Making an Archway in a Wall

Determine the width and height of the archway. It needs to be at least 36 inches wide, with the top of the arch at least 84 inches from the floor. Check the position of the archway to ensure that there are no electrical outlets or light switches to move.

Mark the width of the archway on the wall at the ceiling and floor. Snap a chalk line between the measurements to create width lines. Check each line with a stud finder to ensure that there is not a stud behind the line. Use the stud finder to locate the positions of other framing members, such the header and base plate. Cut the drywall along the lines with a reciprocating saw, avoiding areas where framing members are located behind the drywall.

Break through the drywall with a sledgehammer between the cut lines. Use the claw end of a hammer to pull the drywall from the studs.

Mark the width of the archway on a section of cardboard, then mark the height of the arch halfway between the center marks. Tie a string around a pencil, then measure a length of string equal to the radius of the arch. Hold the end of the string at the canter mark and use the string as a compass to draw a half-circle on the cardboard. Cut along the half-circle with a utility knife.

Place the outline at the top of the wall opening and mark the outline of the arch on the wall studs. Cut sections of 2-by-4-inch lumber equal to the interior distance between the studs, and install the sections between the studs above the arch marks with 4-inch wood screws driven at 45-degree angles, using a drill equipped with a screwdriver bit -- this helps protect the stability of the studs. Cut the studs along the marks with a reciprocating saw.

Cut through the base plate, which is the lumber section that runs beneath the studs along the subfloor, on each side of the opening with a reciprocating saw. Remove the base plate and exposed studs with a pry bar.

Measure the interior distance between the base plate and the top plate of the wall frame. Cut two sections of 2-by-4-inch lumber to this measurement with a circular saw to form the side studs. Stand one stud between the drywall sections on each side of the opening so that the studs are flush with the drywall.

Check the side studs with a carpenter's level to ensure that they are vertical. Using a drill fitted with a screwdriver bit, drive 4-inch wood screws through the side studs into the top and bottom plates at 45-degree angles.

Cut sections of 1/4-inch-thick plywood that is designed to bend into 4-inch-wide strips with a table saw. You need enough strips to cover the interior of the archway. Bend one strip along the cut studs along the top of the archway and attach the strip to the studs with 4-inch wood screws. Cut and attach additional strips as needed to cover the sides of the doorway.

Cut sections of drywall to fit the exposed stud sections and the inside of the archway with a drywall saw. Attach the sections to the studs with 2-inch drywall screws. Before attaching drywall to the inside of the arch curve, mist the drywall with water, using a spray bottle, and let the water soak in for 10 minutes -- this helps the drywall bend without breaking.

Cover the drywall screw heads with compound, using a putty knife. Tape the seams and edges with drywall tape and cover the tape edges with compound. Allow the compound to dry for 24 hours and smooth the drywall with a palm sander.