The first architraves appeared in the times wooden houses. Despite the simplicity of the design, in order to build such a house, you need to have experience and knowledge in the field of architecture. The platband is a painted fresco, which is placed near window frame. The platband will not only original decoration, but will also perform a number of additional functions.
Due to their tight fit to the window frame, the platbands close the access to drafts in the window cracks, protect against dust and moisture ingress into the gaps, and also have heat-insulating properties. After all, foam is used to install platbands, which is already an excellent heat-insulating material.
Heat from the house will not go out through the window openings in the frame, which means that the cold will not enter the house. Also, the platband protects plastic windows from damage under the influence of moisture and temperatures. The only drawback is that the architraves eventually become unusable and will need to be restored. But after all, it is much more economical than doing the restoration of windows.
The next important factor is design. Architraves are cut-in figures made of wood or plastic, which are selected individually for the image of your house, so that the harmony and aesthetics of both window frames and the house as a whole are observed.
Types of platbands
The designs of the platbands are similar to each other, so it is difficult to characterize them in any way. Therefore, the types of platbands are divided by the material from which they are made:
- Plastic
- Wood
Now, in order about each type, its pros and cons.
Plastic architraves
Plastic platbands are more resistant to moisture on the surface, do not deteriorate under the influence of temperatures and are the longest in terms of service life. Modern technologies allow to make plastic architraves under the design of the tree.
Naturally, there will be noticeable differences in the contrast between natural wood and artificial, but do not forget about the other positive characteristics of plastic.
MDF architraves
MDF is a dense slab of sawdust and glue. To increase their service life, such plates are varnished, which significantly increases the time of operation and use of MDF.
Platbands made of wood
The most common are wooden architraves. Therefore, the types of wooden platbands are divided into the following types:
- Made from natural wood
- Environmentally friendly
Natural platbands are made from 100% wood. To extend the service life, such platbands are exposed to the processing of special materials that protect the surface from environmental influences.
Environmentally friendly platbands are made from safe materials which, in the event of a fire, will not emit harmful combustion products into the atmosphere.
Wood itself is a soft and plastic material, so you can make a platband of any shape and any size, which is a huge plus and significantly distinguishes wood against the background of platbands and other materials.
Installation of platbands
Beautiful wooden platbands are installed in three ways:
- Overhead
- Telescopic
- Finnish
Installation of overhead platbands is done on outside house and window frame. Telescopic installation has a curved shape of the letter "L" and is inserted into the grooves of the window.
The Finnish installation of platbands can be immediately noticed by the presence of a visor above the window and the simplicity of the form. The choice of platbands depends on your taste preferences.
Material for the manufacture of wooden platbands
Many platbands are created under old design 18th century from natural wood, but what kind of wood is best to use, read below. Perfect option- use the type of wood from which the house is made, so as not to disturb the structure and design of the house.
In other cases, it is best to make platbands from oak or beech. Due to the density of the material, it will be expensive to make it yourself design model or simply thread without special material.
If you are going to start making wooden platbands on your own, then it is best to use cherries or cherries. These grades are more susceptible to carving and are more commonly used in independent creation architraves.
Despite the type of wood, you need to remember the main rule - any wood must be varnished to protect the wood from environmental influences.
To emphasize the uniqueness and good taste the owner of the house, wooden architraves on the door will be a great addition to window frames. Thus, we can conclude that the use of platbands gives solidity to the house, and due to the universal component - wood, the platband can be made to order, taking into account your preferences.
Photo of wooden architraves
Carved platbands framing window openings fit organically into architectural styles wooden cottages. They emphasize the originality of log cabins, frame buildings, timber houses. Originality to the elements facade decor give light patterns, ornate ornaments, interesting drawings. They are applied to the surface of the wood using convenient stencils.
Functions of window frames
Maintaining the traditions of wooden architecture, carved details enrich the noble appearance of the estate, add expressiveness to simple buildings. They keep home warmth and comfort, delight when viewed from the outside. Stencils for window trims, selected in accordance with the preferences of the inhabitants of the dwelling, help to create a harmonious look of the new house, to revive the facade of the old building.
