GB2385069A

GB2385069A - Installing architectural finishing components

Info

Publication number: GB2385069A
Application number: GB0203179A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Douglas Law
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-02-11
Filing date: 2002-02-11
Publication date: 2003-08-13
Also published as: GB0224895D0; EP1818494A2; GB2385083A; EP1818494A3; GB2385085A; GB2385103B; GB0221816D0; GB0203179D0; GB2385085B; GB2385103A; GB0221814D0

Abstract

A method of building, and components therefor, comprising supplying a location component comprising a length of rigid material having formations therein, the formations comprising mounting points 28, 29 for attachment of a standard architectural building component (22, 32). The formations also provide a locating reference for general-purpose building or finishing materials used in the construction or finishing of a structural element of the building, such that subsequent attachment of the architectural finishing component to the locating component at the said predetermined position determines its position relative to the structure or fabric of the said structural element of the building. The locating components permit architectural finishing components such as doors and skirting boards to be installed by unskilled labourers, without adjustment. The architectural finishing component (22, 32) can be attached to the locating component using a double-ended pin (38; 138).

Description

Installing Architectural Finishing Components in a Building The present invention relates to a method of installing architectural finishing components in a building, in particular components such as doors, trims, skirting boards and architrave.

The present invention also provides a locating component for use in such a method of building, a double-ended fastener for joining together such components and a kit of components for use in such a method.

There is a constant drive in house building to reduce costs. A large part of the cost of building a house is labour. Further, the more skilled the labourer, the more expensive his or her time on site will be. Therefore, any way of reducing the time that is spent onsite by skilled labourers or craftsmen is of interest to a site or project manager.

Systemising house construction so that standard building components, i. e. components of a standardised size (for example length, width, height and/or thickness), can be factory built, delivered to the site and quickly installed by labourers with relatively low skills, can make big savings to the overall cost of building, modifying, converting or decorating a house or building. Traditional methods of building, however, do not lend themselves to using such systems because tolerances cannot be kept close enough for the doors, etc. , to be fitted as received. Therefore, even doors and architrave etc. of a standard size need to be adjusted or cut in order to be fitted in a building using traditional building methods.

Traditional building methods involve three essential steps. The first two are performed by relatively unskilled labourers. The first step is the construction of a structural skeleton for the building, formed of various structural elements such as walls, floors and ceilings.

These structural elements are constructed of general-purpose building materials such as bricks or concrete blocks in the case of walls or concrete that is cast in situ in the case of floors. These building materials are general-purpose in the sense that they are not designed for the construction of buildings of set dimensions ; they can be and are used to construct buildings to any design. The second step is the application of general-purpose finishing materials to the structural elements, for example to finish off the walls, the floors or the ceilings. Such general-purpose building or finishing materials include plaster (for the walls and ceilings) and flooring materials such as floor screed, floorboards or tiles,

although these latter could also be regarded as structural building materials, since they are designed to be load-bearing in use. Finally, there is the third step: onto these"finished" walls, floors or ceilings, standard building components are installed to give the room a "designed"look. This currently has to be done by skilled craftsmen such as joiners or carpenters.

These standard building components include architectural finishing components such as architectural mouldings. Architectural finishing components are those items of a building that are position-critical, i. e. need to be installed in a building in exactly the correct position, or to within very small tolerances, in order to achieve their function or to look right. Such items include, but are not limited to, doors, trims, skirting boards, architrave, and cornices. Masonry items, such as stone fireplaces, can also be architectural finishing components for use with the present invention.

A typical example of an architectural finishing component is a door and its surround. A door must be upright and positioned correctly within a doorframe, otherwise it will not open and close properly. Another example is a skirting board. A skirting board must be correctly positioned relative to the wall and the floor so that there is no visible crack between the skirting board and the wall. Furthermore, with architectural finishing components such as skirting boards, owing to their proximity to the floor, if fitted askew, the fact that they are not level would be plain to see.

