Avoid these mistakes When Buying Internal Door Architraves
- Not measuring properly – Make sure to measure the exact width and height of your door frames before purchasing architraves. Getting the wrong size can mean they don’t fit or look uneven.
- Buying low quality materials – Opt for architraves made from quality wood like oak rather than cheaper softwoods which can warp over time.
- Not considering the style – Make sure the architrave style matches the decor of your home. Classic, contemporary or ornate profiles are available.
- Forgetting to buy extra – Purchase extra architrave lengths to allow for errors and breakages during installation.
- Not checking the edges – Inspect architraves before purchasing and avoid any with splintered or uneven edges.
- Ignoring the finish – Consider whether a painted or natural wood finish will work best in your home.
- Not purchasing sufficient fixings – Make sure to buy the right type and amount of screws, nails or adhesive needed to install the architraves.
- Forgetting end caps – Don’t forget end caps to give architraves a neat, finished look. Match the cap material and finish.
- Not allowing time for acclimatization – Let architraves adjust to your home’s temperature and humidity for 1-2 weeks before fitting to prevent warping.
Door architraves play a golden role in improving the interior design of your home. They are decorative moldings you install around your door to hide joints between the door frame and walls.
This promotes the success of your interior design project. However, you need to buy the best-fit architraves for excellent results.
Moreover, you should be cautious when buying them to enable you to make good choices. Here are the common mistakes other people usually make you need to avoid.
1. Wrong Measurement
The length of the architraves you buy is important because if you don’t consider it, you can end up ordering those that won’t fit on your door. Good enough, you will find different lengths on the market and these are measured in millimeters. The most common options include:
2440mm length
3050mm length
4200mm in length.
The first option is the smallest and it is the best fit for average door heights. However, architraves of 3050mm in length are great for standard-sized doorways.
So you need to first understand the length you need before placing your order. And you can seek advice from the seller if you are puzzled by the selection process.
Learn more: What is virtual home remodeling?
2. Not Considering the depth
You should also consider the depth of the architraves before buying them. Architraves are usually thicker than skirting boards which enable a clean transition in your home. However, you can as well get those of the same thickness as your skirting boards, but it applies to perfectly square walls for the best results. The thickness is also measured in millimeters like the length, and here are the popular options at MDF Skirting World:
15mm Thickness
18mm Thickness
25mm Thickness
Architraves of 15mm thickness are standard types that suit modern designs and save floor space.
But 18mm thick architraves are the most commonly used in various homes and are heavier but easy to handle.
Guess what? 25mm thick architraves are great options too because they fit on almost all door designs, unlike their counterparts that can’t fit on all.
Have a project to design? We know how to do interior design effectively >
3. Choosing A Wrong Supplier
You need to consider the retailer or supplier from whom you buy the door architraves. It is important to get them from trusted companies on the market with the best services. You can easily identify one by looking at a number of factors:
Customer reviews
Quality of products produced
Customer support system
Level of experience.
So after examining that the company has most of the above features, you can buy from it.
Remember, only reputable companies are worth buying from. And you should avoid unpopular retailers because they are likely to give you poor-quality products and services.
4. Buying Unprimed Architrave
You need to decide whether you buy unprimed or primed architraves because this has an impact on the final appearance of the boards.
Many people make the mistake of buying unprimed architraves because they are cheaper. Then paint them without a prime touch which affects the final look of the architraves.
You only buy unprimed architraves if you have enough time to add finishing to them before applying paint. But if you paint the architraves without treating them, then you won’t get your desired look and it affects their durability as well.
It is better to buy those that are already primed and undercoated to be on the safe side. Then you can paint them with your desired color according to your interior design needs.
5. Not Considering Your Budget
The first thing you need to consider before anything else is your budget. This is because it determines the type of door architraves you should buy. You will find different types of designs on the market.
Well, the more sophisticated the design you want, the higher the price. Not only that but the stronger the material, the more the price.
It is important to first examine the various designs and materials of different retailers and their prices. It helps you to budget for the best-fit door architrave you can afford.
6. Poor Installation
Another challenge many people face with their door architraves is poor installation. You need to hire professionals with a high level of experience to handle the job to perfection. Experts understand the importance of installing the architraves square and level for the best results.
You should ensure that they are installed evenly to prevent gaps from forming and a spirit level helps you to do the check-up.
More so the door framing must be checked before the installation to confirm that it isn’t out of alignment. If it is, then the person you hired for the job needs to adjust the door frame before starting the task.
Learn more: How to recognize shoddy work?
Not only that but you can also embrace adhesive caulk because it helps in sealing any gaps and cracks between the architrave and the wall.
All this is understood by the right architraves installation company because it has handled several other projects before. The team of experts knows the right things to do for a successful installation.
7. Buying Poor Quality Finish
You also have to consider the material of the door architrave because this determines its durability. Buying one made from good quality material is the best choice you can ever make.