When used on window shutters decorative architraves can serve as a frame. Playing a decisive role in design decoration window openings, they solve a number of important tasks:
- reduction of heat losses due to the elimination of "cold bridges" along the perimeter of the window frame;
- reduction of noise level in the premises;
- reducing the amount of moisture and dust particles penetrating from the street;
- giving facades a unique, stylistic orientation;
- creation on the building site of a single architectural ensemble from residential and commercial buildings.
Regardless of the shape, size, appearance, wooden platbands must be strong enough to meet operational requirements. Stencil production with calculated geometric parameters allows them to be securely fastened to the walls. It provides resistance to wind loads, temperature fluctuations. To increase the service life, effective protective coatings are applied.
Traditional and original ornaments
The choice of design elements for window openings should be approached with an understanding of styles and design techniques. With their help, you can give the window an elegant or strict shape, make its outline more expressive, and achieve a delightful visual effect. Choosing life-size stencils as templates for window trims, the buyer receives the most advantageous decor option. Convenient dimensions allow you to proceed directly to the manufacture of products.
The attitude to wood as a material of art is traditional for the culture of Russian architecture. With the repetition of individual structural and decorative details, it provides for the creation of a unique architectural image. Carved platbands have long been considered not only as a means of decoration, but also as a kind of amulets for the home. Based on the study of the surviving ancient buildings, unique images of symbols, animals, birds, and plants have been recreated.
Samples of stencils for architraves are developed in different styles and for every taste. They help to express certain traditions, personal preferences. The use of ready-made ornaments makes it possible to design buildings in accordance with ethnic and classical trends in art. Clear geometric patterns more in line current trends in architecture.
Ornaments for slotted and overlaid platbands may contain a solid pattern or repeating elements of a common motif. To create a complete outline, when marking out parts, you need to take into account the size of the window opening, the scheme and sequence of patterns. High-quality stencils make it possible to accurately apply cut lines to the workpiece, to determine the boundaries of further processing of the material.
Marblewood (Diospyros marmorata) Family: Ebony Other names: zebrawood (Great Britain) Distribution: Andaman Islands and Guyana Marblewood - wood description The color of the heartwood is gray-brown with dark brown or black stripes. The wood is smooth, has an even texture and a straight grain. Weighs 1030 kg/m3. Marble wood requires care when drying. With slow drying, the material is not deformed. Mechanical properties Although wood...
Maracaibo boxwood (Gossypiospermum praecox) Family: Flacurtiaceae Other names: Venezuelan boxwood, Colombian boxwood, West Indian boxwood, zapatero (United Kingdom); Palo Blanco ( Dominican Republic); Pau Branco, Castelo, Zapateiro (Brazil) Distribution: Venezuela, Colombia and the West Indies Wood description Maracaibo Boxwood There is a slight difference between the sapwood and heartwood that ranges from almost white to lemon yellow. The grain is straight. The texture is smooth and shiny....
Soft maple (Acer rubrum) Family: Sapindaceae Commercial names: maple tree (Canada and USA); silver maple (Canada and USA); Manitoba maple (Canada); Pacific maple (UK); Oregon maple (USA) Distribution: Canada and Eastern USA Maple Soft - wood description The color of the wood is creamy white. The grain is straight. Soft Maple is less shiny than Hard Maple and the growth rings are comparatively indistinct. The weight…
Rock Maple (Acer saccharum) Family: Sapindaceae Commercial Names: maple (UK, Canada and US); white maple (USA); sugar maple (A. saccharum) or black maple (A. nigrum) (USA) Distribution: Canada and Eastern USA Stone maple - wood description The color of the wood is creamy white with a reddish tinge. Older trees may have a dark brown heartwood. The grain is straight. The texture is even. Average weight...
