door or window opening. It frames the opening and hides the joint between the frame and the wall.
Why do I need architrave around my doors?
It gives the doorway a finished look, covers any gap between the door frame and the plaster, and protects the edges of the opening from knocks.
What widths does your architrave come in?
Most of our oak and pine architrave comes in 55 mm and 70 mm widths. Chatsworth and Chamfered-Grooved are 70 mm only, and Manor House is 95 mm. All of it comes in 2.1 metre lengths.
How much architrave do I need for a door?
Each side of a standard door needs three pieces: two uprights and one head. That is 3 lengths for one side, or 6 lengths if you fit architrave on both sides of the wall. Our quantity calculator works it out for you.
Should I paint or stain my architrave?
Pine is usually painted. Oak is often left natural, stained, oiled or varnished to show off the grain, though it can be painted too. Follow the finish manufacturer's instructions.
Which architrave profile should I choose?
Chamfer and Pencil Round suit modern rooms. Ogee, Torus, Chatsworth and Manor House suit traditional and period homes. Match the profile to your skirting board for a consistent look, and order a free sample to check it in your room.
Is your architrave solid wood?
Yes. We make our architrave from solid Prime European Oak and solid Unsorted Grade Softwood Pine, with Character Oak and 5ths grade pine for a budget or rustic look. We do not sell MDF or PVC architrave.