When starting an apartment or house renovation, people strive to make their home as comfortable, stylish and elegant as possible. One of the most popular design ideas is the design doorway in the form of a semicircular arch. Having studied the technology, it is quite possible to make an arch from gypsum plasterboard with your own hands.
Using an arched structure, you can influence the design of the entire environment and set the tone for the arrangement of the entire interior.
Arched structures are used not only for decoration doorways, but also for zonal division of the corridor. In this article you will learn how to make an arch from gypsum plasterboard with your own hands.
Necessary tools and material
The tools you will need are a screwdriver, a tape measure, a construction square, a pencil, a spatula, a grater, a container, a knife, a sponge, a drill, a jigsaw, and metal scissors.
Draw the outline of the arch on the drywall. To draw the top of the arched structure, use homemade compass from a self-tapping screw screwed into drywall and a thread and a pencil tied to it
The longer the thread is, the larger the arc radius will be. Here you have the opportunity to experiment until you get the arch shape you want.
The blade of the tool must cut through the material strictly according to the markings - the quality of the arch directly depends on this. Next, start creating the arched frame. It can be metal or wood. Both options have their advantages: aluminum profile characterized by evenness and lightness, and wood is distinguished by great strength.
If you have a concrete wall, then you first need to make holes using a drill, insert dowels into them and only then screw in the screws.
Then, after attaching all the profiles to the wall, begin installing the gypsum board. The sheets are installed using a screwdriver. The size of the screws depends on the thickness of the drywall.
Secure the curved aluminum profile along the edge of the gypsum board. This will increase the rigidity of the structure. First, attach both ends of the curved guide to metal frame, and then screw plasterboard sheets to it. You need to screw in the screws in increments of 0.1-0.15 m.
Mount perpendicular pieces of profile to connect the side walls of the arched structure to each other.
Secure the lower arc-shaped arch section. Using a tape measure, measure the length and width of the arc. Cut out the appropriate piece from the gypsum board. Attach it to the bottom of the arch, carefully bending it to give the desired shape.
The edges of the plasterboard rectangle should be flush with the walls of the arch. Secure the section with self-tapping screws on both sides of the arc. Start from the center of the arch.
Inspect the resulting structure and eliminate minor defects. Proceed with finishing. Cover the edges of the gypsum board with fiberglass mesh or paper tape.
Apply putty (at least 3 layers). Sand thoroughly with a float. The arch is ready. All that remains is to paint it.
Types of arches
Exist different types plasterboard arches. They usually differ in the configuration of the top, and in some cases, in the method of connection to the vertical segments.
The photo of plasterboard arches shows that they are usually divided into six types:
- Classic.
- Modern.
- Romance.
- Ellipse.
- Trapezoid.
- Portal.
The semi-arch is also distinguished separately.
Making and installing an arched structure yourself is not that difficult. You just need to study the technology and choose the appropriate design for a plasterboard arch. We wish you success.
Photo of a plasterboard arch
The doorway will look more aesthetically pleasing if you design it in the form of a semicircular arch. You can make it from plasterboard yourself, without resorting to the services of professional builders.
Arch markings
A significant disadvantage of this design is the reduction in the size of the doorway. To see whether the arch will fit well into a specific doorway, it is better to first cut a blank from paper or cardboard and secure it above the door. If the opening height is less than 2.5 m, it may be necessary to reduce the bend of the arch or make small bends only at the corners of the arch.Installation of an arch with a small bending radius
To draw the upper part of the arch on the workpiece, we will use compass. You can make it from available materials: a self-tapping screw or an awl fixed in the center of a circle, thread and a pencil. By evenly pulling the thread, we draw the required arc. The longer the thread, the flatter the arch will be.
Constructing a circle
You can also make a compass from scraps metal profile
Drywall cutting
1. First, cut through the first layer of cardboard and the gypsum core. To do this, apply a ruler to the intended line and draw along it several times. sharp knife or metal file.