Japanese Maple (Acer mono) Family: Sapindaceae Distribution: Japan Japanese Maple - Wood Description Creamy brown to pinkish brown wood. Growth rings in the form of thin brown lines. The grain is straight. The texture is even. Weight depends on growth conditions. 610-710 kg/m3. Mechanical properties Japanese maple has good classification bending and averages for all power categories. The wood dries slowly....
Platbands are an important component for any window. Often they are associated with beautiful carvings that serve purely decorative purposes. But far from always they have a catchy appearance, and they have much more functions. This is a universal element that is necessary to protect windows and improve their insulating qualities. Therefore, their installation is recommended in almost any wooden house.
What are platbands for?
The platband decorates the window and makes it much more colorful. But initially its purpose was defensive. Platbands are used as an external element of the window frame, which not only protects it from damage, but also closes the mounting gap between the frame and the wall of the house.
This approach provides:
- Reduced heat loss;
- Elimination of through holes;
- Protection from dust and noise;
- Moisture protection.
Interesting ! Previously, platbands were also used as amulets. Because of this, they were given a colorful and non-standard look.
Although these advantages are not so significant in concrete and brick structures, for wooden houses they are extremely important. Over time, the wood can dry out and deform, which leads to gaps between the frame and the rest of the structure. Platbands allow you to slow down this process, as well as reduce the harm from existing holes.
Types of platbands
For houses, a lot of varieties of platbands are used. Often they differ in the material used, since they have a similar design. The main classification of platbands is according to the method of installation and marks two types of platbands:
- overhead;
- Telescopic.
The overhead version is considered the most common, being the old type. It is installed simple method over the window frame, thereby blocking access to the sun and precipitation to the joint. Installation of this type is very simple and does not require much effort.
The telescopic casing is more modern. Its fastening does not require additional elements such as screws or nails, because it is placed in the gap between the wall and the frame. Through this, it is securely fixed around the entire perimeter.
Priority is to use the telescopic mounting method. It is more convenient, because it more reliably covers the gap and prevents its deformation. However, its installation is complicated by the fact that for it it is necessary to completely remove the window, which is not always possible in wooden houses. In such cases, it is easier and more efficient to use an invoice platband.
Trim materials
Materials for platbands may be different. Often, wood is used for these tasks, which is recommended for wooden structures. But here several options are allowed, among which:
- Wood;
- Plastic;
Wood is a practical and natural option that is suitable for any structure. Due to its versatility, it can be given any ornament and style, and the use of the same type of material will allow it to perfectly complement.
Advice ! For better alignment, it is recommended to make platbands from the same wood as the structure. But if the texture is the same, then the color can be changed through special formulations.
Often it is chosen precisely because of the variety in the decor, because other materials require special processing on machine tools and rarely have similar decorating elements.
Although wood is reliable and durable, it does have its drawbacks. Among them are vulnerability to moisture and high temperatures. In addition, frost also has a negative effect on it, destroying and deforming the structure.
Plastic in this regard is much more convenient. It is practical and reliable, and wide opportunities during production, they allow you to give it any texture, including wood. But at the same time, it does not deform from moisture and temperature changes, and its lifespan is much longer. Another advantage of plastic is that it has fastener elements in advance, which allows you not to spoil the appearance of the platbands with nails or screws.
Perhaps the only drawback of plastic is its artificiality. Many owners do not want to complement their home artificial materials and reduce its environmental friendliness. A third option may help here.
MDF is boards made from wood waste. They are natural, but at the same time impregnated special formulations, which significantly increases the life of the material and protects it from exposure external factors. Often such platbands are laminated, which increases their lifespan and reliability. The only drawback of such elements is their relatively low strength compared to plastic and wood.
What material to take - the choice is purely individual. Each of them has its own advantages, but there are also disadvantages.
What wood is better
If the choice fell on wooden platbands, then it is important to note the choice of wood species. In fact, almost all options are suitable for this task, because they do not need to carry any load. But even here there are nuances.
The best option for platbands is oak or beech. This is a durable breed that can serve for a long time and not deform from moisture or heat. But the problem is that it is extremely difficult to work with. It is extremely difficult to cut patterns on such material on your own, and not every master will undertake this.
