Thread: Architrave Nails

I am not an expert but seeing as you haven't had a response my thought are.

Architrave is shaped with a hollow at the back so that it will cup towards the outer edges and also a dart in the centre will hold it firm on the outer edges.

All that is required is a dart down the centre of a 75mm architrave as it is only trim so no need for rock solid results.

If you do as you plan and nail both sides then the architrave might twist with the frame and cladding and therfore at the mitres you might find it does not fit flat.

I always wack a dart across the mitre on the edge of the architrave to hold the corners tight.

Unless WRS is acidic I would use standard nails.

Now either I am fairly close or if I am not then it should prompt somebody to point out the right way to do it.

Use 45mm nails out of a brad gun. The nailing you have shown there is fine, just dont nail too close the mitres as they most probably will open up if the nail sticks good.

Thanks guys

For your help

Would you use a good PVA glue inthe mitres external or an expoxy? before nailing mitres?

I have a brad gun air powered and 50mm brads, not sure if there galvinised or not but guess it does not matter if there sealed with filler and protected with sealer.

Is it wise only to nail to window frame timber so as when movement occurs the timber will move freely with windows frame. Is it ok to nail off to weather board clad as well.

Is it easier to make the whole frame up all four sides mitred together and then nail to window or should I start with the head first and work my way around

Yeah glue your mitres and nail it with a little brad, there about 12mm or 15mm long. Yeah nail it off to clad aswell, you wouldnt want to much movement that breaks nails. And yeah just do it piece by piece starting with the head and work your way around, doesnt matter which way you go, just gotta make sure you get your qwerks right otherwise it will look funny once you get the last one.

its very unusual to have a mitered architrave as a sill on an external window. Usually the sill is thicker and the archs sit on it. Pin gun nails are a bit thin on wrc and dont hold well. use more and wet paint the window and arch as you put them together. In Tas we have the w,boards all fitted up to the archs not slipped in behind. Makes a more weather proof job and less siper holes.

I'd use the yellow wood glue - sands really well and sticks really well. That way if there is any unevenness at the corners you can sand them down and the glue fills any smal gaps.

To glue the mitres use polyurethane glue which is waterproof or Titebond 3 which is a waterproof PVA style glue.