Introduction
How to frame an arched doorway when you have ever seen a plain doorway and thought that it felt so harsh and cold, it is a fun project to know how to frame an arched doorway. You will also observe in this guide on how to frame an arched doorway in uncomplicated steps that a beginner can easily follow without fear.
Take your time, read all the steps and you will soon know the entire process of planning, to cutting and even putting your new arch in place.
Prepared your door and examine the wall.
Think how to frame an archway in your room before putting your fingers to it. You must look at the wall and doorway opening and determine how high and wide you want the arch to be. Ensure that there is no pipes, wire, and switches in the location where you are going to add framing.
Record every size using a tape measure. Inquire whether the wall is load bearing or not or in any case, consult a professional before changing anything. Good planning will help you in the rest of the work and you will be confident of the way to structure an arched doorway.
Collect the proper equipment and material.
Typical tools are the tape measure, pencil, level, handsaw or jigsaw, drill, screws, nails and safety equipment such as glasses and gloves.
Prepare all that close to the door and you are not going back and forth. Proper preparation helps to save time, remain calm, and reduce the probability of errors in learning how to frame an arched doorway step-by-step.
Trace the shape of an arch in plywood or on drywall.
You may now proceed to draw the line that will lead to the manner of framing an arch door. Prepare a piece of plywood or drywall that is a little bigger than what the doorway is. Locate the middle line and trace it using the pencil. Take a screw or nail in the middle, tie a string to it, and have a pencil on the other end of the line, and draw it like a compass, with the string.
Til the length of the string until the shape appears correct.
Cut the arch and cut similar pieces.
The second step in the instruction of how to frame an arched doorway is to cut the figure that you have checked. Lay piece of sheet on a firm surface and cut along the marked line of the arch using a jigsaw or a hand saw. Take your time in order to keep the cut straight.
After cutting the first arch, trace and cut the second piece of arches that is similar.
Connect the pieces of an arch to the frame of the doorway.
You can now begin to observe how to make an arched doorway look in a real life scenario. Grab one curved bit at the top of the doorway, and align it with the already existing studs and edges. screw fixed onto the plywood or drywall onto the wood frame behind.
And the same again with the second curved piece but be careful and make them level and mirror each other. It may be simpler with an assistant to keep pieces in place during the screwing and the checking to make sure everything is in place, particularly when you are attempting to experiment on how to build an arched doorway at home.
Support the curve by adding blocking.
To hold all together, you shall need to insert tiny blocks of wood in between the two pieces of arches; this is one of the most important steps in how to frame an arched doorway. Take short lengths of 2×4, and so cut that they will just fit in the bottom bends, about every few inches all along the arch.
Screw or nail every block to the two curved sides so as to shape a solid ladder-like structure. These blocks will hold the curved drywall in the future or plywood to prevent wobbling and make the arch hold its shape in the long run.
Bend and install the facing material.
It is here that you get the method of framing an arched doorway which actually forms the continuous curve that you get. Take a piece of drywall or plywood of a thin wall thickness.
Systematically bend it at the back of the arch pushing against the wood blocks. You might have to score the back side of drywall or cut little holes into plywood in order to bend it easier. When it takes line on the curve, screw it into every block. Slowly, working at one side of the arch, cross over.
sand, polish and pre-paint.
Seal all joints, screw holes, and edges with joint tape and joint compound. Allow the compound to dry down, and rub it lightly with sand till it becomes smooth to touch.
Line covering may require two or three thin layers. In the case of a flat surface, prime both the new arch and the surrounding.
Final thought
When you read about how to frame an arched doorway, you acquire not merely a new form of doorway. You get to know the importance of being patient, planning and working step by step.
It is as though the work of measuring, cutting a smooth curve, adding the blocks, and finishing the surface, are the parts of a puzzle. The feeling of empowerment you develop by viewing your doorway transformation may also motivate you to pursue other home tasks in a composed and deliberate manner, how to frame an arched doorway being your initial lesson.
Friendly advice
In the event that it is the first occasion when you are experimenting on how to frame an arched doorway then be nice to yourself and give yourself time. Always read the instructions before picking up the tool and remember safety first by putting on glasses, mask and gloves when necessary.
It is not a big worry that your initial cuts might not be perfect since it is feasible to conceal slight imperfections by sanding and compound. You may not be completely sure of the wall structure or wiring so stop and seek advice of a professional.
Conclusion
The steps of measuring and drawing the curve, to the steps of cutting, framing and finishing have a distinct meaning that leads to the other.
You can achieve good results even with being a beginner provided that you have your tools ready, use safe habits and you do not hurry the process.
