Arches are an architectural element that has existed since time immemorial. But despite all their archaism, arches are able to add zest to a modern one.
Now you can mount sheets of drywall - on both sides.
Construction of the arch vault
When starting to build an interior arch with your own hands, Special attention should be given to the vault. Firstly, this is the most difficult part of the arch to manufacture, and secondly, its shape affects the entire structure. 
In addition to the above-mentioned arch-portal, there are several more types: 
- Classical arch or Romanesque(arch in the form of a semicircle);
- Arch in Art Nouveau style(half a circle cut by a chord. It is similar to the classical one, but with a flatter arch);
- Pointed arches(the vault seems to be made up of two circles that are leaned against each other);
- "Romance" arc(similar arches are made in very wide openings. The vault is in the form of two arches connected by a straight gap);
- Prism(the arch is made without any roundness, consists of straight lines, between which there are obtuse angles).
The sides of the vaults are also made of plasterboard. We cut out a recess of the required shape from the bottom of the sheets.
Since a prismatic interior arch consists exclusively of straight lines, it is easiest to make it yourself. To make a rounded vault, you will have to sheathe it at the bottom bent sheets drywall.
If you want to build interior arch with your own hands, but there is doubt about own strength, then you can use standard ones or make them to order. Arches can be chosen in various designs, textures and materials.
Wooden arches will look expensive and presentable, but they won’t be cheap either. In addition, the material is heavy in every sense. For DIY work, fiberboard or MDF is better suited.
Assembling the arch must begin from the top.
First we use the wooden dowels supplied in the kit. We assemble a vault from two pairs of panels. We connect with PVA wood glue. After gluing, we wait for it to dry, and then the vault cornices from below.
Then we file the flexible plate of the inner part of the arch- with a margin of at least 10 millimeters.
We assemble the vault from the two halves, the halves are glued to the inner panel.
We install the arch in place and fix it with self-tapping screws or liquid nails. It is necessary to finish the side panels according to the dimensions of the openings with a small margin in length and width.
We also file the trims, from to to, so that the cut is inside the arch. Then we install platbands into the cornice of the vault using dowels. To do this, coat the groove with glue and insert the side panel into it so that the top edge is immersed in the groove.
We do the same with the second half of the arch.
Door arches Lately have gained great popularity. Arches look great in any home interior. There are many various types arches: for hallways, for kitchens, for living rooms, for bedrooms, for any room you can purchase an arch that suits its style and color scheme.
Arches of doorways in a house - what are they for?
Arched door structures are a wonderful decoration for any interior. Arches can be square or round, metal or wood in a wide variety of colors to suit your home.
The main purpose of door arches is, of course, aesthetic. Agree, a doorway in which a door is not installed looks empty and ugly, but with the installation of an arch, everything is transformed.
Now there are not many stores offering arched door designs. Sometimes they are not in the city at all.
The installation of an arched structure is similar in its actions to how it is done.
Installation and tools for arched structures
- It is necessary to make markings inside the doorway with different thicknesses of plasterboard sheets on both sides. We measure on inside The distance from both edges of the opening is equal to the thickness of the plasterboard sheet; we place marks near the ceiling and near the floor. To complete the procedure you will need chalk, a ruler and a building level;
- Use strong self-tapping screws to attach aluminum profiles to the ceiling and wall;
- Measuring the width of the arched structure;
- Installation of the frame;
- Sheathing the front side;
- Applying markings on an arched arc;
- Formation and installation of the arch;
- Completion of installation work.
After installing the arched structure, you will see how your home has been transformed. Today, many arched structures are sold in finished form. Their kit includes platbands, for example, made of plaster or wood; you can purchase beautiful half-columns for the sides of the doorway.
You can decorate the arch yourself, as you want, for example natural stones, tiles or any decorative material of your choice.
In the life of any person, repairs occur from time to time. It may be associated with the purchase of a new house or apartment, with the desire to update the interior of a familiar home. One way to organize space is to create arched structures. Arches in a house can perform two completely different functions: unifying space when an arch is placed instead of doors; division of a large area to highlight several zones with different functions.
