How to Build an Interior Arch Frame

An interior arched doorway can add visual interest to your home's living space. It offers contrast to linear elements of a room, such as walls, floors and ceilings. Building an arched doorway is a more extensive process than constructing a standard rectangular doorway because you have to create forms for the arch on both sides of the wall. However, the added aesthetic appeal of an arched doorway might be worth the added work.

Measuring tape
Circular saw
4-inch wood screws
Electric screwdriver
3/8-inch thick plywood
Pencil
Jigsaw
Carpenter's level

Instructions

- 1
  Determine the width and height of your doorway. The doorway should be at least 32 inches wide and 74 inches high in a room with standard 8-foot ceilings.
- 2
  Measure a 40-inch section of the base plate of your wall and cut out the section with a circular saw. Remove the base plate and adjoining studs.
- 3
  To form the door studs, cut two sections of 2-by-4 inch lumber to a height of 2 inches less than the measurement between the floor and ceiling. Stand the studs against each side of the open floor plate. Secure the studs to the floor plate and the ceiling plate with 4-inch wood screws.
- 4
  Draw the curve of the arch on two sections of three-quarter inch plywood with a pencil. Cut the plywood sections along the curve with a jigsaw, and cut the sides and top of the plywood sections to fit the door studs and ceiling plate.
- 5
  Attach the plywood arch forms to the inside and outside of the wall with 4-inch wood screws, ensuring that the tops of the plywood sections meet the top plate of the wall. Check the arch sections with a carpenter's level to ensure they are even with the wall on both sides.

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