Advice ! The way out of this situation are special milling machines, the pattern on which is loaded into the program in advance.
If you need a softer and more inexpensive breed, then you can choose linden. It is easy to work with, but without careful processing, it will quickly collapse. You need to use high-quality antiseptics and some kind of coating, which can worsen its appearance.
An intermediate option for such a task is birch or pine. This is a fairly durable variety that requires only basic care. But it will be easy to work with her.
Preparing for installation
First you need to take all measurements from the window. It is important to choose the appropriate dimensions so that the frame outline does not peek out from behind the casing and is securely hidden. Next, the preparatory stages with the material are carried out.
If wood is used in the process of work, then you must first cut out the blanks of the platbands, decorate them at your discretion and process them. Plastic and MDF do not require processing, but wood needs impregnation protective compounds against moisture, and also for protection against insects.
Important ! All work is carried out with dry lumber. If it is poorly dried, then deformation after installation is possible, which will ruin all the work.
After measurements and processing, it is important to pre-mark the joints and fasteners on the platbands. All holes are pre-drilled. The platbands are carefully polished.
It is also important to prepare the place of work itself. Window joints are carefully isolated, because in the future access to them will be limited. If any insulation or repair work is planned, then they need to be done before installation.
You must first select the method of attachment. It is not required for telescopic architraves, but for invoices there are several options. Among them, the most popular are:
- Nails;
- Deaf spike;
- Through spike.
The first option is the simplest, but spoils the overall picture and creates an extra load on the material during installation. Therefore, spikes are more comfortable. A deaf spike involves the installation of small spikes on the window frame, and in the casing are made small holes under them. A through spike implies the same technology, but the hole in the casing is through.
If the house is built from a log house, then you need to make room for platbands. To do this, cut off the protruding edges, which can be done at an angle.
Installation of platbands in a wooden house
After carrying out all the preliminary procedures, the installation phase begins. To begin with, all the components of the casing are interconnected. To do this, you can use the same technologies of spikes, nails or glue. But the latter is often used as an auxiliary component.
During installation, when using spikes, you need to do the following:
- Mark the future location of the spikes on the frame and casing;
- Make or purchase spikes for this task;
- Drill appropriate holes in pre-marked places;
- Put the casing on the spike and fix it.
The first stage includes preliminary marking of the perimeter where the fasteners will be placed. It is important to evenly distribute the load, so it is worth placing them around the perimeter of the structure.
After acquiring or making spikes, future holes are drilled for them. This is a simple step, after which the actual installation process begins. The platband is carefully positioned so that all the spikes fall into the holes.
The task is quite simple, it is only important to accurately mark the future location of the fasteners. It is recommended to use glue during work to securely fix the structure after installation. This will reduce the risk of it falling and improve the insulation of the holes.
You can simplify the process with ordinary self-tapping screws. Although they will worsen the appearance, their use greatly simplifies installation.
Upon completion of the work, it is worth treating the working holes with a composition so that they do not absorb moisture. Further, it is only necessary to monitor the condition of the structure and take care of it if necessary.
The whole process is quite simple, it is only important to qualitatively connect all the elements and not to neglect preparatory stages installation. Due to this, this design will serve for a long time, decorating the house and protecting residents from drafts and moisture.
The tradition of decorating windows with carved platbands has come from ancient times. It was believed that window decoration with fancy patterns not only protects the room from drafts and cold, but also serves as a kind of protective amulet from evil spirits or evil eye.
A selection of templates for carved window frames
How to make a stencil for a platband
A stencil is a device for applying the same patterns and symbols to the desired surface. Before starting work on the manufacture of platbands, you will need to get stencils and templates. Finding a sketch for a carved platband is not difficult - they can be downloaded for free and in a wide variety on the Internet, purchased in specialized stores or found in magazines.
AT ready-made stencils and templates can be made on paper, cardboard or wood fiber. They only need to be attached to the surface of the future casing and circled. There are several ways to make a stencil yourself:
Stencils and templates are the main assistants in creating carved architraves. In the drawing, you need to take into account which pattern will be chosen for the various components of the casing.