Of these two options, the arch in doorway, giving more interesting view apartment layout. When replacing a door with an arch, it is necessary to consider the pros and cons of such a solution. The undoubted advantages for small apartment refers to the expansion of space. By combining a kitchen and a small room, you can create a dining room where it will be convenient and pleasant to dine with family or friends.
If in long and narrow corridor If several arches are installed, then the feeling of narrow passages like in a train carriage disappears.
If an informed decision has been made to install the arch, then we proceed to choosing the shape of the decorative structure:
- Rectangular;
- Semicircular, having an equilateral rounding;
- Semi-arch having only one rounded corner;
- Trapezoidal, the design of which consists of curved lines;
- Fantasy.
The downside of an arch instead of a door is that you can’t close the door to highlight your piece in the apartment. If an arch is placed instead of a kitchen door, the smell of cooking food will spread everywhere.
How to make an arch in a doorway
Once the shape has been determined, it is recommended to make a template from cardboard, fiberboard or other available materials. Creating a template helps you visualize the final result and more accurately calculate quantities necessary materials. When designing, we take into account that installing an arch in an existing doorway will reduce its height by approximately 10-15 cm. If the dimensions of the opening are not sufficient for implementation design ideas or the apartment owners are enough tall people, then you will have to increase the height of the doorway. Changing the height or width requires large costs, including labor, financial and time to coordinate the redevelopment in the relevant organizations. Determining the shape and creating a template are the first stages of making an arch.
They are followed:
- Dismantling the old door frame (if this has not been done previously);
- Preparing the wall surface for arch installation;
- Creating a frame;
- Installation of an arched structure;
- Finishing and decoration.
All this work can be entrusted to professionals, but if you have the desire, you can do everything yourself.
Instructions: how to make an arch with your own hands
The cheapest and most common material for constructing an arch, as for many other works, is drywall. Dismantling the old one door frame. For more modern designs it's simple. You just need to unscrew the screws and carefully remove the trim. Old houses present various surprises to their owners. In ancient times, nails were used to secure the trim to the bars.
Carelessness during such work can lead to the destruction of ceilings or their damage.
After dismantling, we carefully evaluate the intermediate result of the work. The former doorway and the wall next to it should be clean, smooth, and without serious damage. Therefore, when cracks and chips are detected, we putty, this will help subsequently finish them correctly and efficiently. If you plan to level the walls with plasterboard, then this can be combined with the construction of an arch.
When the doorway is prepared, a U-shaped frame made of metal profile. It consists of one horizontal segment equal to the width of the doorway and two vertical ones, the length of which corresponds to our future design. The frame should be on both sides of the opening, that is, we actually make two of them. Two rows of 10 cm holes are marked and drilled in the profile. Then holes are marked and drilled using a hammer drill at the ends of the wall. The guides are attached to the walls.
It's time to use the pre-cut template. Sheets of drywall are marked along it, two parts for each arch are cut out using a jigsaw and attached with self-tapping screws to the installed profiles. It is also necessary to mount a profile along the edges of the attached template parts. As we look at how to make a semicircular arch, important stage is to give the drywall profile the appropriate shape. To do this, we cut the edges of the letter P of our profile to the full height. The profile becomes obedient and takes on the geometric shape we need. After this, it takes its place along the edges of the cuts.
The next stage requires accuracy and attentiveness. We need to correctly install the arched fragment of our arch. The profile has already been installed, so we measure the length of the arc and the width of our part, cut out a rectangle. The difficulty is that the rectangle doesn't really want to become an arc. If ordinary drywall is used, then the main method of “pacifying” it is to wet it and at the same time give it the desired shape. But this option may seem difficult to ordinary home craftsmen who are afraid of making mistakes. In this case modern technologies suggest that we use arched plasterboard, which takes a semicircular shape much more easily than regular one. We fasten our part in the usual way, moving from the center of the arch to the edges, and we are almost at the finish line.
We process the edges of the arch, cutting off the excess. After this, we treat the joints and edges of the drywall with perforated paper tape or sickle tape, putty, and process sandpaper. Choosing putty for finishing depends on the future decor of our arch.
