You might have seen an architrave. You might have noticed it, you might have touched it even. You might have walked past it Yet, you just don’t know the name of it. Curious?
Architrave is simple; it is the frame surrounding the doors and windows. Some designed it, others had it simple. But it is there, it exists but you just do not know what it is. Read on to know more about it.
Architrave: What is It?
Simply put, architrave is that trim that surrounds the door or a window or a wall opening. You can easily find it in:
- Around an internal door frame
- Above or beside windows
- The part where the frame meets a wall
It sticks out naturally, yet hides a messy joint between a frame or a plaster.
What is It Made of?
An architrave is made of MDF or medium-density fibreboard which is affordable, smooth, and easy to use for building things. There are others that are made of softwood or hardwood which are expensive in a way but it is very natural-looking.
These come in various shapes, like:
- Square edge
- Ogee
- Torus
- Chamfered
History of Architrave: A Quick One
The word architrave came from ancient ways for architecture. It was a beam nestled on the top columns in Greece or Roman buildings. Today, it has been used in modern buildings as:
- Protection
- Decoractive
- Added finish
Why is This Popular Now:
A good DIY is now a popular trend thanks to social media platforms. A lot of content right now is focused on DIY projects – making architraves as a part of that popularity. With that inspiration, home owners now have paid close attention to design and architecture hits the top.
Minimalism becomes the choice with more and more people opting for a lesser design rather than going big. Today, people are adding subtle trims like architrave into their homes.
Style options are getting bigger as more and more people are sharing their own projects. No one is sticking into one design now, as there are more styles, sizes and finishes to begin with. Architraves become an addition to that style too.
Texture without clutter screams for a good architrave since this one gives room good character without screaming too much.
Do You Need One?
That is the question you might be asking yourself now. Generally, you really do not have to get one. But there are good reasons why you might want to think about it too such as:
Benefits
- If you have messy gaps between the wall of your house and the frame.
- If you need something that provides a cleaner edge for painting.
- If you need to protect the corners from future damages.
- If you want to add a structure, design, or style in your room.
– if your answer is yes, then you may want to add architrave into your list. Not that you need to put it on immediately. All you need to do is to think about it more and do it once you are comfortable with this.
Tips to use it
- Choose paint or colors that match the style of the room.
- Keep it slim if you want to focus on copying modern looks.
- You can use the same materials you used around your home.
Conclusion
An architrave is a small detail that you put into somewhere around your house that is not easily noticed. But it serves its purpose in more ways than one. So if you are fixing or adding it into your home, consider the tips mentioned above. This will make it easier for you.
Now you know what an architrave is; it is one of those things that you can tell just by looking at it. This is your good to know moment!