Unfortunately, however, as suggested above, it is often the case that such architectural finishing components need to be cut or resized in order to fit correctly to the walls, floors or ceilings when constructed using traditional building methods. Therefore, specialised building techniques involving skilled craftsmen such as joiners or carpenters will be required.

It would therefore be desirable to provide a means for assisting in the correct installation of standard building components, such as prefabricated architectural finishing components, so that they can be fitted as received on site by unskilled labourers where the principal methods of the construction employed are traditional.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of installing an architectural finishing component in a building comprising: a) installing a locating component that is adapted to receive the architectural finishing component for attachment at a predetermined relative position; b) constructing or finishing a structural element of the building using the locating component as a locating reference for generalpurpose building or finishing materials; and then c) attaching the architectural finishing component to the locating component at the said predetermined relative position.

The method may comprise: i) installing the locating component; ii) constructing the structural element of the building using the locating component as a locating reference for general-purpose building materials; and then iii) attaching the architectural finishing component to the locating component at the said predetermined relative position.

Alternatively, the method may comprise: i) constructing the structural element of the building; ii) installing the locating component on or in the structural element; iii) finishing the structural element using the locating component as a locating reference for the finishing materials; and then iv) attaching the architectural finishing component to the locating component at the said predetermined relative position.

Such methods of building allow architectural finishing components to be fitted in or on a wall, a floor or a ceiling without adjustment of the architectural finishing components, the locating components or the building or finishing materials.

The architectural finishing components will usually be joinery building components or masonry building components.

Building up the wall, floor and/or ceiling adjacent to or around the locating components in the finished building, secures them into or onto the wall, the floor or the ceiling.

Preferably the locating component defines a door sub-frame. The architectural finishing component may then comprise three standard door liners and the method may comprise attaching them to three inwardly facing surfaces of the door sub-frame to form a doorframe. It is then possible to hang a standard door to one of the standard door liners.

Standard architrave may be fitted to sides of the door sub-frame.

The locating component may alternatively define a skirting board sub-frame. The architectural finishing component then comprises a standard skirting board, and the method comprises the step of attaching the standard skirting board to the skirting board sub-frame.

Preferably, a cable channel extends along the length of the locating component or the architectural finishing component between the locating component and the architectural finishing component.

Preferably, the architectural finishing component is attached to the locating component using a press-fit connection, e. g. using double-ended pins. Although the press-fit connection is preferably achieved using separate components such as double-ended pins that are installed into holes or slots in the building components, other forms of press-fit engagement may be used.

According to the second aspect of the present invention there is provided a double-ended fastener comprising first and second ends extending from a medial flange.

Preferably the flange is in the form of a cup that may contain an adhesive.

The cup preferably comprises a planar rim for sealing against a flat surface. This enables the fastener, when the cup is filled with adhesive, to provide a self-adjusting joint between the fastener and a flat planar surface; evaporation of the adhesive within the cup causes a suction to be generated within the cup since it is sealed against the flat planar surface. The suction will cause the cup to be pulled towards the flat planar surface. If the cup has a flexible or collapsible sidewall, the cup base will be drawn towards the flat planar surface.

A building component provided on the fastener extending away from the cup will therefore be pulled towards the flat planar surface. This feature can be used to draw a standard building component, such as an architectural finishing component, into which the end of the pin facing away from the cup bottom is pushed, to be drawn against the flat planar surface over time, i. e. as the solvent of the adhesive evaporates. The flat planar surface can be a portion of a locating component fitted to a wall, a floor or a ceiling.

It should be noted that the cup can be arranged to face the standard building component, if necessary, especially if this will provide a better seal.

The cup may not be essential for achieving the suction effect. Evaporation of glue on the flange may have a sufficient drawing-in effect.

Preferably the double-ended fastener is made of metal for strength, or a plastics material for frangibility, i. e. for allowing removal of an architectural finishing component from a locating component without causing damage to either the architectural finishing component or the locating component ; the plastic double-ended fastener will snap.