Cutting through the first two layers
2. To finally break the gypsum core, place the drywall on its edge and lightly tap the cut area. If the part being cut has a small width, you can break the plaster by simply pressing on the edge of the sheet.
Cutting the second layer
4. To remove roughness along the edge of the cut, it is processed sandpaper or rasp.
Important! For perfect joining of sheets along the edges of the drywall, use a sharp knife to remove 45° chamfer.
Chamfering
Cutting blanks for the upper arch of the arch
It is most convenient to work with jigsaw or a special plane for drywall. Using them you can cut out any shapes from drywall. Moreover, with this method, gypsum practically does not generate dust, and the resulting edges require almost no additional processing.
Cutting with a jigsaw
You can trim curly edges using drywall knife saw-shaped or metal files with fine teeth. However, this will require some skill. A knife or file is drawn along the intended line so that the blade penetrates as deeply as possible into the sheet. In this case, the tool must go strictly perpendicular to the surface. Next, tap the cut area with a hammer and, if necessary, run the knife over it several more times.
Cutting with a drywall saw
Then it cuts through back side sheet, on which traces of pressure from the knife are already visible. Then the excess pieces are cut off and the edges of the sheet are trimmed with sandpaper. If the cut line is large enough, it is better to cut the sheet inside the outline into segments.
For getting holes(for example, to install lamps or sockets), you can use an electric drill with a crown-shaped attachment.
Drill bit
Cutting and bending metal guides
Aluminum guides are cut using conventional metal scissors. To attach the upper part of the arch you will need a special arched profile. You can buy it in a store or make it yourself.To bend the profile, they are made on it cuts. The distance between them depends on the bending radius - the larger it is, the more often notches should be made. For bending, it is better to choose an L-shaped profile - it will be much easier to work with it, and the cuts will have to be made only on one side.
Profile bending
Drywall bending
For arch construction you can purchase arched plasterboard. It is more plastic and, since its thickness is less than ordinary sheets, it bends easily. However, buying a whole sheet is quite expensive. Some stores sell this material not in sheets, but in pieces, which is very convenient. If it is not possible to purchase a small piece, you can also bend a regular sheet of drywall.
Thin arched drywall bends easily, but costs more
To do this, you can use two methods: wet and dry. In the first case, in order for moisture to better penetrate deep into the sheet, the plasterboard blank should be rolled before bending. needle roller.
Before bending, the workpiece is rolled with a needle roller
Next the sheet is evenly moistened with water and placed on a curved surface that follows the shape of the arch, pressing down with a weight. A device for drying the workpiece can be cut from the remains of drywall or plywood.
Wet bending
Important! With any bending method, it should be taken into account that drywall bends well only along the length of the sheet.
At dry bending cuts are made along the entire length of the fold. Moreover, the larger the bending radius, the more often such notches should be applied. This can be done quickly with a grinder, however, since this creates a lot of gypsum dust, it is better to do the work outside.
Dry bending of plasterboard
Frame installation
After dismantling the door frame, the surface is cleaned of loose plaster, dust and dirt and all irregularities are knocked down. Next, on the sides of the doorway, using self-tapping dowels in increments of 20-30 cm, they are fixed two rack metal profiles. In this case, you should retreat 11-12 mm from the edge for installing drywall and applying putty. If the opening width is large (more than 1 m), between two guides they are attached jumpers. Small sections of profiles connecting two side guides are also mounted in the lower part of the opening. They should rest against the floor.At the top of the doorway are mounted two curved profiles. If necessary, they are also interconnected by jumpers.
Fixing the top part of the profile
Fastening the profile with jumpers
Between themselves, the sections of the profile are fastened with self-tapping screws.
Fastening drywall
The very first self-tapping screws in increments of 25-35 cm blanks for the upper semicircle of the arch are attached. Their width should be equal to the width of the doorway plus 10-15 mm. You should not fasten the screws too close to the corners - you need to make an indent of 1-1.5 cm, otherwise cracks will appear at the fastening points.
