Cornice coving and architrave definitions
The terms cornice, coving and architrave are frequently used incorrectly, or used as if they are interchangeable.
A cornice is a profiled moulding used to conceal the joint between a wall and a ceiling so that it does not have to be finished and any cracking along the joint is hidden.
A cornice can be plain or highly decorative.
Plain cornice may be referred to as ‘coving’.
[above, decorative cornice]
[above, plain cornice or coving]
Typically cornice and coving are made of plaster, paper-covered plaster, polyurethane, expanded polystyrene or timber.
An architrave is a moulding that sits above a door, window or other opening, where the architrave extends across the top of the side mouldings to the opening. However, in the modern construction industry, the term architrave it is frequently used to refer to any horizontal or vertical mouldings that form the surround to a door, window or other opening.
Typically an architrave will be made from timber, although if it is ornate it may be made from similar materials to cornice and coving.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Which room is the most fun to design? Find out the 'Grand Designs' presenter's unusual choice in our interview.
Full suite of speakers are announced for this year's BSRIA Briefing event.
Book your place for the Architectural Technology Awards 2018.
There are many ways of classifying types of building. Have a look at our range of building articles.
BSRIA have launched the 'major update' of the go-to design framework guide for building services.
How to get results with building life cycle assessment.
Government publishes a prospectus inviting proposals for new 'garden communities'.
The Morandi motorway bridge in Genoa collapses during rainstorm while undergoing maintenance works.
'Developed design' is a phrase coined by the RIBA for their 2013 Plan of Work. But what does it actually mean?
New green paper published aiming to rebalance the relationship between landlords and residents and tackle stigma.
RIBA calls for a comprehensive ban on combustible materials.