Skirting is used as a decorative finish to mask the join between the wall and the floor. Architrave is also a decorative finish, but is used to mask the join between frames and walls.
Both items can made from several different materials such as hardwoods, softwoods and MDF ( Medium Density Fibreboard )
Both skirting and architrave are commonly grouped in a category known as mouldings. This category includes other mouldings such as Dado rail, Picture rail, and Cornice.
They come in a wide variety of widths and depths dependant on their application. In addition to this they also come in many different profiles.
TASK STANDARDS
To complete this task you must mark out, cut and fix skirting and architrave, according to the specification given. You should work in a safe manner at all times and should leave your work area and tools clean and tidy.
Pass
Skirting mitres tight without a gap exceeding 1mm
Square scribe tight without a gap exceeding 1mm
Obtuse mitre was correctly bisected
Architrave mitres tight without a gap exceeding 1mm plus
The architrave margin is 8mm within +/- 3mm
Mouldings were securely fixed with nails punched below the surface.
Merit
All the pass criteria have been achieved
The architrave margin is 8mm within +/- 2mm
There were no bent nails.
The task was completed with only one hammer mark.
Distinction
All the pass criteria have been achieved
The architrave margin is 8mm within +/- 1mm
There were no split timbers.
The task was completed with no hammer marks.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO NOW
Study all of the resources provided for this task, including videos, drawings, and written instructions
You should practice this exercise before attempting the task, your tutor will tell you when you are ready
Always work in a safe and tidy way
Make sure your work has your name on it and is stored safely at the end of each session
Don't forget to complete the sign-off documents with your tutor and answer the oral question
IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS
Once you have passed this assignment, you can improve your skills with the optional extension tasks provided. These are obtuse internal scribes and fitting skirting and architraves to undulating surfaces.
Do your own research to find out in which rooms it wouldn't be advisable to use MDF skirting and architrave.
Once you have completed your practical task you need to discuss your results with your tutor and complete some sign off documents, your tutor will show you how to do this.
Mark parallel off the studwork/wall at all the internal and external joint areas
Bisecting the angle. Line up the front and back lines with the blade of a sliding bevel, and mark a line on the floor through them. This is the bisected angle used to mitre the skirting. The sliding bevel can now be set to this angle.
Complete the bisecting process for all the angles involved.
Always try and cut the longest sections of skirting first. This is because if it is cut incorrectly you can use the skirting for smaller pieces.
Place the skirting in the correct position
Mark the bisected angle vertically up the face of the skirting.
Then using your sliding bevel mark the mitres on the skirting, making sure they are the correct orientation.
Then cut.
Complete the above process for all the external mitres.
Fix the skirting back to the walls leaving them just proud, using either lost-head or oval nails, in pairs vertically. This helps reduce the cupping effect on larger softwood skirting.
Marking out for an internal scribe
Firstly take your bisected angle and mark the skirting up as if you were making an internal mitre.
Carefully cut along the internal mitre line.
Cut along the profile created by the internal mitre
The cut should be at the full angle,in this case 90 degrees.
Using the two methods described, complete the rest of the skirting jig.
Check all gaps are no larger than 1mm and that all nails are punched below the surface.
Mark a margin line 8mm in from the inside edge of the lining
place the lengths of architrave against the margin line and tack into position.
Using the same method as skirting, bisect the angle and set your sliding bevel to that angle.
Mark up the architrave ready for the cut.
Cut and fix in place, remembering to leave the nails proud ready for punching below the surface.
Place a length of architrave upside down to the uprights and mark it off for its overall length.
Using your sliding bevel mark on the angle to be cut
Cut to the line and fix in position.
Repeat step 12 for the final piece and fix in position.
Punch all nails below the surface.