Drywall installation
Fastening the corners
Important! To prevent the screws from protruding above the surface, they should be recessed into the sheet a couple of millimeters. In the future, the holes from them are covered with putty.
The finished structure is plastered with a wide spatula first starting, and then finishing putty. The solution is applied to inner side arches, and then, after it has completely dried, on side walls. At the joints of drywall, to protect the solution from cracking, it is attached with putty. painting mesh.
After the installation is completed, the arch is covered with putty
Attaching the painting mesh
To transform your interior and add some zest to it, you can make an arch from plasterboard. This design inspires respect and makes you think, because it seems that it is simply impossible to do it on your own. But all fears and worries are completely unfounded. If you wish, using the step-by-step instructions below, you can do it in an apartment or house. And also figure out which material will be preferable in each specific case.
First of all, you need to understand what such a structure is. An arch is one of the elements in architecture that is characterized by curvilinearity. The place of creation is through or blind openings and spans. For greater effect, it can be complemented with various decorative elements.
Exist different kinds arches:
- Classic – characterized by smoothness of shape. Has equilateral rounding.
- Semi-arch - has only one rounded corner. Is modern solution for newfangled trends in the interior.
- A trapezoid is a complex shape made of curved lines.
Of course, there are many more species (see photo).
It will be better if a template is made before starting work. It is very easy to make from ordinary cardboard or fiberboard. This way, you can immediately understand what the object will look like and which rounding is preferable.
Working with wood requires the most special attention. In this case, no error should be allowed. Various species are suitable for production, but pine is most often used as a fairly durable and cheap material.
Need to know! Before working with wood, you need to make sure it is well dried. Otherwise, no instructions will help, drying out and warping will begin. It will be impossible to correct the situation.
Not everyone likes pine quality finishing material, but it's easy to fix. For finishing work, you can use valuable wood species (oak, beech, mahogany) or cheaper veneer.
Manufacturing process
In general, any work with natural wood, if there is no experience, it is better to entrust specialists. When creating an interior opening in a house or apartment, you need to proceed from real possibilities.
There are several design options for this material:
- typesetting
The arched opening is made by assembling different fragments (small parts). That is, rounded elements are created by pressing, which are then joined together (gluing, twisting). This is a rather painstaking process that requires the presence of many tools. Allows you to avoid the occurrence of deformations.
Making a wooden arch - One-piece designs
They are literally made from a single piece of wood (timber). Preferably from hard rocks tree. Often, such a design plays the role of an “internal” frame, which is subjected to external processing.
Installation
To install an arched structure, you must adhere to the following rules:
- The installation site is carefully prepared, all excess is removed, and the surface is puttied.
- Prepare in advance necessary tool- in each case is individual.
- Mounting takes place in several stages:
a supporting frame is created;
elements are laid and connected;
outer cladding is done. - After that, proceed to the finish: coated with varnish or paint.
- Mistakes lead to learning empty seats- they are puttied or foamed, but this will be a clear drawback.
This option would be preferable if you want wood to be the material, but natural wood use is not possible. In addition, making a plywood arch with your own hands is quite simple.
Preparation
- A detailed sketch is created. To do this, all necessary measurements of the opening are taken. This allows you to create a visual project and immediately calculate necessary materials and accessories.
- The installation site is also prepared. Everything unnecessary is removed in advance and, if necessary, trimmed.
- Preparing the instrument:
hacksaw or jigsaw with files;
drill and screwdriver;
sandpaper and block;
finishing tool.
You need to understand that plywood is a rather unique material. With its help you can create magnificent designs; it is distinguished by its strength and increased flexibility.
The first way to use plywood
The technology is as follows:
- Measure the opening. Immediately note what size the arc should be.
- A strip is cut from a sheet of plywood, the edges are well processed.
- This fragment is slightly moistened and waited for a while.
