In very common work the grounds consist only of the upright posts or styles, and are not framed into a head at all; in other cases a head is provided, but the styles, instead of being framed, are merely halved or notched into it.

Fixing Grounds

The grounds should be fixed before the plastering is commenced; they form a "screed" or guide, to which the surface of the second coat is floated (see p. 182).

It is therefore important that the grounds should be solidly and accurately fixed, their surfaces and edges should be perfectly-true, and so firm that they will not be easily disturbed by the plasterers.

In fixing grounds the face of the ground should project about ¾inch from the naked wall, if it is to be rendered or plastered; or the same distance from the battens, if it is to be battened, lathed, and plastered.

The inner edges of grounds for door and window openings should be kept perfectly plumb, and equidistant from the centre line of the opening, the face of the ground being parallel to that of the door or sash-frame.

The width of such grounds will depend upon their finish; also upon the nature of the opening.

If with linings, the grounds may be from 3 to 6 inches wide, the linings being attached to their edges (Fig. 174). If the grounds are wrought, the architrave or fillet covering the junction of the plaster with the ground may lap over about half the width of the ground (Fig. 174). When boxings are used the grounds will be of sufficient width to contain the shutter and back-flaps required, and may be wrought (Fig. 177) or covered with a double-faced architrave (Fig. 178).

Several examples of grounds are given in pages 81 to 93, and there described, so that it will be unnecessary to enter upon them further in detail at present.

Architraves are borders fixed round the openings of doorways or windows for ornament, and also to conceal the joint between the frame and the plastering.

These borders may be of almost any pattern or dimensions to suit the character of the room.

They are sometimes covered with elaborate mouldings, or made in the form of a pilaster.

The mouldings of the architrave may extend down to the floor as in Fig. 164, or they may rest upon blocks or plinths as in Fig. 168.

The architrave should never be fixed until the plastering is completed and quite dry. It should then be placed so as well to cover the joint (see Fig. 171).

Grounds fixed to the wall are generally provided to form a support to the architrave, and are covered by it (see Fig. 171). But in some cases, as already mentioned, the ground itself forms the face of the architrave, as in Fig. 172, or in inferior work it may serve all purposes, as shown in Fig. 173.

In order to save labour, and to avoid large pieces of timber, architraves are generally built up in parts glued together. Examples of this will be seen in Figs. 171, 181.

These parts generally consist of a flat portion or base, which is merely a board, beaded, or otherwise ornamented, on edge, and called the face. This is surmounted by mouldings according to taste.

Larger architraves are formed of pieces of different thicknesses tongued together, as in Fig. 166. Those made by machinery may, however, be procured all in one piece.

Double-Faced Architrave

When the base of the architrave is not of equal thickness throughout, but stepped back in the centre, as shown in Fig. 178, it is said to be "double-faced."