Drywall arch: how to do it yourself, step by step instructions and photos, interior manufacturing. Do-it-yourself drywall arch: step by step instructions How to cut a drywall arch correctly

]]> ]]> The arch is an effective and very common way to enliven the interior, bring freshness and non-originality into it. A beautiful arch will emphasize the beauty of your home, make it original. A huge variety of forms and extraordinary visual solutions inspire many to the idea of ​​​​making an arch on their own, and here the search for information begins on the topic: how to make an arch with your own hands.
Even such seemingly complex drywall constructions can be done by yourself.

Even such seemingly complex drywall constructions can be done by yourself.

In fact, it is not difficult, the main thing is to come up with what kind of arch you want, prepare everything necessary tools, choose material read how to make an arch with your own hands and get down to business! It is worth noting that the simplest and most reliable option is a drywall arch. It is easy to build even the most intricate curves from this material - it behaves like clay in the hands of a talented sculptor. Drywall does not need serious processing, and if you work with it carefully, you can easily give it the desired shape. You can also make an arch of concrete or brick, but this will require more patience and certain skills from you.

We make arches from drywall

If you already know how to make an arch with your own hands, moreover, you decided to make it right now, then your house will become cozier very soon. Today we will make a drywall arch, telling you step by step about the entire production process.

We start with the purchase of drywall - it is inexpensive, and this is another advantage of it. Everyone can buy drywall, because today this material is not in short supply, therefore, it can be purchased at any hardware store. When choosing drywall for your arch, remember that the thickness of the sheet at different points in the structure will be different.

For example, the lower part is made of sheets with a thickness of 9 millimeters, the side parts must be thicker - at least 12 millimeters. We have indicated the most common ratios, but you can also create your own masterpiece, unlike others.

It is important to take correct measurements.

After the drywall is purchased, you can proceed to the first stage of the production of our arch. And it begins with the preparation of a place for attaching the arch. For these purposes, it is advisable to use a special profile (as a variant of PN 28/27), which is attached with dowels or self-tapping screws to the doorway. We drill end holes, hammer plastic dowels into them for screwing in screws, thereby strengthening this part in the opening.

The dimensions of your arch will depend on the opening that you want to decorate in this way. You can cut out all the drawn elements of this design using a special knife or a jigsaw (the second option is faster and more accurate). Cut out the drawn semicircle. We cut out the second semicircle according to the template - we apply the cut out part to a new sheet and outline the outline. From the remaining material, cut out a strip, the width of which is slightly larger than the width doorway and longer than the opening of the arch itself. To prevent the destruction of the plate, and the cut turned out to be neat, we recommend using a special blade for the jigsaw.

For a beginner this process it can be overwhelming work, but it's worth a try, even if the first attempts are not successful. Now the elements of your arch should be given flexibility - for this we process them with a damp cloth. After such a procedure, it will be easier to attach them to the end arched element and subsequently bend the necessary parts. Next, we apply the finished part to the arch frame and fix it with self-tapping screws (it is better to do fastenings at least every 15 centimeters). We do the same with the second part.

A very important point: when screwing in the screws, make sure that their heads are slightly recessed into the panel. You can also fix the details on the profile on both sides of the arch. Make sure that the distance of the two sides between the profiles matches exactly, otherwise the manufactured arch will look uneven. Having firmly fixed the arched structure, we proceed to the final stage of our work. We carefully process the edges of the structure with a perforated corner, and cover the seams with reinforcing tape and apply putty on them. Next, you can do exterior trim arches - this is a real scope for fantasy!

Make your interior arch a harmonious part of the interior

With the help of decor, you can emphasize the style of your home and make the arch a "highlight" of the interior.

Slowly, we have come to the end of work with our arch. But in order for the arch in the apartment to turn out not only beautiful, but really even, you need to know some of the nuances of working with drywall. We will talk about them further.
The subtleties of working with drywall

The material must be given flexibility, for this it can be slightly moistened, then allowed to dry thoroughly. It is necessary to fasten the strip to the profiles located at the end, repeating the bend of the arch. After the drywall dries out (after 10-12 hours), putty the resulting structure, as well as all existing seams and joints. Pay attention that the screws are not touched. After the structure has dried, carefully sand all the elements until the burrs are completely removed and the protrusions are rounded.

You already know how to make an arch in an apartment with your own hands, but how to make it perfectly even? In order to give it a mirror proportionality, it is necessary to take care of creating optimal conditions: prepare the necessary tools, take care of good lighting. For safety reasons, use gloves and goggles. Professionals installing interior arches always take care of the comfortable conditions of their work, perhaps this (and considerable work experience) is the secret of their success. So become a real professional for your home, create a stunning arch with your own hands. Now your house will have a wonderful source of pride, which you can not only surprise your friends, but also admire every day.

