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How to Build an Arched Doorway
Step-by-Step Instructions on Framing an Arched
Doorway
By: Mark J. Donovan
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One way to add some character between
two rooms in your home is to build an archway doorway. Though it may sound
complicated at first blush, building an arched doorway is actually fairly easy
to do. The only real difficulty is getting the right shaped arched, but there
are a few tips that can help in doing this. Read on to find out how.
To begin the process of building an arched doorway, remove any existing
entranceway trim between the two rooms and the drywall that is covering the wall
studs of the existing doorway opening.
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Next, find a large sheet of cardboard
that can span the doorway opening and have the desired archway depth. Attach the
cardboard to the doorway opening using tape or tacks. Then, using string and two
attached pencils, trace the desired doorway arch on the cardboard. You can do
this by placing one pencil centered at the bottom of the cardboard and pushed
into it, and sweeping the other end of the string with the other pencil attached
to it over the piece of cardboard. The length of the string should be such that
at full extension it reaches the top of the doorway opening. Also, make sure to
trace around the perimeter of the cardboard along the doorway edges to get the
non-arched shape of the doorway.
As an alternative to using the string method, you can simply free hand the arch
shape using just a pencil, if for example you want to simply make some gentle
curves near the corners of the doorway.
Once you feel you’ve got the desired archway use the cardboard template to cut
two archways out of ˝” thick plywood.
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Next, rip a couple of 8 foot 2x4s to
remove 1 inch from their width, so that they are 2-1/2 inches thick. Fasten the
necessary lengths of ripped 2x4s to the top and upper sides of the doorway to
act as nailing surfaces for the plywood arches that you just cut out. Use 2-1/2
inch screws instead of nails for securing the 2x4s to the existing doorway wall
studs so that you prevent cracking any surrounding drywall surfaces.
After securing the top and two side 2x4s archway wall studs, attach two
additional diagonal 2x4s between the center of the top 2x4 and the bottom of
each side of the vertical 2x4 pieces. |
Next, attach the plywood arches to
the newly attached wall studs using 1-5/8 inch screws.
Then, using a few ripped 2x4 scraps
fill in some of the opening spaces between the two plywood arches to add
rigidity and nailing surfaces for the drywall.
Finally drywall over the plywood arched doorway opening. If the 2x4s were ripped
to the right thickness the drywall should sit flush with the adjacent drywall
surfaces.
If the arch does not have too tight of a radius simply bend into shape a drywall
strip of the required width along the bottom edge of the arched doorway, and
fasten it to the framed archway with 1-5/8 inch drywall screws. If the radius is
too tight you may need to install a few sections of drywall to cover the bottom
edge of the arched doorway.
Finally attach flexible corner bead to the bottom edge of the arched doorway and
then tape and mud the corner bead and other drywall seams. To wrap up building
the arched doorway project, prime and apply a couple of coats of paint.
For information on Installing Interior Door Trim,
see the
Installing Interior Door Trim Ebook
from HomeAdditionPlus.com. The Installing Interior Door Trim Ebook provides
easy to understand, detailed step-by-step instructions, on how to install interior door
trim around an interior or exterior door. Pictures are included for every
key step in the process!
How to Finance your Home Project -
can help provide funds for your new home improvement project if financing is
required. Related Articles on Interior Doors
Interior Doors from Amazon.com
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