How to Arch a Doorway

Arching a doorway may seem like grueling, expensive work but is actually quite simple and can be achieved within a reasonable budget. Having adorned luxurious buildings, arches are increasingly being used in homes to add splendor to an otherwise boring doorway. Building your own arch not only improves your repertoire in carpentry, but can impart a warm, welcome feeling to your home.

Utility knife
Cardboard
Tape
1/2-inch plywood
2-by-3-inch lumber
2-inch nails
Wooden blocks
2-inch screws
Hardboard
Drywall
Keyhole saw
Corner beads
Stapler
Joint compound
Sandpaper
Paint

Instructions

- 1
  Cut the drywall around your doorway with a utility knife until the framing is exposed.
- 2
  Draw the arch of your choice on a piece of cardboard and tape it to the top of the framing to ensure that there is enough headroom underneath.
- 3
  Position this template on two pieces of 1/2-inch plywood and cut them out.
- 4
  Cut the 2-by-3-inch lumber into three pieces. Nail two to the sides of the frame and one to the top.
- 5
  Place the plywood arches on either side of the lumber pieces and nail them into place using 2-inch nails, making sure the arches are flush.
- 6
  Screw the wooden blocks between the plywood using 2-inch screws, running along the circumference of the arch, spaced six inches apart.
- 7
  Nail the hardboard onto the wooden blocks using 2-inch nails.
- 8
  Cover the plywood with drywall, cutting off any excess with a keyhole saw.
- 9
  Cut a piece of drywall that is as thick as the wall and soak it in water until it can bend.
- 10
  Position the drywall underneath the hardboard and fix it into place using drywall screws, spaced five inches apart.
- 11
  Apply plastic corner beads to the edges of the arch and staple them into place.
- 12
  Mix joint compound and apply over the entire doorway, covering the arch completely.
- 13
  Sand the arch and paint it when dry.

How to Make an Arch in a House

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