How to Build an Archway From Plywood

Place the four pieces of 3-by-2-foot plywood on a flat surface. Sketch a curve on the plywood with a pencil, creating the curved top of your archway. The curve should resemble a rainbow and consist of two curves: one closer to the top and one closer to the bottom. The curve should be approximately two-inches wide.

Cut the curved shapes from the plywood with a jigsaw. Lay one piece flat, cover with a thin layer of wood glue and set a second piece on top. Repeat this step with the other two plywood pieces, creating two arches. Clamp each set of wood and let dry for several hours or overnight.

Create one side of the arch with two of the 48-inch long plywood planks. Place the two planks 24 inches away from each other. Lay six smaller pieces on top of the two longer boards. Attach a two-inch wood screw to the end of each smaller board, attach it to the longer boards. Repeat this step with the remaining boards, creating the second side of the archway.

Turn the arch pieces upside down and drill a 1/2-inch hole on the bottom corner of each piece. Apply wood glue to the inside of each hole and gently tap a wood dowel into the hole. Repeat on the second arched piece.

Drill a hole into the corner of each side piece and place a drop of glue inside. Turn the side pieces upside down and line up the dowels on the arches with the holes. Push down until the pieces fit together snugly and clamp overnight. Repeat for the second side of the arch.

Attach the six remaining 24-by-1-by-1 plywood planks to the sides of the curved arches. Evenly space the pieces around the sides and top of the arch, screwing wood screws through the planks and into both sides of the arch. The planks support the weight of the arch and keep it from wobbling or shaking.