How to replace old architraves?

[PaulieP]

Does anyone know how we can identify and source older architraves? We have done a small reno and need to match our current older architraves

  

 

 

[EricL]

Hello @PaulieP 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us and thanks for sharing your question about your architrave.

You’re not limited to guesswork, but there’s no perfect detector for old architrave profiles, so the process is still mostly comparison. The best approach is to look for matching trim elsewhere in the house, since older homes often have intact sections on other doors, windows or hidden areas that you might be able to use. 

Another method to tracking it down is to use a profile gauge, it helps greatly because it copies the exact shape of the moulding, giving you a clear template to compare against supplier catalogues. Most timber merchants keep heritage profiles on record, so taking a contour gauge impression or a traced outline to a supplier makes identifying the closest match much quicker and far more accurate than relying on eyesight alone.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @Nailbag and @AlanM52 for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know. 

Eric

[AlanM52]

Hi @PaulieP,

That is Colonial Ogee but with a nose like that I think it's going to be difficult to find a match.

I have only once many years ago done a job like that (family friends) with a very similar nose profile and was able to pinch the attic bedroom skirting to use downstairs to complete a sunroom reno.

That is like what @EricL mentioned.

RE: since older homes often have intact sections on other doors, windows or hidden areas that you might be able to use.

Can you take some photos of the area so we have some idea of how much is needed.

Cheers

[Nailbag]

Hi @PaulieP 

Your have a few options here:

• Take the sample to an indepenant local building supplies timber yard that local trades would use
• Google: Buy "Heritage and Colonial Architraves Near Me"
• Google: "Heritage Building Supplies Near Me"
• If it's for a new room consider a profile thats easily available like the one pictured as the difference in profile will not be noticed.
• If you really get stuck, use architrave from another part of the home and replace that with the easily available one.
  
  Nailbag
  
  

[Dave-1]

Good Morning @PaulieP 

Yeah, pretty much going to repeat what the crew have been suggesting

Get a profile gauge (They are fun to play with, trully )

I will add for places to check out, recyled timber yards, I know of a large one in Melbourne and Canberra. There are small ones around Sydney also. One thing I suggest is to have a look on Facebook land for "Recyled timber" 

Dave

[R4addZ]

Hi @PaulieP 

One thing you can try is a Google lens search using the pictures you posted however I tried it and got a lot of hits for this thread. The AI also ripped off @EricL giving his advice as if it was it's own......

"The image displays a query on the Bunnings Workshop community forum from a user asking for advice on how to identify and source older architraves to match existing ones in their home. 

• The user needs to match their current older architraves after a small renovation.
• The best approach is to look for matching trim elsewhere in the house or use a profile gauge to copy the exact shape.
• Taking a contour gauge impression or a traced outline to a timber supplier makes identification quicker and more accurate than relying on eyesight alone.
• Most timber merchants keep heritage profiles on record."

However if all else fails and you really want to match the existing, there are manufacturers out there that specialise in making these matching trims in small lots, so you could request a quote from one of them but expect a high price.

Just as an example try this supplier

https://www.heritagedecorativetimber.com.au/architraves-skirting/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=198067...