Preferably the double-ended fastener extends from a hole in a first building component and is engageable in slots in a second building component. Slots advantageously provide a slight adjustability for the first building component relative to the second building component to allow for, for example, movement or settlement of a floor or wall.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a locating component for locating an architectural finishing component in a building, the locating component being a) adapted to receive the architectural finishing component for attachment at a predetermined relative position, and b) so shaped as to provide a locating reference for general-purpose building or finishing materials used in the construction or finishing of a structural element of the building, such that subsequent attachment of the architectural finishing component at the said predetermined position determines its position relative to the structure or fabric of the said structural element of the building.

Preferably, the locating component is adapted to form an integral part of the structure or fabric of the structural element of the building.

Preferably the locating component has a substantially constant cross section along its whole length.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of building components comprising: 1) an architectural finishing component and 2) a locating component for locating the architectural finishing component in a building, the locating component being a) adapted to receive the architectural finishing component for attachment at a predetermined relative position, and b) so shaped as to provide a locating reference for general-purpose building or finishing materials used in the construction or finishing of a structural element of the building, such that subsequent attachment of the

architectural finishing component to the locating component at the said predetermined position determines its position relative to the structure or fabric of the said structural element of the building.

Preferably, the architectural finishing component is a joinery item such as a door, a door liner, a window, a window liner, a trim, a skirting board, a cornice, a dado rail or an architrave. Preferably, the architectural finishing component is made of wood, medium density fibreboard (MDF), glass reinforced plastic or a ceramic material, e. g. a plaster based material or a mortar based material, or another commonly used building material so that the appearance of the component is conventional in the finished building.

Preferably the architectural finishing component has a surface finish, thereby requiring no decoration upon installation.

The present invention enables the fitment of standard building components, such as a standardised door, i. e. a door of a standard height and width, or a standardised skirting board, i. e. a skirting board of a standard length and height.

A skilled person will appreciate that certain standard components for fitting to the surface of walls, for example skirting boards, may require mitre cuts on one or both ends thereof, e. g. for providing neat comers wherever they meet. Butt joints may alternatively be used, if preferred.

The locating component of the present invention can be fitted using or in conjunction with traditional construction methods, e. g. using nails. Use of these locating components allows a large part of the architectural finishing components to be prepared off site. They can therefore match one another. They can also be supplied as a set, complete with matching handles, locks and hinges. They can also be installed or fitted right at the end of the building process. This will not only save construction time by skilled labourers and reduce the risk of damage to the architectural finishing components but will also allow, for example, painters to spray finish walls and ceilings. Spray finishing walls is faster than painting with a brush or a roller and usually gives a better finish.

Further, sophisticated finishes, such as exotic wood grain effects, can also be provided to the architectural finishing components without the risk of damage being caused to them due to the need to adjust them in order to make them fit.

A further advantage of the present invention is that a house purchaser can easily change the architectural finishing components to match his or her tastes or as and when the architectural finishing components become shabby. To remove the architectural finishing components, the pins can be pulled out of the slots, or they can be snapped off. If snapped off, the ends left in the slots will easily push into the space behind the locating component, to fall away from the slots under gravity.

Two preferred applications of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a front plan view of a locating component in the form of a skeletal building component in accordance with the present invention for use as part of a door sub-frame; Figure 2 is a section II-II through the skeletal building component of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 shows an assembled door sub-frame; Figure 4 shows a section through the skeletal building component of Figure 1 fitted to a blockwall; Figure 5 shows the skeletal building component of Figure 4 having a door liner and architrave fitted thereto; Figure 6 is a partial section of the architrave of Figure 5 fixed to the skeletal building component; Figure 7 shows details of a double-ended pin for use in the present invention;

Figure 8 is a section through an alternative application of the present invention: a skirting board sub-frame ; Figure 9 shows a partial section of architrave fitted to the skeletal building component of Figure 1 with a double-ended pin of the present invention; and Figure 10 shows a third angle projection of a double-ended pin of the present invention.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the locating component (a skeletal building component) is a metal section 10 that is built into the fabric of the building at an early stage of construction.