Carved platbands include the following main details:
- top trim;
- vertical slats of the casing or frame;
- bottom bar or profiled window sill.
These are just the main elements, carved platbands can include many more decorative details: a diadem, coat hangers, flowerpots, and so on.
Transferring the contour of the drawing to the workpiece
After the sketch is created, you need to make a stencil directly, onto which all the elements of the pattern for carved platbands are transferred. You can transfer a contour to a workpiece in the following ways:
Cutting a platband according to a template - The most common way is when the pattern is cut out of thick paper or cardboard. The resulting templates are applied to the board and traced along the contour with a pen, felt-tip pen or pencil.
- The stencil can not be cut out, but transferred to future platbands through carbon paper.
- You can push the outline of the sketch through the paper onto the tree with a pen (leaving an inconspicuous trace). You can make the outline clearer without carbon paper by applying a layer of graphite on the back of the sheet with a soft, simple pencil.
You need to place stencils on the workpiece along the fibers of the tree: in the future, the thread of such a casing will not crack. For convenience, the places where the cuts will be made can be made colored.
Platbands are special strips for hiding assembly seams between window frame and wall. In addition to their direct purpose, platbands can be used to decorate the window and the facade of the house. To choose the right platbands and produce them correct installation check out our article.
The main rule when choosing platbands is that their material matches the material of the window. If you have a wooden window, then the casing should be wooden, if plastic, then plastic. Although there are exceptions, in the form of a successful combination of platbands and windows made of different materials.
Wooden architraves
Wooden platbands - made from planks with a thickness of at least 30 centimeters. The width of wooden architraves can be different, depending on the profile pattern and design. The profile pattern of simple wooden architraves is made using milling machine.
Advantages : affordable price, easy installation.
Disadvantages: poor design, poor resistance to moisture and temperature changes, the need for regular painting or varnishing.
Release form: rounded or beveled planks with a convex pattern, or smooth, 1.5-2 meters long.
Application area: hiding mounting seams on wooden windows. Additional protection seams from environmental factors.
Carved architraves
Carved wooden platbands are made manually or using a jigsaw. There are many options for the pattern of platbands: from a simple ornament to sacred symbols that protect the house from evil spirits. Self-manufacturing carved platbands is a job that requires skills in carpentry. If you want to make platbands with your own hands, but do not have experience, choose a pattern without complex elements.
Advantages: very beautiful appearance, the ability to ennoble the facade of the house without significant financial investments.
Flaws: high price, manufacturing complexity, fragility, the need for regular painting.
Release form: depending on individual order or manufacturer's design.
Application area: decoration of windows and the facade of the house, hiding assembly seams. 
Plastic architraves
Plastic architraves is a common name for slats made of plastic, polyvinyl chloride and foam. Platbands made of plastic are often included in the kit of the installed plastic window. Due to the specifics of the production of this type of platbands, they cannot be made at home. Plastic platbands can have a regular and carved pattern. Installation of planks is carried out on special fasteners, liquid nails, glue or double-sided tape.
Advantages: resistance to moisture, long-term operation, easy installation.
Disadvantages: the fragility of some products, a small choice of design when imitating carved platbands.
Release form: smooth, carved or profiled strips, 1.5-2.5 meters long.
Application area: hiding mounting seams on plastic, sometimes wooden windows. Additional protection of mounting joints from environmental factors. 
Platbands from MDF
Due to the weak resistance to moisture, platbands from fibreboard medium density is recommended to be used only for interior window decoration. MDF planks are great for wooden windows, especially if they repeat the color and texture of the tree. Platbands are fastened with nails, screws or glue.
Advantages: low price, good appearance.
Disadvantages: poor resistance to moisture, inability to use for exterior decoration.
Release form: smooth, rounded or profiled strips, 1-3 meters long.
Application area: interior decoration wooden or plastic windows. 
