How to Cut Door Arches

Use a utility knife to cut through the drywall along the inside edges of the entryway for your door. Continue cutting through the drywall until you have exposed the framing along the top and sides of the entryway. Discard the drywall.

Measure the top of the entryway. Cut one two-by-four board to size. Use a hammer and nails to attach the board to the top of the entryway.

Measure the sides of the entryway. Cut a set of two-by-four boards to size and nail the boards to the studs positioned on either side of the entryway to attach them. Nail the two boards to the top board previously attached to the top of the entryway. The three boards should form the shape of an upside-down U.

Measure and cut a pair of ½-inch plywood boards. The top edge of the boards, which will form the face of your archway, should equal the width of the entryway opening. The side edges of the boards should equal the length of the previously attached U-shaped frame.

Cut the pair of 1/2-inch plywood boards to your desired height for your arch. Use drywall screws to secure a sheet of plywood on either side of your U-shaped frame. Position the arch along the the entryway and drill it into place with drywall screws.

Measure the space between your plywood boards. Cut one-by-two inch boards to fit the gaps and secure the one-by-two inch pieces with a drill and drywall screws.

Measure the width and radius of your arch. Copy those measurements on a piece of 1/4-inch drywall and cut the drywall with a utility knife. Soak the drywall piece in water for five minutes. Secure it to the previously attached one-by-two inch pieces with a drill and drywall screws. Drill in the screws so that the screw heads rest below the drywall’s surface.