The arch is a very real project. It can be based on different materials, but one of the simple solutions is to use drywall. Without the right skills, using the right tools and techniques, you could build something like this in a weekend.
Preparation of materials and tools
If you wondered how to make an arch with your own hands, you should prepare materials, including:
- drywall;
- metal profiles;
- fiberglass mesh;
- self-tapping screws;
- putty.
Metal profiles can be replaced with plywood or wooden blocks. If you don't have fiberglass mesh, you can get by with mounting tape. When preparing tools, consider what you will need:
- roulette;
- metal scissors;
- spatula;
- bucket;
- screwdriver;
- knife;
- trowel;
- respirator;
- protective gloves;
- glasses.
Beforeto make an arch, you must take care of the presence of a pencil and a carpenter's square. First you need to choose a place. It can be located in almost any space of the house. Everything will be limited by your imagination. The first step is to measure the selected area.
Markup
When you know the dimensions of the doorway or the place where you plan to implement the idea, you need to draw an arch on a drywall sheet. The contour image is a rather important and responsible stage. If you do not pay due attention to it, then all subsequent work will be in vain.
A self-tapping screw is screwed into the drywall, to which a rope should be tied. This will give you a compass. With it, you can draw the desired radius. Using a longer rope will give you a larger radius curve so you can make it less steep. At this stage, you can make several attempts until you can get the right shape that suits your needs and tastes.
If you are faced with the task of how to make a drywall arch, then the next step is to cut out the contours with a jigsaw or a special drywall hacksaw. It is important to make sure that the sheet is securely fixed, otherwise you may damage the cardboard. The jigsaw should cut through the canvas along the drawn line. This will affect the quality of the final result.
Recommendations for installing the arch in a room with high humidity
If you plan toto mount the arch in a place where humidity is high, moisture-resistant drywall should be purchased for work. Usually the leaves have a green tint. Otherwise, the arch may lose its appearance due to moisture.
Choice of frame material
Before you make the door arch, you will need to create a frame. For this, steel profiles or lumber bars are used. Each of these options has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, the first one is light and perfectly straight, but the wooden blocks are more durable.
Experts recommend using metal profiles if you work with brick walls. Whereas if the room has wooden surfaces, it is better to use wooden blocks.
Creating a frame
Having measured the desired length, you will need to cut out guides from metal profiles that are fixed on the wall. Two profiles are cut along the width of the opening, which are fixed in the upper part. Profiles are installed on both sides of the opening, however, their size will depend on the radius of the arch.
When preparing a frame from a metal profile on a concrete wall, with a drill, you will first need to drill holes and install dowels. After that, the screws are screwed in. If a metal profile is fastened to a wooden base, self-tapping screws should be used, the length of which is at least 50 mm. The distance between fasteners should be 12 cm.
Prettyoften home craftsmen are faced with the question of how to make an arch in a doorway. In this case, it is necessary to act according to technology. After reviewing it, you can understand that after installing metal profiles, you can mount the first sheet of drywall. It is better in this case to use an electric screwdriver that has a torque control function.
If you purchased 12.5mm drywall sheets, it is best to use 3.5 x 35mm self-tapping screws. With a decrease in thickness to 9.5 mm, smaller screws should be selected. By the same principle, the frame is sheathed with drywall on the other side.
Using a screwdriver, the screws are screwed into the surface so that their caps are flush with the skin, otherwise you will also have to close the recesses with putty. If you, like many owners of apartments and houses, have thought about how to make a drywall arch with your own hands, then you must securely strengthen the finish on the metal frame. To do this, the screws are screwed in every 15 cm.
Increased structural rigidity
When fixing a curved metal profile along the edge, you should think about increasing the rigidity of the structure. To do this, it is necessary to determine the length of the arc and prepare a profile segment. In this case, it is necessary to act with the help of scissors for metal. It is important to wear protective gloves to prevent cuts from sharp edges.
In order to bend the metal profile, on its side facescuts are made every 12 cm. This will give the profile a curved shape. If it is necessary to bend the element more, cuts should be made more.
With the help of self-tapping screws, the profile is strengthened in the lower parts of the frame, but first it is shaped into an arc. After you have made sure that the ends of the curved profile are securely fixed to the frame, you can screw the drywall walls to the curved metal rail using self-tapping screws. This stage is important when creating the arch, so you need to make sure that the drywall is well fixed to the frame.
In order for the surface to turn out to be even, self-tapping screws are screwed in every 15 cm. Before you make an arch, you must remember that it is not considered finished until perpendicular sections of the profile are installed. They will tie the side walls. These jumpers are connecting and located at several points.
Finishing
The final stage will be finishing. To do this, the edges of drywall and joints are pasted over with paper tape. It can be replaced with fiberglass mesh. You will need to apply about three layers of putty and sand the surface several times with sandpaper. In this case, the graininess should decrease. If you are deciding how to make an arch, then you must remember that this stage is not one of the most difficult. Even a non-professional can handle it.
In conclusion
For the arch is perfect andwooden frame. In this case, additional plywood should be used. The base will be wooden bars. Before you make an arch, you must remember that the latter are attached to plywood, only after the arch is fixed in the opening with long self-tapping screws. The distance between them should be 15 cm. The last step will be fixing the bars to the plywood wall and lining the structure with drywall. The latter must be installed using self-tapping screws for this material.
