How to Frame an Arched Dining Room Entryway

Measure the width of the entranceway and cut two pieces of 1/2-inch-thick plywood so they are the same width.

Draw your arch onto one piece of plywood to create a template. Include the arch, flat top and sides in the template.

Hold the template on the drywall on the existing drywall and draw the arch on using a pencil. Repeat on the other side.

Cut the arch into the existing drywall header, as long as a building inspector or engineer has said it's OK, using a reciprocal saw. Stand on a solid ladder and have someone assist you during this part. In many cases you'll have to bolster the header or wall to ensure it will bear the existing load when you compromise the header.

Remove the drywall so that you can see the bare wood frame underneath.
Cut through the header wood frame with the saw, following the arch’s shape.

Lay the first plywood template on a second piece of plywood. Cut out a second arch so that it matches the original one.

Attach the 2-by-4s to the ceiling joists at 16-inch intervals using a nail gun.

Nail the two templates onto the 2-by-4 blocks using a nail gun. This makes the arch’s width 9 inches across. Add more 2-by-4s to the center of the arch to stabilize it.

Cut lauan plywood to fit over each of the open spaces along the bottom of the arch. Nail the wood into position. Lauan our luan plywood is plywood with a mahogany veneer.

Fill all nail holes with wood putty. Allow the putty to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Sand the putty smooth with 100-grit sandpaper and wipe with a tack cloth.

Apply wood primer to the plywood and allow it to cure at least four hours or according to package instructions. Paint the arch to match the surrounding walls.