Enjoy the fruits of your labor

How to make an arch with your own hands

With the beginning of the era of renovations, homeowners took a different look at their home. Everyone is pretty fed up with the dark corridors with many battened down doors, like in the good old communal apartments. Increasingly, people are abandoning door frames and canvases that separate rooms, more and more often, when repairing, we leave open openings, which makes it possible to visually enlarge the interior space, highlight separate zones.

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Few are satisfied with strict rectangular shapes(although, of course, there are lovers of straight lines), as a rule, the opening takes on the rounded outlines of arches of a wide variety of configurations. When an arch is made with your own hands, you need to pay close attention to the technological aspects of installation.

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Despite the fact that the arch can be made based on plastering technologies, in most cases drywall is used here. It should be noted that this popular material is revealed in all its glory when arranging arches.

To say that the accuracy and reliability of the installation of a plasterboard arch structure is a defining moment for achieving the desired result means to say nothing. Correcting a crooked arch with subsequent putty can be very difficult. Drywall workers perform this element in different ways, there are several technically correct options, but not everyone manages to avoid common mistakes, which seriously affect the subsequent finishing. There are several problems, here are the main ones:
1.) The outer corners of the arch are "not parallel" (if I may say so about non-straight lines).
2.) A clear radius is not obtained.
3.) Cracks appear at the junction of drywall to the main wall.

The first question is solved by quality training"bare opening", when it is plastered before starting work, achieving parallelism and sheerness of all lines, working out angles strictly at 90 degrees.

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This allows you to prepare two absolutely identical sheets with the desired cutout on the workbench, and then simply fix them in the design position. Some masters first fix rectangular sheets of drywall in place, and then, after carefully marking, cut out the given radii and tie the structure with a metal frame.

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Problems with radii usually arise when sheathing the lower part of the arch. Sometimes a UD profile cut with a grinder is incorrectly screwed along the edge of the sheet, the main thing here is that the metal does not protrude. Sometimes it is not possible to bend a strip of gypsum with high quality, especially at small radii. Even if the treatment with a spiked roller and subsequent moistening does not give a result (drywall breaks), then parallel cuts 4-5 cm wide can be made on the back side of the dry strip.

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Arched (or “restoration”) 6 mm drywall, unfortunately, is too expensive, and its quality has been a little lame lately, but there are more than enough wall trimmings during repairs.

Cracks near the arch are a real scourge, especially if the decoration is dominated by painting. Cracking on the plane of the wall is very common when the gypsum board adjoins the mineral base end-to-end.

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Therefore, many installers (if possible) dismantle the plaster near the opening and attach the sheets to the wall (100-150 mm), while using Perlfix glue, plus fix this place with dowels “through the body”. If the small thickness of the plaster does not allow such a maneuver to be performed, and the docking takes place in one plane, then the problem area is glued to the base with glue for drywall (“bloopers” from the inside).

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The second delicate point is the adjoining of a narrow hemming strip to the slopes of the opening, it is also better to use glue here, we apply it immediately before screwing the drywall.

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When the arch is mounted and thoroughly dried (if you moistened the gypsum), you can set the perforated corners. For this, there are special arched specimens made of plastic or aluminum. Among the painters there are ardent adherents of one of the two options, but they are both suitable. The main thing is that the perforated corner on the arch and on the right vertical corner of the opening should be of the same type, then there will be no questions about the correspondence (or rather, discrepancy) of the shape of the rib.

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The most important task is to correctly set the perforated corner, while not “breaking” the radius. It is very convenient to use a drywall template for these purposes, it can be made separately, or you can use the counterpart that remains after cutting the radius. It is better to fix the perforated corner with a stapler, many painters use carnations / self-tapping screws, which are removed as they are puttied.

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After installing the perforated corners, it follows with a dense nylon mesh-serpyanka (it is sold in meter rolls) to reinforce problem areas - the junction of the GKL to the mineral base. It will not be superfluous to continuously glue a curved, and even more so a notched plasterboard strip. Please note that the mesh must be embedded in a pre-applied layer of putty, and not just covered.

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Now you can begin to broach the zones near the punched corners. It is best to use a strong putty designed for sealing plasterboard joints, for example, Fugenfüller from Knauf. Perforated corners usually move the plane away from the base by 2.5-5 mm, so it is convenient to level the mass between them with a spatula with a hard cloth or a small rule.
arch alignment

Many painters for such purposes cut short rules from an ordinary aluminum trapezoid. After the base layer has dried, we cover the entire structure with a finishing putty.