Remained Finishing work, which we will return to a little later. If you plan to install lamps in the semicircular part of the arch, then you need to do this before you start puttingty. If you are afraid to take on an unfamiliar material, then you can install an arched structure made of plywood. In this case, two methods are possible: the first is similar to working with drywall, the second is described below.
Do-it-yourself door arch: making from plywood
To build such a structure, first measure the size of the arc of the future arch. A rectangle is cut out of a sheet of thin plywood, the width of which is equal to the width of the doorway and the length is equal to the size of the arc. Plywood is a malleable material, so the cut rectangle is evenly moistened, allowed to lie for a short time and bent to be installed in the opening.
It is important to place the cut out part evenly and neatly; this will require some skill.
Be sure to secure the part with self-tapping screws in the center, then along the edges. We fill the space between the resulting semicircular arch and the walls polyurethane foam and wait for it to dry. If there is a lot of free space, then part of it can be filled with foam parts, and the remaining free space with foam. We cut off the excess foam and putty on the facade of our arch using sickle.
Less common designs are arches made of wood and brick. Despite the beauty and durability of such arches, their installation requires more expensive materials and the participation of professional craftsmen. The most interesting stage left in creating an arch in a doorway with your own hands is finishing. Various decorative materials can be used here.
Most common:
- Wallpapering;
- Decorative plaster;
- Coloring;
- Gluing finished foam finishing elements;
- Usage decorative stone and other types of finishing.
How to make a door arch with your own hands (video)
Thus, it is quite possible to make an arch in a doorway yourself, using ordinary tool for repairs and available materials. The result of such work will be pride in your work and an original decorative element in the design of the apartment.
The topic of this article is the manufacture of arched doors, their installation and the intricacies of these processes. We will talk about the types of doors with arches, note their varieties and the features of each type. We will also give recommendations on self-production entrance door in the form of an arch made of solid wood.
Today arched openings various forms and styles are used in the construction and decoration of most premises. They are used as entrance and interior doors.
Types of arched openings
Of all the diversity doorways in the form of arches, the following classification can be made:
- Semicircular arches. They are the most common and are also divided into subtypes:
- Classic (semicircular) - they have a smooth radial shape.
- Ellipsoidal - made in the shape of an elongated oval.
- Modern - have intricate shapes with various protrusions.
- Romantic - shaped more like a rectangle, with the upper edges slightly rounded.
- Horseshoe arches. They are shaped like a horseshoe. They can have not only a smooth semicircle, but also an elongated, pointed top. Most often, openings of this type are used to decorate premises in national styles.
- Gothic (pointed) arches. These structures have an elongated, pointed shape, without smooth transitions.
What types of arched doors are there?
Arched doors have many varieties and are classified according to various factors: installation location, material of manufacture, design features
Types of arched doors at installation site
There are two main categories here:
- Arched interior doors are located inside residential and other types of premises. Most often they are made of wood and have glazing. Stained glass compositions are often used for glazing such structures.
- Entrance doors in the form of arches - used mainly in entrance groups ah establishments: shops, organizations, shopping and entertainment centers. Made from plastic profile.
What are arched doors made of?
Due to the complexity of manufacturing this type of door leaf, the variety of material for their production is not very abundant:
- Plastic. This material serves for the production of profiles, from which they are made not only entrance doors, but also windows.
- Solid wood. Wooden door leaves in the shape of arches are used for entrance areas in the private sector, as well as inside any type of premises.
Structural features of arched doors
Based on the characteristics of operation, the complexity of installation and the cost of the finished product, the following arched door structures can be distinguished:
- Canvases that repeat the contours of the opening one to one. The peculiarity of such doors is that their production takes a long time. They stand quite high. Such models are made of wood, as they are arched plastic doors made using a different technology.
- Standard canvases with an arched part fixed above them. Such doors are somewhat cheaper, since their arched part is mounted separately and does not open together with the door leaf. It also becomes possible to use not only hinged, but also sliding versions of the canvases.