- Now this material will take almost any shape.
- The strip is bent and immediately inserted into the desired opening - fastened, do not forget to install spacers in the corners.
You need to wait until the plywood is completely dry. At this time, it will finally take the form of an arc. Next, they act in two ways:
- Inserts are made from wooden beams. The surface is covered with plasterboard.
- Polyurethane foam is used. Open areas they just foam. After complete drying, remove protruding areas of swollen material. So that the plywood arch takes decorative look– the surface is completely puttied and covered with paint or varnish.
The second method is more complicated
It will be similar to working with gypsum board. Is as follows:
- The distance between opposite sides of the opening is measured. The required height of the arch is measured.
- All this is transferred to a sheet of plywood. It should be of such a size that it covers the walls by another 10-15 centimeters - you will need two sheets of these.
- An arc is drawn along three points.
- Use a jigsaw to cut out unnecessary things. The first sheet is used as a stencil for the second. The operation is repeated.
- Both segments are installed in a stationary place. They are secured - jumpers are made between them. The main thing is to install them correctly. In this case, the thickness of the material from which the arc will be made is measured. That is, if the thickness is 6 mm, then the jumpers should be installed from the edge of the arc at the same distance (+ 1-2 mm).
- Select a material for the arc (gypsum plasterboard or plywood) - bend it and install it.
- Finishing work is being carried out.
There is another way to create an arch from plywood, but it requires time and tools. Its essence is that internal filling arches are made from cut-out plywood fragments. Namely, filling occurs like a sandwich. But this method allows you to adjust the immersion depth of each subsequent arc. Thus, it is possible to create a wavy (relief) structure.
Drywall arch
How to make a plasterboard arch with your own hands? There's nothing complicated about it. This material is somewhat reminiscent of plywood, but it is easier to work with and much cheaper.
It’s great when you manage to combine several construction work: erecting walls and creating an arch from plasterboard. Then you can carry out installation with minimal finishing work.
There are two ways to use drywall, but it all starts with preparatory work:
- It is necessary to ensure that the work area is cleared of all unnecessary things ( door frames, platbands, decorative elements).
- If there are cracks or chips, they are repaired. Yes, the arch design will hide everything, but it’s better to avoid unpleasant consequences.
- The necessary tools are being prepared.
- A preliminary project is being created.
Method one - on a metal frame
This is a very fast and quite popular way that allows you to make a drywall arch in your house or apartment.
A wooden frame is made according to a similar principle. Only there more attention needs to be paid to the jumpers on which the arc will be attached.
To better understand how to do interior arch from drywall, watch this video:
The second method is typesetting
More difficult option. The principle is:
- From the corner of the opening, on both sides, segments of the plasterboard begin to be fixed. To do this, mix PVA and water.
- Each next piece is smaller than the previous one.
- So, until the smallest segment is fixed.
- Additionally, they are reinforced with self-tapping screws and anchors.
The hard part is coming. Namely, using a putty mixture to form a smooth arc. It's not that easy, it's better to prepare templates in advance.
As you can see, there are many ways you can use different materials and technology. Not all of them are suitable for work that can be done with your own hands. But if there is a desire, then following certain rules will allow you to create a magnificent design.
An easy way to increase space small apartment and clean the house. It is not always possible to move or dismantle walls, and this event is quite costly and labor-intensive. Opening with removed door It doesn’t look very aesthetically pleasing, so it needs to be designed in a new way.
The most popular way to do this is to design an arch. With the help of this element, it is possible to divide a long corridor into separate zones: this eliminates simplified geometry.
Such an architectural element can be installed in any part of the home - in, or in the living room. It will add individuality and originality to the house, making it different from standard apartments.
Make with my own hands the arch is quite real.
This will require certain tools, materials and detailed description process.
Tools:
- pencil, tape measure, ;
- metal scissors;
- bucket;
- sharp knife;
- grout float;
- respirator, gloves and goggles.
