What joints are used for installing skirting and architrave?

We are going to run through some background on what joints are used when fitting architraves and skirting boards.

When installing skirting boards and architraves there are lots of situations where joints need to be used. In this article, we will focus on the main six uses

The Butt Joint:- Used to join 2 pieces of skirting board along its length

Although this method is the easiest and quickest way to join 2 lengths;of skirting board together it will probably remain highly visible after decorating and will also be prone to cracking

The Headed Mitre Joint:- Used to join 2 pieces of skirting board along its length

When you need to join lengths of skirting board together to make it longer the best and neatest way is to use the Headed Mitre Joint. This method has several advantages over the easier Butt joint method. This joint will be easier to sand down and blend in, than a Butt Joint and the joint line will be far less visible after decorating, if the joint is cut correctly.

The Internal Mitre Joint:- Used to join 2 pieces of skirting baord at an internal corner.

This method of joining internal corners is probably much quicker and easier than the correct scribe joint. It is not normally recommended because there will be gaps in the joint if the walls are not square to each other and the joint will crack and open up when the boards shrink or expand with changes in room temperature and humidity.

Internal Scribed Joint:- Used to join skirting boards together at an internal corner.

Although this joint is trickier to cut than the internal mitre, this is the correct and best way to join skirting boards at an internal corner. Only the one board needs to be scribed and it will be okay to use on corners under 90° and if it is undercut it can be used in corners above 90°.

The External Mitre Joint:- Used to join 2 pieces of skirting baord at an external corner.

A mitre joint is the only way to join two skirting boards together at an external corner. The meeting pieces of skirting board are cut at reflecting 45° angles to create a 90° angle on the corner. This 45° cut angle can be adjusted to suit corners that arnt on a perfect 90° angle.

The Architrave Mitre:- Used to join together the legs and head of architrave door sets.

Unless you plan to fit Rosette Blocks this is the only way to join basic architrave legs and heads together.