In the construction industry, as with any industry, there are many examples of jargon that can confuse the layman. One of the most prevalent that we come across is the difference between skirting board and architrave.

In essence, skirting board is used to cover the join with the floor at the bottom of a wall, whereas architrave (or ‘moulding’) is used around the edges of structures, such as doors and windows.

Here at Cawarden Brick & Tile Company Limited, we are reclaim specialists and have a fantastic range of both skirting board and architrave. Using our experience, we go into more detail about these fixtures in our latest blog post below.

Skirting Board

an image of a side table and skirting board

The main purpose of skirting board is to hide the untidy joint between the wall and the floor but is also useful for protection against knocks, kicks, and furniture. Over time, skirting board has also developed an aesthetic appeal and become a decorative feature. This is especially prevalent in the UK, where there are many different styles available, which are often named after the time period (i.e. Edwardian or Victorian) they became popular in.

Architrave

an image of window architrave

Historically, the term ‘architrave’ referred to the beam that rests upon the capitals of columns as a feature of Classical Architecture, which derives from the principles of the Greeks and Romans. Today, however, it refers more casually to the ‘mouldings’ that surround features such as windows and doors, with the most familiar example for most being a door frame. Interestingly, ‘architrave’ comes from the Greek for ‘door frame’.

Architrave serves a similar purpose to skirting board in that it hides untidy joints and protects the join. However, it’s much more commonly used for decorative purposes, which harks back to its origin in Ancient Greece.

Easy to Confuse

It’s easy to see why these terms might be confused - they both serve similar purposes and can even share some visual characteristics. It’s still always worth knowing the difference for reference during your next construction or renovation project, though.

Cawarden Brick & Tile Company Limited

If you would like to enquire with the Cawarden Brick & Tile Company Limited team regarding our options for skirting board and architrave, you can contact us by calling 01889 574066 or filling out our simple contact form and we will be able to help.