Important! The opening height for such doors should be large enough. It is calculated according to the formula: Vpr = 210 cm + half the width of the opening.
- Single doors. They are usually used as interior spaces, as well as input options for private homes and public spaces.
- Double doors. For wide openings it is advisable to use two sashes. One of them can be fixed in the opening using a latch. Relevant for entrance groups. In this case, more often than not, the “working” part of the door is 2 times wider than the fixed part.
Making an arched door yourself
Despite the difficulty of making such canvases, it is possible. Now you can see for yourself. You and I will learn how to make wooden entrances arched doors.
It is better to order the box part according to your dimensions, and we will make the canvas ourselves.
We prepare everything you need
First you need to prepare tools, boards and available materials. We will need:
- Jigsaw with wood saws.
- Electric milling machine with two types of cutters: disk (for grooves) and cylindrical.
- Sanding machine with sandpaper of different grain sizes. The best one is tape.
- Boards, 5 centimeters thick.
- Wooden wedges.
- Two small blocks and 4 wood screws. The length of the screws should be 30mm greater than the thickness of the bars.
- Carpenter's waterproof glue. PVA is possible.
Making a blank for the arched part of the canvas
To make the arched part of the door leaf, we first need to measure the final width of the opening. That is, from the total width we subtract the thickness of the “box” part and a 2mm gap between the door and the opening (frame).
After this we do the following work:
Important! Before making an arched door, you need to select well-dried boards. Since if they are damp, the canvas will warp over time.
- Now, using an electric router, we make grooves for a tighter connection. To do this, we take a disk-slot cutter. We make the grooves in such a way that the protruding part is about half the thickness of the board. That is, 2.5 millimeters. The same goes for the internal groove.
- Next, we clean the entire surface of the grooves from dust and apply wood glue to them. After this, we connect all the boards and leave them to dry.
Important! In order for gluing to occur better, you need to take a board and attach pre-prepared bars to it with self-tapping screws. The distance between the bars should be 10–20 mm greater than the width of the glued workpiece. Place the workpiece between the bars and spread it apart with wedges.
Cut out a semicircle from the blank
For this operation, we recall the installation experience plasterboard arches. We use one of two options to outline the arched shape:
- If the arch has an even semicircle. Mark the middle at the bottom of the workpiece. Then we take a pencil and tie a non-stringent thread to it. Cut the thread exactly to the length of the arch radius. Apply one end of the thread to the mark and draw a semicircle with a pencil.
- If the shape of the arch (as in the photo) has an elongated semicircular or pointed shape, then we use a different method. To outline the boundaries of the bend contour it is very convenient to use a long metal ruler. We also make a mark in the middle and draw a line from it strictly vertically to the length of the radius of the arch. Next, we place the ruler on the edge and bend it so that one edge touches the radius mark, and the other coincides with the edge of the workpiece. After this, draw a line with a pencil. On the second side we follow the same steps.
Important! Make sure you get a symmetrical arched neckline.
Next, take a jigsaw and carefully cut the workpiece according to the markings. After that we take grinding machine with the coarsest sandpaper and process the surface of our arched part of the door on both sides. After this, we repeat grinding with a finer abrasive.
Now the most beautiful part of our door is ready. Arched interior doors can be decorated with the same elements. However, it is worth considering that for interior spaces glazed arches will be more elegant. And their manufacture requires carpentry skills.
Finishing the door leaf
Now we have to make the rest of the door. It will be assembled according to the same principle as the previous part. The only difference will be that the boards will not be positioned horizontally, but vertically.
You should also provide a horizontal part at the very bottom of the canvas. This will help extend the life of the door.
As a result we have door leaf will consist of 3 parts:
- Horizontal bottom cross member.
- Shield made of vertical boards.
- Upper cross member. It is also the arched part.
After all 3 parts of the door are ready, we connect them using the tenon method. To do this, we use a milling cutter to perform the appropriate operations and place all 3 parts on glue. Don't forget to support the canvas with wedges.
The final stage is treating the entire surface of the door with a protective agent and finishing coat. Pinotex or any other wood protection is suitable for this.