Aluminum architraves
Aluminum platbands are mainly designed to hide assembly joints when installing windows and stained-glass windows made of the same material. By appearance and design, aluminum architraves strongly resemble plastic trims. Fastening of aluminum platbands is carried out on a special profile or latches.
Advantages: strength, durability.
Disadvantages: poor combination with windows made of other materials.
Release form: aluminum strips with different kind drawing except carved, 1.5-2.5 meters long.
Application area: external and internal finishing of windows and stained-glass windows from aluminum. 
Making platbands with your own hands
You can make platbands yourself only from wood. To do this, you will need a special tool and wooden planks.
simple platbands
To make simple wooden platbands, you will need:
- Electric jigsaw.
- Planer (simple or electric).
- Sander.
- Mill (manual or machine).
- Fine-grained sandpaper.
- Wooden planks with a section of 30x100 mm.
Manufacturing technology simple architraves:
- Treat all sides of the wooden planks with a planer.
- Install the profile drawing attachment on a manual or stationary machine.
- Process the front side of the casing with a cutter.
- Perform final sanding sandpaper or grinder.
In the absence of a milling machine, you can make platbands with smooth surface. To do this, using a planer, bevel the front side of the plank at an angle of 20-30 degrees and sand it with sandpaper.
Carved architraves
If you are going to make wooden platbands with carved pattern, keep in mind that this is not a fast business and requires "iron" patience. To create carved platbands, in addition to the basic tools, you will need a set of special chisels with different blade shapes and manual jigsaw. To make it easier to navigate large selection patterns, below are a few templates for cutting: 
There are two ways to make carved platbands - conventional and overhead. AT the usual way, the pattern is cut directly on the casing itself. In the overhead method, the pattern is made in the form of overlays, at least 10 millimeters thick, in which case the overlay is attached to the main casing. For beginners, it is recommended to use the overhead method, because in the case of an unsuccessful pattern, the overlay can be replaced with a new element.
The right choice of wood species for carved platband is very important. Easier to carve conifers wood because they are soft. Architraves from hard rock larches will last longer.
If you have not done wood carving, for the first time choose a very simple pattern and as your skill increases, move on to more complex ornaments. 
Stages of manufacturing a carved platband in an overhead way:
- Prepare the basis for the platband, for this, process the planks with a thickness of 30 millimeters.
- Make overhead strips with a thickness of at least 10 centimeters.
- Draw on thick paper or cardboard the elements of the future pattern.
- Cut out the pattern elements with scissors.
- Install the cut out stencil on the overlay bar and transfer the pattern to it.
- Using a drill and a jigsaw, make notches according to the markup.
- Finish the edges of the recesses with chisels, round the edges and finish the contours.
- Grind the finished lining element.
- Install the overlay on the main casing, securing it with glue or nails.
- Having collected all the overhead elements in one composition, proceed to install the platbands on the window.
Platband installation
Installation of wooden platbands
You can install wooden platbands on the window using nails, screws or glue. Planks are attached to the sides and top of the frame. In some cases, the platband is installed on lower part windows, if provided by the design.
For a beautiful docking of simple platbands, their edges are cut at an angle of 45 degrees. This can be done with a hacksaw and a miter box.
In the case of a deep location of the window in the opening, the platbands can be placed on the wall using extensions.
The fastening of the platband to the wall depends on the material from which it is made. For wooden wall it will be enough to use nails or screws, for concrete or brick - dowel screws.
Installation of carved platbands mainly depends on their pattern and composition. Docking carved platbands produced in such a way as not to disturb the overall pattern.
After installation, the platbands are treated with impregnation for wood, then painted or varnished.
Installation of plastic and aluminum platbands
Correct installation plastic and aluminum platbands, requires a special installation profile, which is attached to the frame. The platbands are installed in a groove located on the profile. In the absence of a profile, platbands are installed on fasteners-latches attached to the frame or wall. In rare cases, plastic architraves can be fixed with glue, but this species attachment is unreliable.
When using telescopic architraves, fastening is carried out by inserting the edge of the bar into the groove, which is located on the frame.
Foam platbands, fastened only with glue.
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