DIY a Beautiful Arch Doorway in Your Home. Here's How!

Arches have been integral to architecture for as long as humans have constructed their living environments. Used for their structural stability, beauty, and architectural interest, cultures worldwide, from ancient Romans to classical Chinese, used arches to create large, open spaces and well-supported doorways and egresses. While modern-day arches found in residential buildings don't typically have the structural purpose of their predecessors, they provide a great way to add aesthetic appeal and uniqueness to a home. In this article, we’ll look at how you can incorporate this ancient building feature to add a touch of elegance and architectural flair to any doorway in your home. We’ll discuss how arches are best used and how to make one yourself.

If you need further assistance, visit Wood Country Building Services, where our helpful associates can answer any project questions.

Different Archways for Different Homes

You can create an arch using various materials, from simple drywall and plaster to intricate wood panels and custom stone curves. Let’s examine each before we delve into how to DIY one.

Masonry

Masonry arches, created by skilled craftsmen using stone and brick, were typical in Victorian and Neoclassicism residential architecture from the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s. If you own a “century home,” you probably have masonry arches somewhere in your house. Most arches are found on the exterior of windows and doors, but are also found inside.

Wood

Subtle wood archways with simple yet beautiful panelled sections were often used in Craftsman-style homes, which gained popularity in the late 19th Century into the mid-20th Century. These arches are found at doorways and partition walls, separating rooms to create soft architectural details instead of the traditional archways' larger, circular curves.

Drywall/Plaster

Both modern and classic, the drywall arch is straightforward and minimalist yet reminiscent of the Adobe-style architecture found in the American Southwest. It creates design interest without ornate wood panelling or intricate stonework. The arch is non-load-bearing and straightforward, making it an ideal project for DIYers.

6 Steps to a Beautiful DIY Arch Doorway in Your Home

While doable for DIYers, the first two archways require considerable skill and experience; we will focus on the drywall arch instead. You can always conduct further research to build on what you learn here to tackle the more challenging arch types.

This drywall project is written for a standard interior doorway or hallway opening, but it can be easily adapted for other sizes of doorway openings.

Tools

• Measuring tape & pencil
• String and screw or large compass
• Level
• Jigsaw or keyhole saw
• Drill
• Utility knife
• Drywall rasp (optional, but helpful)
• Drywall taping knife
• Sanding block or drywall sander
• Paintbrush or roller
• Safety equipment (dust mask, safety goggles, etc.)

Materials

• Framing lumber (2”x4’)
• One plywood or MDF sheet
• One 1/2” drywall sheet (4’x8’) (Two sheets if you’re concerned about mistakes or wider door openings)
• Drywall screws
• Flexible corner bead
• Standard corner bead
• Joint compound
• Drywall tape
• Primer and paint
• Header and jack studs (if framing a load-bearing wall)

Step 1: Prepare the Opening

Once you have determined the location of your arch, frame your rough opening. Depending on where the arch will be placed – in a load-bearing or non-load-bearing wall – you may need to take the proper precautions to support the floor above, if required.

For load-bearing walls, install a header and supporting members that comply with local building codes for openings in load-bearing walls. Simple wall framing will do for non-load-bearing applications.

When framing the height of the opening, it's essential to have a design planned and a sense of the style of arch you want – is it a high arch in the Roman style or a subtler one, such as that of the Craftsman? Ensure your rough opening accommodates this detail and the thickness of your finished material. We’re using ½” drywall here, so add 1” to the finished opening width and height to determine the appropriate rough opening.

Step 2: Scribe Your Arch

Using a sturdy substrate, like plywood or MDF sheet goods, scribe your arch using your design concept and the measurements of the rough opening. There are several ways to do this: you can use a pencil, string, and a screw, or a large compass to trace the radius. The centre point of your radius will determine the type of arch you create. For example, for a high arch – half of a circle – you will place the centre point at the centre of a circle, which fits within the dimensions of the rough opening, and trace the arch. You can increase the radius length or move the centre point closer to the top of the rough opening for lower arches.

Step 3: Cut the Arch

Using a jigsaw or keyhole hand saw, cut out the arch. The substrate will be flat at the top with 90-degree angles at each side and an arch at the bottom. Using the first arch as a template, cut a second one.

Step 4: Assemble the Rough Arch

Sandwich the two arched pieces of sheet material between blocks of framing material (e.g., 2” x 4” or whatever will work best for the depth of your opening) on each end and along the top. On the bottom, insert small blocks at even intervals along the length of the arch for structural support.

Step 5: Install the Arch

Insert the assembly into the rough opening and fasten it to the rough opening frame. Ensure the entire assembly fits flush with the face of the framing for smooth drywall installation.

Step 6: Install Drywall

Install drywall over the framed arch and cut out the arch. Cut a strip of drywall to the depth of the arch assembly for the underside. Score the back of the drywall strip at ½” intervals to create a flexible band of drywall to secure to the bottom of the arch. Install drywall on the remaining frame. Use flexible corner beads to finish the arch and regular corner beads for the sides before applying drywall compound, then sand, prime, and paint.

Nailed It! Arched Like a Pro

There you have it, an arch well done! No matter your design style, you can't go wrong with a simple but beautiful arch doorway in your home. It's a great way to elevate your home and add architectural interest. We hope you found this article helpful. For further assistance with your DIY drywall arch project, swing by to pick up any supplies and speak with a representative if you need additional advice.