The architrave serves its purpose for a long time without any need for replacement. This means it saves you from incurring any unplanned costs of replacement soon.
To get more information about the various materials, you can inquire from the suppliers or retailers. They have enough information on each, and their prices vary. If you want architraves of the best quality material, you have to prepare more money but they are worth it.
Here are some good and bad materials for internal door architraves:
Good Materials:
- Oak – Durable hardwood that can be stained or painted. Resists warping.
- Poplar – Affordable hardwood, takes paint and stain well. Stable material.
- MDF – Smooth composite wood good for painted architraves. Won’t warp.
- PVC – Durable synthetic material, low maintenance. Flexible for curved architraves.
- Pine – Softwood that stains nicely, though more prone to denting. Inexpensive.
Bad Materials:
- Particle board – Prone to chipping and swelling. Lacks durability.
- Chipboard – Falls apart easily if it gets wet. Low quality material.
- Plywood – Thin veneer prone to peeling. Not smooth enough for architraves.
- Unsealed wood – Absorbs moisture and warps without proper sealing. Avoid raw cedar.
- Low density plastics – Can look and feel flimsy. Lack sturdiness of wood/PVC.
The best options provide both aesthetics and long-lasting structural integrity for high-traffic architraves. Lower quality materials may be affordable but won’t stand the test of time.
8. Not Considering the Width
If you have some architraves in your home you are planning to replace, you need to consider their width.
Remember, if you are replacing only a few of them, you need to take note of the width of the remaining ones and buy new architraves of the same to match.
On the other hand, if you are installing new ones throughout your home, you need to consider the gap between your door frame and the walls.
This is because you should choose architraves of a width that fits even if your door frame is near the border. And the most commonly used options are 70mm wide.
9. Ignoring Discounts
Discounts are popular on the market and when you visit various online and land-based stores, you will find many of them.
Some customers ignore them, thinking that they are traps to poor quality products. However, even reputable companies in the industry give discounts.
So you must embrace any offers given by any supplier or retailer you buy from. This is because it helps you to get the door architraves at reduced prices.
Make an Informed Buying Decision
Understanding the right things to do before and when buying door architraves help you to make informed buying decisions.
Places like MDF Skirting World have top-notch products and guide you in purchasing the best items.
Q: What are door architraves?
A: Door architraves are decorative trims that are used to frame the door opening. They cover the gap between the wall and the door frame and add an elegant finishing touch to the interior.
Q: Why is it important to invest in good quality door architraves?
A: Door architraves not only enhance the appearance of your door and room but also provide additional protection to the edges of your door.
Good quality architraves also last for many years to come, making them a valuable investment.
Q: What are the common mistakes to avoid when buying door architraves?
A: Some common mistakes to avoid when buying door architraves include incorrect measurements, underestimating the amount of architrave needed, not taking the time to trim the door properly, and not investing in good quality architraves.
How Do You Know Your Home Needs a Makeover project? You can find out in Home Makeover Guide.
Q: Can I install door architraves myself?
A: Yes, it is possible to install door architraves yourself if you have some DIY experience.
However, it’s important to take accurate measurements, use the right tools and techniques, and choose the right type of architrave for your project.
Q: How do I measure my door frame for architraves?
A: To measure your door frame for architraves, you’ll need to measure the height and width of the frame accurately. Be sure to measure from the top of the door to the floor and from the side of the door to the wall.
You should also measure the thickness of the door and the width of the architrave you’re planning to use.
Q: What type of architrave should I choose?
A: There are many different types of architraves available on the market, including styles that range from traditional to contemporary.
It’s important to choose an architrave that complements the rest of your interior decor and is suitable for the type of door you have, such as a solid wood door or a panelled door.
Q: How do I fix door architraves to my door frame?
A: To fix door architraves to your door frame, you’ll need to use screws or nails and a suitable adhesive, such as glue.
It’s important to make sure that the architraves are attached to the wall framing for added durability. You should also use a spirit level to ensure that the architraves are straight and level.
Have a project to design? We know how to do interior design effectively >
Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when trimming the door for architraves?
A: One common mistake when trimming the door for architraves is cutting the wood too short or unevenly, which can result in gaps or crevices.
Another mistake is using the wrong tools or techniques, such as using a saw rather than a trimmer. It’s also important to remove any dust or plaster around the edge of the door to ensure a smooth finish.
Q: Will door architraves need to be trimmed around a carpet?
A: Yes, if you have a carpeted floor that sits flush with your door frame, you will need to trim some of the architrave to fit correctly.
A good way to do this is to use a cardboard template to mark the shape and size of the carpet and then trim the architrave accordingly.
Q: How can I prevent my door from hitting the wall when it swings open?
A: You can prevent your door from hitting the wall by using a door stop or an overlapping architrave.
A door stop is a small device that attaches to the wall or floor to stop the door from opening too far, while an overlapping architrave extends slightly beyond the edge of the door to provide additional protection.