The term"skeletal"is used to imply that an outer skin, such as architectural finishing components can be supported by it. Thus, it forms a framework for the assembly.

The metal section 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is for making a door sub-frame 100-see Figure 3. Referring to Figure 3, the door sub-frame 100 is formed from two upright sections 12, and two horizontal sections 14, 16. These sections are of a predetermined size so that they fit together to form a fixed size, rectangular frame, the door sub-frame 100.

The first horizontal section 14 may be designed to be capable of supporting a load as a lintel. Alternatively, a load-bearing lintel may need to be fitted for the doorway. The second horizontal section 16 is a floor section and may be a floorplate or it may be adapted to receive a floorplate thereon.

To fit the door sub-frame, standard building techniques are used, all steps of which can be done by unskilled labourers. First of all the door sub-frame 100 is braced in an upright position on a floor. Then a blockwall structural element is built-up around the sub-frame 100 to form a wall. Alternatively the wall may be a stud wall or a partition wall, being structural in the sense that it defines the shape of the room. Finally, general-purpose finishing materials are applied to the wall up to the sub-frame 100 to finish the walls. If deemed necessary, nails 25 (see Figure 6) can be used to fix the sub-frame 100 to the wall more securely. Once fitted, the door sub-frame gives a precisely sized and shaped opening to accept a factory built door set comprising a door and door liners. These components simply press fit to the sub-frame, thereby being installable by unskilled labourers.

The metal section 10 of Figures 1 and 2 comprises a length of galvanised steel, preferably formed from a flat sheet of steel folded into the generally c-shaped section shown in Figure 2. The steel is galvanised for longevity, i. e. to prevent corrosion. The metal section 10 of Figure 1 has a number of slots 20,24 provided along its length. Two end sets of slots 20, 24 are shown in Figure 1. More slots are provided, equally spaced along the length of the metal section 10. Each slot is approximately 3mm wide and 12mm long. The slots at the ends of metal section 10 are provided with their centres about 25mm from the ends of the metal section 10. In total, 14 slots are provided along the length of the metal section 10.

The length of the metal section 10, and the numbers of slots provided therealong, will, however, depend upon the application to which the metal section 10 is to be used. For the door sub-frame of Figure 3, the lengths may be about 2m for the uprights 12, and 1m for the horizontals 14,16. The thickness of the metal section 10 is approximately Imm.

The metal section 10 is provided with three inward channels 18. The channels 18 are for receiving cables that may run along the length of the metal section 10 in the finished building. Each channel 18 has an approximate depth of 8mm. One channel 18 is provided in each side 28 of the c-shape and one channel 18 is provided at the middle of the back 29 of the c-shape. The channels 18 are not only for receiving cables, but also, once installed in a wall, provide spacing means to provide gaps 19 behind the metal sections 100, between the metal section 10 and the wall.

The slots 20,24 include a first set of slots 24 provided at intervals along the length of the section 10 at the midpoints of the channels 18. This first set of slots 24 is for allowing the metal section 10 to be fitted to a blockwall 27 in a traditional way, i. e. using cut nails 25.

The slots may instead be holes. Glue may alternatively be used to fix the metal section 10 to the wall. A further alternative would be to use a tie to fix the metal section 10 to the wall, such as a butterfly tie similar to those used to tie an inner leave to an outer leave of a brickwork wall. Attachment means for the ties may be stamped into the section 10, for ecample. However, it is preferable for the door sub-frame 100 to be secured to the wall using cut nails 25 since this method has proved effective in prior art doorframes.

A second set of slots 20 are also provided intermittently along the length of the metal section 10. The two sets of slots 20,24 are located co-intermittently along the metal

section 10. The second set of slots 20, however, are mounting points for attaching standard building components, i. e. the architectural finishing components (a door liner 22 and architrave 32), to the metal section 10 using pins 38, as shown in Figures 5,6 and 9. The pins 38 extend through the slots 20 in the metal section 10 into the gaps 19 behind the metal section 10. If the pins 38 are ever snapped off, the ends of the pins 38 can fall down the gaps 19 under gravity so that they do not obscure the slots 20 in the event that replacement pins 38 are to be used in their place.

