When it comes to finishing a room, few things make as big an impact as skirting boards and architraves. They tie everything together, cover rough edges, and give a clean, professional look to any space. Whether you’re replacing old ones or fitting them in a new room, here are a few key tips to help you get it right.
1. Carefully remove the old skirting and architrave
If you’re replacing existing skirt and arc, take your time removing it to avoid damaging the walls.
- Use a sharp blade to cut through the paint or caulk line at the top before levering it off — this stops the plaster from tearing.
- Slide a wide scraper or bolster chisel behind the board and gently pry it away, working along the length.
- Once off, scrape away any leftover adhesive or nails so you’ve got a clean surface to work with.
2. Fitting architraves
Begin by marking out the architrave quirks before fitting. A combination square is used to set the quirk — the small visible gap between the edge of the door frame and the architrave — typically measuring between 5–7mm. Using a square and pencil, mark the quirk lines evenly around the entire door frame.
Architrave is usually supplied in 4.2m lengths, allowing two legs (uprights) or four heads (tops) to be cut from a single length. Each length can be halved for the legs and quartered for the heads.
Hold the head piece in position at the top of the frame, aligning it with the quirk marks and the transfer the marks onto the piece of architrave. Stand the leg pieces in place and transfer the same quirk marks to them. Once marked, cut both ends of the head and the tops of the legs at 45° mitres (the marks being the short point of the angle) so that the joints meet cleanly.
There are several reliable methods for installation:
- Mitre first: The mitres can be pre-glued using mitre bond and activator, then grab adhesive is applied to the back of the architrave before offering it up the the frame and fixing to the wall with brad nails or pins.
- Fix head first: Apply adhesive to the back of the head piece and fix it in place. Adhesive is then applied to the backs of the legs, and the mitres are bonded before pinning.
- Adhesive-only method: A strong grab adhesive can be used on both the joints and the back of the architrave in place of mitre bond. Offering the head up first and fixing in place, then each of the legs fixed in place.
tip: Always test-fit mitres before gluing to ensure a tight joint and a clean finish.
3. Fitting the skirting
Start by measuring and cutting the lengths of skirting to suit each wall. For internal corners, one length should be cut square to the wall, while the adjoining piece is scribed to fit tightly against it. Scribing creates a cleaner joint and compensates for walls that may not be perfectly square.
For external corners, both pieces are cut at 45° mitres so that the edges meet neatly. Always check the joint fit before fixing. The measurement can be taken using a tape measure, but for a more precise fit, the board can be cut slightly longer, then held in position against the wall. A pencil line can then be marked up the back of the board where it meets the adjoining wall, giving the exact length required for a perfect mitre.
Once cut, apply grab adhesive to the back of each length and press it firmly into place. Additional fixing can be done using brad nails or pins, ensuring they are positioned at an angle and spaced evenly along the board.
At joints where two lengths meet on a long wall, use mitre or scarf joints cut at a slight angle to create a stronger, less visible join. When this is done neatly, after some sanding and painting the joint is seamless.
Final Thoughts
Skirting and architraves might seem like small details, but they make a huge difference to the overall finish of your home. Taking a little extra time to fit them neatly will lift the whole room and make your work look truly professional.
At JP Carpentry & Roofing, we take pride in every detail — from structural work to finishing touches. If you’d like us to supply and fit skirting or architraves in your home, get in touch today for a free quote.