You can build it wherever you please, in any area of your home. But in order for such an element to fit perfectly into the design, you need doorway no lower than 2.5 meters. It will look great in any interior, but is most suitable as alternatives kitchen door or for long corridor.
Most arches significantly reduce the doorway, which in some cases is a significant drawback. You can check in advance exactly how the chosen type of arch will fit into the existing doorway. To do this, a blank is cut out of cardboard or paper and attached above the door.
When the metal profiles are firmly fixed to the wall surface, proceed to the installation of sheets.
It will be more convenient to use an electric one with torque. If the material thickness is 12.5 mm, 3.5 x 35 screws will be required, and for 9.5 mm sheets smaller screws will be sufficient.
In the same way, the reverse side of the arched frame is finished with plasterboard.
When screwing in the screws with a screwdriver, you should make sure that their heads are in the same plane with the surface of the material. If they are wrapped deeper, the resulting depressions will need to be covered.
To securely fix plasterboard parts to the frame, self-tapping screws must be placed at least every 15 cm.
Further, to enhance the rigidity of the structure, it is necessary to fix a curved metal profile along the edge of the arch. To do this, a segment of a metal profile is cut out according to the dimensions of the arc. Are used . Since the edges of the material are sharp, it is better to protect your hands with thick gloves.
How to bend a metal profile?
You need to make small cuts along its side edges, at a distance of about 10 cm from each other. With their help, the profile is easier to bend, as we need. The more you need to bend it, the more such notches will be required.
The profile, which has taken the shape of an arched arc, is fixed at its ends in the lower parts of the previously mounted metal frame. Then the walls of the arch are carefully attached with self-tapping screws to a curved metal guide. This is an important part of the work that deserves close attention.
The frame is considered complete only after perpendicular short profile strips are installed, connecting the two walls of the arch. Such special jumpers are located at several points.
Mounting for a drywall wooden frame arch
To work you will need wooden blocks And . How thick should the bars be? From the width of the opening to be finished, you need to subtract the width and to obtain the desired value. A curved line of an arched arc is outlined on the plywood, along which the workpiece is cut out with a jigsaw.
It (plywood arch) must be reinforced, the role of which is played by wooden blocks fixed to plywood with 50 mm self-tapping screws. Next, it should be fixed in the opening with long self-tapping screws, with a step size of 15 cm. The second wall of the plywood arch is mounted in the same manner. After these events, the plywood is sheathed with drywall using special self-tapping screws.
When the frame is completed, and the side arched walls are installed, you need to fix the lower section of the arch - arcuate. The length and width of the arc are measured, and a piece of drywall is cut out according to the dimensions obtained. Next, you need to bend it - how is it easier to do this? You can use the following trick.
On one side of the part, parallel notches are made every 10 cm, for which the top paper layer is cut with a sharp knife. It is important that these cuts are strictly perpendicular to the edges of the part, but parallel to each other.
If you want to bend the sheet quite a bit, then just slightly moisten it.
The resulting element is applied to the lower part of the arch with cuts upwards, gradually and carefully giving it the desired shape. In order not to damage the material, when bending drywall, you should not make great efforts. It is important to align the edges of the drywall rectangle with the arcs of the arch. It is fixed with screws, first in the upper part of the arch, then to its edges.
When the installation of the drywall arch is completed, you should deal with the smaller elements of the structure. Maybe somewhere the panel is not cut perfectly evenly, there are notches and tears. Using a sharp knife, the edge is carefully leveled. All work should preferably be carried out with protective gloves.
Only then will the arch appear before us in all its completeness. What is required? All joints and edges of drywall should be covered with fiberglass mesh or paper tape. Next, several layers are applied (at least three), and a thorough grinding is carried out. sandpaper different grain sizes. These procedures are not complicated; they can be done with your own hands.You will need an acrylic composition for interior work. But for seams it is better to use a different type of putty, more reliable and durable. This is necessary to prevent the formation of cracks and flaws at the joints. The putty is mixed well, only after that you can begin to apply it to the joints between the opening and the drywall. This is done with a special rectangular spatula. The caps of the self-tapping screws are also closed with the composition.
