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
What future infrastructure provision might look like.
Highlighting the health benefits of home improvement.
Pavilions for music, entertainment, and leisure. Book review.
Broadening our understanding of Dublin’s chequered social history.
What are those little green huts?
The charm of London's Cabmen's shelters.
Future Weather Files research tool looking for feedback.
Exploring the Colour Rendering Index.
Why it's important to find out what went wrong.
ECA reviews the shape of the construction job market.
Why proper room acoustics make a difference.
Initiative puts gas networks on the path to net zero.
WICE Woman Architectural Technologist of the Year 2019.
Traditional low-energy approaches to comfort.
Revisiting the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet in Ashford.
USA In-Use Version 6 is now available.
The rise of architectural barbarism.
In contentious political contexts heritage can be more fractious.