Referring to Figure 6, the two sides 18 of the metal section 10 are arranged to be parallel to each other for providing a finished wall having parallel sides.

The metal section 10 has edges 26. These edges 26 are co-planar with sides 28 of the metal section 10. These edges 26 provide a means for ensuring the skeletal building component can be built into the wall correctly, i. e. with plaster 30 applied to the walls to a level that is level with the edge 26. By doing this, a wall surface defined by the plaster 30, the edge 26, and the sidewalls 28 of the section 10 is flat. By making the wall surface flat, architrave 32 can be attached to the metal section 10 such that the back 34 of the architrave 32 lies against the plaster 30. Onto the back 29 of the metal section 10, a door liner 22 is attached. The door liner 22 has a width such that the architrave 32 has its back 34 resting also against edges 36 of the door liner 22, as shown in Figure 6.

The metal sheet 10 could alternatively be made of a rigid plastics material.

A double-ended pin 38 is used to join the door liner 22 and the architrave 32 to the metal section 10. One end of the pin 38 is driven or pushed into a pre-drilled or moulded hole (not shown) in the standard building component 22,32. The other end locates into one of the slots 20 in the metal section 10. This ensures accurate assembly of standard building component 22,32 to the skeletal building component, even when fitted by an unskilled labourer.

The double-ended pin 38 is shown in detail in Figure 7. The pin 38 comprises a first end 40, a second end 42 and a flange 44. Both ends 40,42 are cylindrical fingers having points thereon for assisting in the insertion of the pin 38 into holes or slots in the building components. The two ends 40,42 have different thicknesses to ensure that the pin is used in the correct orientation. The flange 44 is provided to ensure that the pin locates to a

correct depth in both the slot 24 in the metal section 10 and the hole in the architectural finishing component. The flange 44 could, however, be omitted.

Referring now to Figures 9 and 10, an alternative double-ended pin 138 is shown. The pin 138 comprises a first end 140, a second end 142 and a flange 144. The flange 144 is in the form of a cup 146 having an adhesive mixture 148 provided therein. The mixture 148 is preferably water or solvent based so that as the mixture dries, the volume thereof in the cup reduces. If the mouth of the cup 146 is sealed against a surface, the reduction in volume would suck the cup towards the surface. This will result in a building component attached to the other end of the pin (the architrave 32 in Figure 9) being drawn closer to the surface (the metal section 10 in Figure 9) over time. This will prevent cracks from forming between the architrave 32 and the plaster 30, or prevent the architrave 32 from loosening from the metal section 10.

Preferably the pin 38 is made of a plastics material or metal. Plastics materials have the advantage of being easier to sheer away from the metal section 10 by levering the architectural finishing component 22,32 away from the metal section 10. This can therefore be done without damaging the metal section 10 or the architectural finishing component, thereby allowing the metal section 10 to be used for repetitive redecoration without the need for replacement or repair of the metal section 10. The architectural finishing component can also be reused if undamaged.

As can be seen from Figure 10, the flange 144 comprises a base section 150 and an outer wall 152 defining a perimeter of an inverted cup. The shape of this cup 146 is oval to correspond with an elongated second pin 142. The outer wall is collapsible. By the provision of a flat second pin 142, a more resilient grip can be achieved in the slot 24 of the section 10 by the pin 142. It will also help form a seal with the slot. The adhesive can also help to form the seal with the slot. A round first pin 140, however, is provided.

Referring now to Figure 8, a second embodiment of locating component in accordance with the present invention is shown for use in a second application. In this second embodiment, a metal section 200 is for use in mounting skirting boards 202 to a wall. The metal section 200 is therefore a skirting board sub-frame and it has a sectional shape essentially of a"one-and-a-bit square wave". It has a first planar side defined by two

planar portions 204 suitable for resting against a blockwall 216 and a second planar surface defined by a third planar wall 206 against which the skirting board 202 can be attached.

