Architraves

What Are Architraves?

Architraves are an architectural feature that refers to decorative interior moulding or trim that surrounds the area around a door or window opening. 

With their roots in ancient architecture, architraves have been gracing homes for centuries with their timeless charm; the origin of their use dates as far back as ancient Egyptian and Greek times! 

Today, they continue to be a popular design element, with various styles and materials available to suit different architectural movements and interior design styles.

Aside from their aesthetic function, architraves also serve practical purposes. They can protect the edges of doors and windows from everyday wear and tear, conceal gaps or rough edges between the door or window frame and the wall, and enhance the overall design of a space.

Let's look further into their practical purposes below. 

Functions of Architraves 

Architraves serve both functional and aesthetic purposes in interior design and architecture. Let's explore some of their key functions and many benefits:

• Framing: One of the primary functions of an architrave is to frame the area around a door or window opening. It acts as a border that defines the transition between the wall and the door or window, creating a visually pleasing and cohesive look.
• Protection: Architraves also provide protection to the edges of doors and windows, helping to prevent damage from everyday wear and tear. They can protect the vulnerable corners of doors and windows from chipping, cracking, or splintering, extending their lifespan.
• Concealment: Architraves can be used to conceal gaps or rough edges between doorways or window frames and the wall, giving a polished and refined appearance to the overall interior design.
• Style and Design: Architraves are an essential element of interior design, allowing for creativity and personalisation. They come in various styles, sizes, and profiles, offering an opportunity to enhance the aesthetic appeal of a room and complement the overall architectural style of a space.
  
  

Different Architrave Designs

From classical to modern, Victorian to Craftsman, there's an architrave style for every design aficionado.

Let's break down the most popular architrave styles below: 

• Chamfer: A sleek and minimalist design, characterised by a single angled edge that slopes down to a flat, straight surface at the bottom of the architrave.
• Bullnose/Pencil-round: A clean-lined style, featuring a smooth rounded edge at the top front of the architrave, accompanied by a flat face.
• Ogee: A decorative profile that boasts an angled edge that gracefully graduates into a sweeping curve, with a flat face at the bottom of the architrave.
• Torus: This profile boasts a semi-circular round at the top front of the architrave, with some designs featuring an indent below the curve while others gradually transition into a flat face.
• Ovolo: An elegantly curved arc at the top front of the face that tapers back towards the wall, defines this profile.
  
  

Although it is possible to install a different architrave on your doorway, many customers prefer to have matching skirting boards and architrave to achieve a uniform design throughout the interior.

Navigate our skirting board and architrave homepage to find architraves and matching skirting at competitive prices. 

We stock a huge range of skirting boards and architrave products, from MDF Architrave and Ogee Architrave to Chamfered Skirting Board, in a variety of styles and profiles. For related categories please navigate via the headers at the top of the page.