How to Build an Arch Doorway

Introduction:

Arched doorways look great in any contemporary home. Arching a doorway combines an elegant and traditional design effect, giving your home a time honored statement of style and decorative beauty. Most older homes had arched doorways that follower a European design. Building an arch doorway is not a difficult task. Listed below is the technique on how to build an arch doorway.

Getting ready:

First determine the overall desired visual effect you are looking for. If your home has more than one visible doorway you should consider the effect if only one is arched. For a more uniformed pattern make all doorways into arches. Decide the type of arch you want to construct.2

Gather all the necessary materials you'll need. A hammer, square, measuring tape and a reciprocal saw will be required.   

Make a list of the material you'll need. Consult with an interior design specialist at a home improvement center for assistance. They can help you with all the information on how to arch a doorway.

You can make an arch doorway from scratch or installing a pre-built arched doorway kit. Purchasing a kit can make the project much easier but can be more expensive. Most pre-built arched doorway kits are made of wood, or a wood composite material.  

How to build an arch doorway:

1. Clear the surrounding area of any furniture, wall decor, or carpets. Lay plastic sheeting down to prevent debris and paint from getting on the floor. To avoid dust from getting over everything cover any vents and furnishings before beginning the work.

2. Build the arch framing. The easiest method of building the arch frame is to use two triangular blocks that are squared at the top and sides and curved on the underside for the span of the arch. These can be cut from plywood or stiff cardboard and tacked in place on the wall.

3. Cut the curve in the existing drywall and wall studs following the guide lines of the blocks attached to the wall.

4. Attached a piece of dry wall to the curved opening using drywall screws and drywall edging.

5. Apply a coat of spackle to the drywall and edging and screw heads and let dry.

6. Apply a finish coat o spackle. Sand the drywall and apply two coats of paint.

Now that the arched is build you have the option of trimming it out or leaving it with in drywall finish. Trim kits are available at most home improvement supply centers. 

That is all there is too it.

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