The metal section 200 further comprises a fourth planar wall 212 that is coplanar with the third planar wall 206. The lip 210 of this fourth wall 212 defines a height to which a floor screed 218 is applied so that the floor will end up flush with this lip 210. The planar walls 204,206, 212 extend perpendicular to the floor screed 218.

To fit this skirting board sub-frame, the metal section 200 is first of all fixed to a pre-built blockwall 216 using, for example, nails or glue. It is fixed either on or just above the floor.

Then the wall 216 is plastered and painted down to the top of the third planar wall 206 and floor screed 218 is applied to the floor up to the lip 210 to provide a finished wall and a finished floor. A standardised skirting board 202 can then be attached to the metal section 200 with double-ended pins by an unskilled labourer. It will automatically be at the correct height relative to the floor, and level relative to the floor.

The metal section 200 may be wide enough to rest directly on concrete floor slabs underneath the floor screed if required. Alternatively it may be positioned higher on the wall using a level.

The wave shape of the metal section 200 defines a channel 222 for running cables (not shown) along the length of the metal section 200 between the metal section 200 and the skirting board 202. The skirting board 202 is provided with a recess 214 to increase the size of the channel 222. The wave shape also provides a gap 224, similar to that described above in relation to the door sub-frame 100, between the wall 216 and the metal section 200. The shape of the metal section 200 also allows plaster to be applied to the blockwall 216 with a flush finish against, or up to, the third planar wall 206. This allows the skirting board 202 to be attached to the metal section 200 such that its back wall 208 is flush with the plaster 30. This means that there will be no visible crack.

A paired set of slots 20 are provided in the first two planar portions 204 for fixing the metal section 200 against the blockwall with nails (not shown). A third set of slots 24 is provided in the third planar wall 206 to allow the skirting board 202 to be fixed to the metal section 200 with double-ended pins, as previously described in relation to the first

embodiment. The slots 20,24 are intermittently spaced along the length of the metal section 200.

If installed using laser levelling techniques (which are standard practice when installing suspended ceilings and which could equally be used to get the skeletal building component level) a very accurate guide for the floor screed 218 is provided by the skirting board subframe, thereby ensuring that the floor is at the correct height for the door sets, and to ensure that the floor, skirting boards and other items are flat and level.

Of course other embodiments will be readily apparent to a skilled person, for example for affixing dado rails or picture rails to walls.

The present invention has been described above purely by way of example. Modifications in detail may be made to the present invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A method of installing an architectural finishing component in a building comprising: a) installing a locating component that is adapted to receive the architectural finishing component for attachment at a predetermined relative position; b) constructing or finishing a structural element of the building using the locating component as a locating reference for general-purpose building or finishing materials; and then c) attaching the architectural finishing component to the locating component at the said predetermined relative position.
2. A method according to claim 1 comprising: i) installing the locating component; ii) constructing the structural element of the building using the locating component as a locating reference for general-purpose building materials; and then iii) attaching the architectural finishing component to the locating component at the said predetermined relative position.
3. A method according to claim I comprising: i) constructing the structural element of the building; ii) installing the locating component on or in the structural element; iii) finishing the structural element using the locating component as a locating reference for the finishing materials; and then iv) attaching the architectural finishing component to the locating component at the said predetermined relative position.
4. The method of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the structural element is a wall, a floor or a ceiling.
5. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locating component defines a door sub-frame.
6. The method of claim 5, comprising the step of constructing a wall of the building using the locating component to locate the materials from which the wall is built.
7. The method of claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the architectural finishing component comprises three standard door liners, and wherein the method comprises the step of attaching the standard door liners to three inwardly facing surfaces of the door sub-frame to form a doorframe.