If the door will always be on the sunny side, it is not recommended to cover it with laminating coatings. In this case, it is better to use ordinary colorless varnish for exterior use.
In an effort to deviate from generally accepted standards and give the interior elegance, apartment owners and country houses change the usual doors to arches. This is no longer new, but still popular to this day. designer highlight. The arch in the doorway can be purchased ready-made or made with your own hands. It comes in a variety of configurations, so it allows you to realize any idea.
Shapes of arched openings
Interior door arches are selected not only based on taste preferences, but also depending on certain parameters: ceiling height and. The structures are made of plasterboard, wood, MDF, PVC. The easiest way to work is with drywall, as it is the most flexible material.
There are currently a large number of different types arches that vary in shape. The most common are:
Arched openings also have various designs and based on this they are divided into several varieties:
Having taken a closer look at your interior and choosing the right arch model, you can begin phased implementation work.
Step-by-step instructions for making your own
To avoid spending extra money on finished goods, you can do the finishing of the arched opening yourself. To do this, you need to follow a clearly established scheme.
Carrying out the necessary measurements
Any construction process requires precision, which is achieved by taking preliminary measurements. You need to start from the opening itself, so first measure its width and height. The size of the span between the walls of the opening is equal to the width of the arch. In order to make a semicircle as accurately as possible, this indicator must be divided by two.
Before making an arch, you need to decide on its future configuration. If you are going to do it in classic style, then pre-level the walls. Otherwise, the design will look ugly. You can remove all defects from a vertical surface with putty or plaster using beacons.
Creating a supporting frame
To install the frame, you should perform a series of sequential steps:
- A contour made of a metal profile is screwed along the lines of the opening with dowels. Vertical guides are installed indented from the surface of the interior wall. The size of the indentation is equal to the thickness of the drywall sheet and the plaster layer (about 0.2 cm).
- We install two such profiles parallel to each other on each side.
To construct the frame, two profiles are installed in parallel - Having finished working with the profiles, we begin installing the first sheet of drywall. If its thickness is 1.25 cm, then it is recommended to screw it with 3.5x35 self-tapping screws. If the thickness of the gypsum board is no more than 0.95 cm, use smaller screws.
Drywall is secured using self-tapping screws - Cover the second side of the frame with plasterboard.
- Make a metal profile in the shape of an arc. To do this, cut with special scissors side walls profile every 7 centimeters. As a result of these actions, it is easier to give it the required shape. For an arched structure, two such blanks will be required.
An arched arc is made from the profile - Install and secure the arched profiles to the main part of the frame.
The arcuate profile is attached to the main part of the frame - To ensure that the arches are securely fixed, they are attached with hangers to a straight guide located on top. The number of hangers depends on the width of the opening. Usually three pairs are enough.
- In increments of 0.4-0.6 m, attach reinforcing crossbars around the perimeter of the frame, fixing them on the guides of two contours.
- As a result of the above actions, a reliable metal structure in the form of an arch from a profile. In the future, it will be covered with plasterboard or plywood.
If it is assumed that the columns of the arches will not be too thick in thickness, then 2 arches can be replaced with a wide profile. Cutting and bending is done in exactly the same way. Only in this case the installation of crossbars is not required.
Sometimes instead of a metal profile they use wooden slats. The frame installation technology does not change significantly.
Bending plasterboard sheet
After installing the frame, they take on the bending of the gypsum board. Experts recommend using drywall designed specifically for arched structures. He accepts easily the required form, if the material is wrinkled in the longitudinal direction.
If you decide to use regular drywall, you will have to tinker with it. The installation element is cut out the right size in the form of a rectangle. They bend it in two ways: wet and dry.
Bend manufacturing diagram The wet method takes a lot of time and cannot be rushed. To prevent the material from cracking when bent, it is moistened with water and punctures are made. In this form, the sheet of drywall is left to lie for some time, and then it is bent onto a template of the desired configuration.
The dry method refers to the application of cuts parallel to each other on the back side of the plasterboard. The cut goes deep into the sheet, affecting the outer cardboard layer and plaster. Layer of cardboard with front side remains intact.
