Framing the arched opening: master's advice

Today we will discuss the framing of the arched opening: what can be made of the arch itself and how to decorate it.

The dismantling of interior doors and the design of the opening in the form of an arch is a picture that is often found in our modern times. This method to ennoble the exterior of any room works flawlessly.

What are the arch shape

The shape of the main arched elements can be divided into 4 groups:

• Classic form.
• Design in a romantic style.
• The use of ellipsoidal shapes.
• Arch in modern style.

Consider in more detail each of these types of openings.

Arches of the classical form

Классическое arched doorway decoration представляет собой полукруг с правильным радиусом. Это самый распространенный вид арок, наиболее популярный для малогабаритных квартир.

Due to the shape of the classics can be made of most building and finishing materials. This design fits perfectly into the narrow opening.

Arches in the style of romance

This type of arch is often used for wide openings. The shape of the structure resembles a rectangle. The top is even, the edges are rounded, smoothly turning into vertical elements of the opening.

Features of the form allow you to preserve the width of the doorway over the entire height of the arch. Romantic performance is quite suitable for any interior.

Ellipsoidal arched openings

Creating arches in the form of an ellipse is limited only by the imagination of the artist. Such openings can have the shape of both a regular and curvilinear ellipsoidal shape.

In addition to the original appearance, the advantage of this design is the ability to apply it at any height of ceilings in an apartment or house.

Arched doorways in modern style

Here, like ellipsoidal arches, there are no limits for the imagination of designers. Modern arches are most often a semicircle or arc with curved elements.

Нередко проем в стиле модерн напоминает собой по форме овал. Такое arched frame можно встретить в офисных помещениях, а так же в квартирах (частных домах), имеющих достаточно большую площадь.

What are arched openings

Materials that are used in the installation of doorways in our time, a large number.

Here are some of them:

• DSP.
• MDF.
• Natural wood.
• Plywood.
• Fiberboard
• Plasterboard.

Each of these materials has its advantages and disadvantages. As well as installation features.

Features wooden arches

Framing the doorways with wooden arches gives a solid appearance to residential and public spaces. Long since the tree is considered a symbol of good taste.

If we talk about ready-made arches, which can be purchased at a building store or interior design salon, then such structures consist of several components that are attached to each other during installation. Such products include designs of MDF and solid wood.

В общественных местах к ним очень подходит curtain arch design. Например, при обустройстве интерьера ресторанов или гостиниц.

Note! If you decide to buy a ready-made arch, then first find out in the store all its exact dimensions. This is necessary in order to accurately prepare the opening.

Недостатком покупных изделий является то, что они довольно дорого стоят. Что же делать в такой ситуации? Самостоятельно оформить арочный проем! Для этого можно использовать ДСП, фанеру, ДВП или MDF.

Tips for decorating a wooden archway

In order to make an arch with your own hands, you do not need to possess deep carpenter skills.

It is enough to follow the following recommendations:

• For sawing curvilinear forms you need to get an electric jigsaw with various files on wood. With a sufficiently "steep" bends, it is better to use files for figure cutting.
• You must first make all measurements.: opening width, height of the arch from the top point to the ceiling, the shape and radius of the bend. As a rule, classic semicircular shapes are made of wood.
• Далее необходимо подумать о том, how to make an arched doorway: what decorative materials to use, determine their quantity and buy in the store.
• Need to make a frameon which the elements of the opening will be fastened: the front parts on both sides and the curved end part.

  Note! When installing the frame, it is necessary to take into account the thickness of the material (MDF and chipboard - usually 16 mm, plywood - from 4 to 10 mm), from which the facade parts of the arch will be made. That is, the frame itself must be drowned inside the opening at this distance. So that after arching its surface was flush with the rest of the wall.

• End part is more convenient to do from DVPas this material can be bent on the necessary radius.

Plasterboard archways

Drywall is a versatile material (see Drywall Arch). It is suitable for most decorating. Its use allows you to make arches of any shape - from classic to modern.

A drywall arch is made using the frame method. The metallization profile of two types serves as a frame: a guide and a rack.

Making a drywall arched doorway

The procedure for mounting such an opening is as follows:

• First, the main frame is installed from the guide profile. The most commonly used galvanized profile 28? 27mm. It is mounted using metal screws (if the partition or wall is made of plasterboard), dowels with a screw or nail (for walls of concrete and brick) or screws with a large thread (for attaching to a wooden opening).
• Next, with the help of improvised means is a semicircle (or other necessary form). For this it is convenient to use a pencil and a piece of hard thread.

  Note! The length of the thread should be equal to the bend radius of the arch. You tie a string to a pencil and from the middle of the opening define a semicircle. Then, using an electric jigsaw or a hacksaw on drywall, cut it along the line.

  
• Now attach both front parts to the main frame. Then you need to make a frame for the curved part of the arch. In this case, the guide profile will be attached to the facade of the opening from the inside.
• To give the profile a curved shape, cut it with metal scissors in two planes out of three every 5–8 centimeters. There is a rule here: the steeper the bend, the more often it is necessary to make cuts.
• After that we fasten the resulting “snake” with metal screws of 3.5 25 25 mm to the edge of the curved part of the arch.
• The last stage of installation is to bend and attach the curved part of the opening.

By itself, gypsum is a fragile material, but when wetted with water and processed with a needle roller it can be given the desired bending radius for the end part of the arch span.

Decorative facing of doorways

The frame of the arched opening looks very good in cases where all the curved lines are emphasized or separated from the general interior. For such a selection, you can use a decorative arched corner (see How to mount an arched corner).

Particularly original will look decor stone, pasted on the edges of the opening. Or you can use products from foam - columns, pilasters, etc. Wood shop arches already have a topcoat and do not need additional decoration.