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8. The method of any one of claims 5-7, comprising the step of fitting standard architrave to sides of the door sub-frame.
9. The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the locating component defines a skirting board sub-frame.
10. The method of claim 9, comprising the step of constructing or finishing a floor of the building using the locating component to locate the flooring materials.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the architectural finishing component comprises a standard skirting board, and wherein the method comprises the step of attaching the standard skirting board to the skirting board sub-frame.
12. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a cable channel extends along the length of the locating component for running cables between the locating component and the architectural finishing component.
13. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the architectural finishing component is attached to the locating component using a press-fit connection.
14. The method of claim 15, wherein the press-fit connection is achieved using doubleended pins.
15. A double-ended fastener comprising first and second ends extending from a medial flange.
16. The double-ended fastener of claim 15, wherein the flange is in the form of a cup.
17. The double-ended fastener of claim 16, wherein the cup comprises a planar rim.
18. The double-ended fastener of claim 16 or 17, wherein the cup has a flexible or collapsible sidewall.
19. The double-ended fastener of any one of claims 15 to 18, further comprising an adhesive on the medial flange.
20. The double-ended fastener of any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the cup is filled with adhesive.

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21. The double-ended fastener of any one of claims 15 to 20, comprising a round first end for attachment to a architectural finishing component and a flat second end for gripping in a slot of a locating component.
22. An elongate locating component for locating an architectural finishing component in a building, the locating component being a) adapted to receive the architectural finishing component for attachment at a predetermined relative position, and b) so shaped as to provide a locating reference for general-purpose building or finishing materials used in the construction or finishing of a structural element of the building, such that subsequent attachment of the architectural finishing component to the locating component at the said predetermined position determines its position relative to the structure or fabric of the said structural element of the building.
23. The locating component of claim 22, wherein the locating component is adapted to form an integral part of the structure or fabric of the structural element of the building.
24. The locating component of claim 22 or 23, comprising mounting points for attachment of the architectural finishing component at the said predetermined relative position.
25. The locating component of any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the locating reference comprises guide surfaces, flanges, straight edges or lips.
26. The locating component of any one of claims 22 to 25, in the form of a door subframe.
27. The locating component of claim 26 having four components, two components forming posts, one component forming a lintel, and one component forming a footplate.
28. The locating component of claim 26 or 27, wherein the door sub-frame has mounting points on a first side thereof for attaching standard architrave thereabout.
29. The locating component of claim 28, wherein mounting points for standard architrave are provided on a second side of the door sub-frame.
30. The locating component of claim 24,28 or 29, wherein the mounting points comprise slots.

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31. The locating component of any one of claims 22 to 25, in the form of a skirting board sub-frame.
32. The locating component of any one of claims 22 to 31 having a substantially constant cross section along its whole length.
33. The locating component of any one of claims 22 to 32, comprising a cable channel.
34. A kit of building components comprising: 1) an architectural finishing component and 2) a locating component for locating the architectural finishing component in a building, the locating component being a) adapted to receive the architectural finishing component for attachment at a predetermined relative position, and b) so shaped as to provide a locating reference for general-purpose building or finishing materials used in the construction or finishing of a structural element of the building, such that subsequent attachment of the architectural finishing component to the locating component at the said predetermined position determines its position relative to the structure or fabric of the said structural element of the building.
35. The kit of claim 34, wherein the locating component is in accordance with any one of claims 22 to 33.
36. The kit of claim 34 or 35, comprising press-fit engagement means for attaching the architectural finishing component to the locating component.
37. The kit of claim 36, comprising fasteners for installing into holes or slots in the architectural finishing component and/or the locating component.
38. The kit of claim 36 or 37, comprising double-ended fasteners according to any one of claims 15 to 21.

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39. A method of installing a door substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the Figures 1 to 7,9 or 10.
40. A method of installing a skirting board substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 7,8 or 10.

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41. A locating component substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 6, 8 or 9.
42. A double-ended pin substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 7,9 or 10.
43. A kit of building components substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.