Architrave, coving and skirting tips and tricks

[macadonald]

Hi Guys,

Okay plastering is now done and looking very good. Plan on putting on a mist coat this weekend, but have a couple of questions regarding the order of attaching the architraves, skirting and ceiling coving?

Has anyone got any tips for attaching these?

Does the architrave get attached to both the wood of the door casing and somehow glued to the plaster? How? Should these generally be done before or after hanging the door?

Should the architrave go down to the floor boards or leave a small gap so the carpet goes underneath?

Similarly, the skirting although I've done this before with rawl plugs and grip.

What about the coving? I know you get the adhesive, but is there a best way of doing this. Sure in our last place the corners were small sections with longer sections between these. Is this normal or should you try to have the joins towards the middle?

I guess you just measure equal distance inwards from the ceiling and down the wall to ensure it's level.

Lastly, is it okay to put the mist coat on before the architrave, skirting and coving?

Thnaks

Kyle

 

[diyreg]

Gripfill Skirting
Architrave is nailed to the door with lost head nails and a centre punch
Paint wall before attaching painted woodwork hence no need to cut in
You can buy bags of powder coving adhesive.

Good luck!

 

[misterhelpful]

Architrave is nailed to the door lining as diyreg says - not glued to plaster - and done after hanging door which gives scope for adjusting the lining if necessary. It should go down to the floor.

Fix skirting with screws and plugs for guaranteed solidity. A little adhesive as well wouldn't be a bad thing.

You can measure your lines for the coving but if the walls/ceiling aren't running true you can expect them to be slightly off level. You can only work with the shape of your walls otherwise you could end up with huge gaps. Bagged or readymix cove adhesive is the best for the job. Apply liberally all along the back edges, press into place and clean off the excess as you go. A few temporary nails under and above the coving may be required until it is dry. You can put the joins anywhere really but try to keep them out of your direct eyeline. Mitred joins are easier to fill and hide than straight ones, but are trickier to cut.

Coving should be fitted before any painting is done to avoid damage. The same can be said for the woodwork which will allow you to caulk the edges before painting the walls. You can prime/undercoat it before fixing. It's wise to prime the back of the skirting as well, especially when fitting to ground floor brick/stone walls to avoid any damage from moisture. If you are not painting the woodwork then it can be done after the mist coat but you will still have to fill any gaps before the finishing paint goes on the walls.

 

[hotrod]

Sweet Jesus of Nazarus .

Screw / countersink and plug skirts then you can fill.

Hang your door then fix arcs to linings / casing with 1½" - 2" ovals (dependant on arc profile). Don't forget to knock a couple through the mitred angles. Don't worry about "glueing" it to the plaster, your caulking bead will hide any gap.

No need to leave a gap in between the floorboards and arcs.

You can "pin" the coving whilst the adhesive goes off to support it. You can mist coat before second fix joinery but don't got any further with your decoration.

 

[macadonald]

Guys,

Thanks for all the very helpful responses. Exactly what I was after. Did a bit of good old youtube last night and found some useful guides.

Still a little concerned about only gluing/nailing the architrave to the woodwork. I only have the thickness of the door casing. Can't be more than 22mm. There's no thicker door frame as such. Are you suggesting that that with caulk, will be enough?

Thanks again

 

[Nige F]

Sweet Jesus of Nazarus .

.

Nazareth or Lazarus - both raised from the dead - like your jokes