All surface defects (holes, tears, dents) are filled with putty and leveled. It should be perfect smooth surface, located on the same level with other parts of the arch and wall. Then it is much more difficult to correct such errors.
Next, to hide irregularities and prevent cracking, the joints and edges are glued over. To do this you can take paper tape or fiberglass mesh - both materials work great. Then layers of putty are applied, which are sanded after complete drying. After applying the last, third layer, we wait about twelve hours for it to dry: it will become dazzling white. After final grinding Fine-grained sandpaper produces a smooth and even surface that is ready for subsequent painting.
Modern renovation requires large investments both to pay for materials and to directly complete the tasks. It’s no wonder that many people try to save money by performing various processes on their own; they only benefit from this. For example, an arch in an apartment with your own hands will cost much less, and the knowledge that all this was done by you will warm your soul.
By creating various architectural and design solutions, you not only create unique elements design, but also work with the ergonomics of the room itself. It is known that rounded corners are better perceived and add a visual element of comfort to any room. That is why this method was used in various ancient buildings. Rectangular plots today are simply an attempt to implement more economical solutions, since mass construction does not favor individual solutions.
What types of arches are there?
Before installing an arch in an apartment, it is worth understanding what such a solution actually is. As a rule, an arch is called any opening that does not have a door. This, of course, goes against the opinion of many users, for whom such a solution contains only a semicircular completion. In fact, there are quite a few types of arches:
If you decide to create a really cozy and high-quality design in your apartment, then you will most likely have to make an arch. The price for such work ranges from 2000 to 4000 rubles. It cannot be called too high, since various modern materials allow you to do such processes very quickly and. However, you can save money by doing everything yourself, of course, if you have the knowledge and ability to do such work.
How to make an arch in your apartment?
How to make an arch? First you need to decide on the type of construction so that it exactly matches the chosen design of the entire apartment. After this, you should start choosing materials.
One of the best components to create such a structure there will be a plasterboard sheet. It is very easy to process and you do not need any tools to create a curved section. special devices. You can limit yourself to a hacksaw, or better yet, a jigsaw. Of course, there are other materials, but working with them requires a special approach and takes longer and is more difficult.
In order for all the work to be done correctly, you first need to mark all areas. Determine the radius of the rounding, the beginning of the curved section and the points where it will pass.
Then, along the predicted contour, a profile for installation is attached plasterboard sheet. Please note that when measuring, it is necessary to take into account not only the shape, but also the thickness of the material to be mounted, so as not to get sections protruding from the wall later.
When the installation of the profile is completed, and, therefore, the frame is ready on both sides of the opening, it is necessary to cut out the necessary sections from the plasterboard sheet, which will create the arched transition. Finished pieces of material are fixed to the frame, and general form the structure will already be approximately visible.
The final phase of the rough assembly will be the fastening of the arcuate section between the arched transitions. The material will be the same drywall. By the way, if the bend is very steep and there is a possibility that the sheet will crack, soak it in water, then its flexibility will increase.
Having secured this area, all work can be considered almost completed. It remains only to fix the forming corners and seal all the seams, and then carry out finishing those materials that are best suited for the design of your room.
All such work can be, or you can invite specialists for these purposes - this decision must be made by you personally, because there is no particular difficulty in such work, but it cannot be called very simple either.
Video on how to make an arch in an apartment with your own hands
Moreover, even small deviations from the right sizes can cause various distortions, so if you are making an arch in an apartment for the first time, be prepared for the fact that the process may have to be repeated until a quality result is achieved.
If this method is difficult for you, you can make an arch of bricks, aerated concrete blocks, and even apply PVC film as in suspended ceilings. Use any technology that is more convenient for you or available in order to create the most attractive design in your apartment.
