How to buy MDF architraves?: A Simple Guide

Table of Contents

1. Tips to Buying Architrave[+]
   1. Deciding the Breadth
   2. Select the Thickness
   3. Length
   4. Finishing
2. Add to the cart

Architraves and skirting boards of MDF have become ubiquitous things to buy in the past few years. They are ready for upper and lower coating when bought because it is already primed in white. In terms of cutting and fitting, medium-density fiberboard is easier to use and is less expensive than others.

An architrave is an inner molding made of wood to mount the openings in homes and window frames. It is used to conceal all the problem areas of joints of doors by acting as a border. If you want to purchase good quality molding, check on MDF architraves.

Architraves that are commonly used and can go with both conventional and modern places/houses are MDF and hard oak. Generally, moldings that are matching to their skirting boards are selected by most people.

They are available in a large variety, and below is the guide to help you buy a suitable architrave:

Tips to Buying Architrave

Deciding the Breadth

First of all, select the option of “select the width” when you open the web page. Architraves usually used for framing are different in breadth from the skirting boards.

One probably doesn’t want the same molding as the previous one but always remember, while changing the old with a new pattern, select the identical thickness of the architrave to maintain evenness in the house.

While you are planning to alter, check all the frames in the house to see how close they fit the walls, especially the doors, and if the moldings are too close, then measure them to verify whether the new architrave will work or not. Following are some types of widths available:

• 70 millimeter: One of the molding’s most ordinary and classic breadth. People who prefer about 5-6 inches of skirting boards choose a 70mm architrave, which is approximately 3 inches, as it will go with them perfectly.
• 95 millimeter: These are another famous option of architraves. Sometimes, taller skirting, around 180mm or 196mm, is installed in our house; thus, the 70mm moldings will not be suitable for your boards. Therefore, one has to choose this 95mm width of around 4 inches which will help design the house according to the needs.
• 120 millimeter: The availability of this molding will is not ordinary. It is mainly used for boards that are 220mm or taller. Monarch 1 and Rome are the options that are available on the website and market.

Select the Thickness

The borders of the walls are generally more expansive than the skirting planks as it helps to give a clean look. However, if the walls of the houses are ideally square in shape, which is not ordinary in old houses, you can choose the exact width of the architrave as the boards.

Plinth blocks are the best option for this purpose to give the flawless adjustment between the skirting and architraves; they also provide a traditional look. Various types of depth in the moldings that are on MDF architraves are:

• 15 millimeter: It is typical, has the leanest thickness, and is most suitable for modern design homes or offices. But 15 mm depth cannot be used while manufacturing complicated patterns, as because of the thin material, the chances of cracking and breaking increase.
• 18 millimeter: This is the most commonly used architrave depth, mainly spotted in houses in the United Kingdom. Even though these are thin, the architrave of 18 mm thickness is comparatively heavy, although trouble-free to handle.
• 25 millimeter: The architraves of 25 mm are the widest planks in terms of depth, and it goes well with taller skirting boards. They are heavier due to the rise in thickness, just like the 18mm architraves.

Length

After deciding and choosing the breadth and the depth, the next important step is to select the length of the architrave, but you might get confused while picking as it can be difficult. Below are the options the lengths from which one can choose:

• 2440mm: It is the most frequently used and the shortest length in the architrave. Being the short one on the boards causes more wastage but is utilized in manufacturing doors at a certain height.
• 3050mm: The typical-sized entrances have the side and the top of the door frame of the same length. To get this specialty in a molding board, 3050 mm is the best option; you just have to slash the desired size and use the leftover for the top of the doorway.
• Solitary Architrave Set: For the purpose of one door border, one single set of the architrave will be suitable, whereas, for two door frames, you will need two single architrave sets. One solitary set provides a 2440 mm length for the side and 1220mm for the top of the doors.

Finishing

There are so many options available that are budget-friendly and easy to install for the final touch on your architrave. For the finishing look, three categories from which one can choose according to their need:

• Not primed architrave: While going for this option, one will only get unfinished with the sand color, and you have to remove the dust with the help of sandpaper. Pine architraves are one example of unprimed. Also, MDF architraves have no perks if the wooden planks are not primed.
• Primed: The architraves with a primer coating are best for the final look of the doorways and windows. Also, you will be saved from spending time in the sanding process.
• Undercoated: If someone chooses from the third category of finishing, the architrave received will be ready to use, and the painting of the undercoated board is optional.

Add to the cart

After selecting all the options mentioned above, you just have to click on the buying option to purchase your new architrave.

Architraves are necessary in the same way the skirting boards are. It will secure and cover all the shrinkage and the joints. This guide might help you select the accurate architraves for the skirtings as well as for your doorways.

Thank you for reading!