Architrave Profile Drawings: How to Get a Made-to-Match Architrave Copied Exactly

An architrave profile drawing is a scaled, end-on outline of the moulding that frames a door or window. It is what a joinery mill needs to grind cutters and machine a new architrave that sits flush beside the old one. If your existing architrave is discontinued, imperial-sized or simply not available in the shops, a good profile drawing is the first step to getting an exact match.

What is in a profile drawing?

A useful drawing shows the cross-section as if you had sawn through the architrave and looked at the cut end. It records the overall width and thickness, the shape of every bead, cove, step and quirk, and the way the back of the moulding sits against the wall or door lining. Dimensions are marked on the drawing, and the profile is drawn at full size or to a stated scale so the mill can check it against a physical sample.

How to capture your existing architrave

• Take an offcut if you can. A clean piece about 100-150mm long from a hidden spot, such as behind a door or at a section being replaced, carries the true shape, depth and timber in one go.
• Trace the end. Hold a sharp pencil against the cut end and trace the outline on card, or press a profile gauge against the moulding and trace the shape it takes.
• Measure the key sizes. Note the overall width, the thickness and the height of any step or bead. Use millimetres, and say if the original is in inches.
• Photograph square on. Take clear photos of the end and the face with a ruler in the frame so the mill can judge scale.
• Allow for paint. Layers of paint round off crisp edges, so the profile on the wall can look softer than the timber beneath. Mention how many coats you think there are.

From drawing to made-to-match architrave

Once the profile is drawn and checked, the mill grinds cutters to the shape and runs new lengths, then checks them back against your sample. You choose the timber: for painted work a stable, paintable species is usually enough, while stained or clear-finished work needs a closer species match so the grain and colour blend. You can identify likely species in our wood database.

Which page should I start from?

Related guides

• Made to match: how to get existing skirting, architrave and mouldings replicated exactly
• How to measure wood mouldings
• Replica mouldings: matching any profile
• Historic mouldings: identify, match and replicate

Ready to get your architrave matched?

WoodUChoose is a matching marketplace. Tell us about your profile, share your sample details and we connect you with UK timber specialists who can replicate it and quote for the job. Start your made-to-match request. If a standard stock profile fits within a millimetre or so, a builders' merchant will usually be cheaper, and matching is best kept for the profiles you cannot buy.