With the dry method, the bending of the installation element takes correct form. It is important to know that cutting through gypsum boards is best done with a jigsaw rather than a hacksaw. Then the edges will not be torn.
Rough sheathing of the frame
If the bending was done using the wet method, then first of all you need to wait until the sheet of drywall is completely dry. The material is fixed first with adhesive tape and then with self-tapping screws. The minimum step between them should be from 5 to 6 centimeters.
Perforated corner prevents edge chipping After fastening the edge trim plasterboard sheet are being cleared. And in order to prevent chipping of the curved edge, a perforated plastic corner is installed on it.
Leveling with putty
To make the surface smooth, you need to finish the arched structure. First, apply a primer, and after it dries, putty. To reinforce the second layer and strengthen the corners, fiberglass mesh is used.
Fiberglass mesh reinforces the corners of the arch The last third layer of putty is applied to the mesh. After about 10 hours, it dries, after which you can begin sanding the uneven areas. If the work is done well, the surface will be free of roughness and unevenness, and the heads of the screws will not be visible in it.
Methods for finishing arches
Those who want to decorate the arches themselves will have to work hard, cutting out each part separately. However, many do not look for complications and choose the simple path - they purchase factory-made structures from prefabricated elements.
Ready-made and prefabricated linings
There are two types of factory-made overlay: wooden and foam.
Foam elements
Foam arches are often preferred as an alternative to plaster products. The advantages of such designs are as follows:
- Quick installation. The installation speed is much higher than arched structures made of plywood or gypsum plasterboard.
- Low price.
- Easy transportation. Polystyrene foam is a fairly light material, so you don’t need to hire movers to deliver the product to your home.
- Light weight. Arches of this type can be installed even on very weak structures.
- Various forms.
Foam arches are assembled from ready-made elements and cut locally to fit the dimensions of the opening The negative aspects of an arched foam structure are: fragility, toxicity, and rapid flammability.
Wood elements
Wooden arched structures do not require advertising. They look rich and rarely do not fit any interior style. However, it should be understood that the word “wooden” does not mean that all components are made of pine, oak or other solid wood.
The arch can be made from natural wood, MDF, chipboard or plywood Arched elements are also made from inexpensive MDF, laminated chipboard, plywood covered with veneer. Required option selected individually based on taste and wallet thickness.
Wooden elements are ordered from a catalog and then cut to length before installation Installation wooden structures It's easy to do. IN construction stores arches are sold both assembled and disassembled. The first option is considered more reliable, since the work was performed by a specialist.
Decoration with finishing materials
Currently, there are many ways to do it beautifully and neatly. The decor is selected so that it is in harmony in color, texture, material with the home environment. The most popular options are:
- Simple coloring. The arch will look elegant and complete if you simply paint it white, Brown color or to match the walls. This finish is often complemented decorative elements, backlight.
Plain paint looks great when combined with lighting - Wallpapering. This is the fastest, most affordable and easiest process. For these purposes, vinyl or non-woven options are best suited.
Slopes highlighted with wallpaper are a very stylish design move - Finishing with wooden and plastic lining. The method guarantees not only a wonderful aesthetic appearance, but also ensures the durability of the structure, protecting it from moisture and mechanical damage.
The option with lining is perfect for interiors with wall decoration made of the same material - Decorative plaster. The surface of the arch is beautiful, textured and durable. True, such finishing sometimes needs to be restored, and it requires some care.
This method looks especially advantageous in deep arches. - Stone. Arch in a house made of natural or artificial stone can only be installed with the help of a professional. The decoration captivates the eye and makes the interior unusual.
The torn edges of the arch can become the highlight of any interior - Cork- This is a fairly expensive, but environmentally friendly material. It gives in easily mechanical damage Therefore, to extend its service life, it is recommended to coat the cork with wax.
Cork finishing brings a sense of eco-friendliness and comfort to the interior - Clinker tiles. This finish will last for many years. It does not attract dirt and does not require special care.
Finishing with clinker tiles – limitless space for interesting solutions