Some difficulties arise when grouting a curved surface. An ordinary flat block will not work, so it is worth making a rounded or elastic abrasive holder, for example, from a piece of dense rubber. You need to skin mainly with longitudinal movements, to the state of "under the wallpaper." Do not forget to prime all putty surfaces.

The finishing of the arches is carried out using various technologies, ranging from lining with wild stone and decorative plaster, ending with wallpaper for painting. If there is a desire to get a smooth painted surface, then it is better to first paste over the arch with fiberglass using PVA. The same applies to thin-layer plasters. If we talk about wallpapering and painting directly, then these technologies in relation to arches do not differ much from the work on slopes, which we have already discussed in one of the previous articles.

Finally, I would also like to note that the opening, due to the high traffic, is subject to mechanical damage, therefore, quite often its outer corners, including arched ones, are covered with protective overhead parts - stripes, corners, dense polyurethanes.

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Do-it-yourself arch for beginners

The ability of drywall panels to easily bend has become the reason for the emergence of fashionable interior design using curved surfaces. In some rooms connected to each other by a door, the doorway remains open all the time, that is, the door is not used.

In this case, the best option the use of space becomes getting rid of the door and decorating the opening with an arch. Often, when starting repairs, homeowners believe that such a reconstruction will cost too much, but they don’t know how to make an arch with their own hands without resorting to the services of craftsmen, although the technology for such work is not too complicated.

Any person with minimal home repair experience can cope with such work as making a drywall arch. First of all, it must be borne in mind that in order to decorate the doorway with an arch, it must be at least two meters high. Otherwise, the arch will only worsen appearance premises. You should know that the greater the height of the arched opening, the more attractive it looks.

If the height of the opening is insufficient, then before you make an arch with your own hands, you will have to increase it by gouging upper part. Now you should decide on the design of the arch. Arched structures are divided into two classes - classic arches that look like half a circle, and arches that are half an ellipse. The first option is used to design high openings, and the second class is more suitable for doorways having a considerable width.

Before you make a drywall arch, you should prepare necessary materials and tools.

The main necessary materials for work:

  1. drywall 10-12 mm thick
  2. metal profile PN 28/27
  3. self-tapping screws for metal
  4. dowels for fixing the profile

The main tools needed for the job:

The process of creating a drywall arch

Work begins with cutting a blank for a future arch. Having determined its shape and dimensions, we mark drywall with any convenient way. Having marked the trim line, cut out the outline with a hacksaw.

If there is a jigsaw in the home workshop, then this process will be much more convenient and faster. Using the finished blank as a template, cut out another one identical to the first. Then we prepare a strip of drywall for the end of the arch. In order to give it the necessary shape, lightly moisten the front side of the strip and gently bend it.

Now, with the help of dowels, we attach profiles to the door opening, not forgetting that it should be positioned in such a way that the plane of the arch coincides with the plane of the wall. We are preparing a profile designed for the end part of the arch. So that the profile can be bent, after 3-5 cm we cut grooves in two of its walls. Then we bend it according to the template and attach it to the side profile.

It remains to cut off the extra corners at the side parts of the profile and attach the drywall blanks to their places with self-tapping screws. We can assume that the task of how to make a drywall arch with your own hands has been solved. It remains only to putty the seams, previously pasted over with reinforcing tape.

Master of Architecture, graduated from the Samara State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering. 11 years of experience in design and construction.

In an effort to move away from generally accepted standards and give elegance to the interior, the owners of apartments and country houses change the usual doors to arches. This is no longer a new, but to this day a popular design highlight. The arch in the doorway is bought ready-made or made by hand. It comes in a variety of configurations, so it allows you to realize any idea.

Forms of arched openings

Interior door arches are selected not only based on taste preferences, but also depending on certain parameters: ceiling height and. The structures are made of drywall, wood, MDF, PVC. Drywall is the easiest to work with as it is the most flexible material.

Currently there are a large number of different types arches that vary in shape. The most common are:

Arched openings also have various designs and on the basis of this are divided into several varieties:


After looking closely at your interior and choosing the right arch model, you can begin the phased work.

Step-by-step instructions for self-production

To avoid wasting money on finished goods, finishing the arched opening can be done by yourself. To do this, you need to follow a well-established scheme.

Making the necessary measurements

Any construction process requires accuracy, which is achieved by preliminary measurements. You need to start from the opening itself, so first measure its width and height. The size of the span between the walls of the opening is equal to the width of the arch. In order to make a semicircle as accurately as possible, this indicator must be divided by two.

Before making the arch, you need to decide on its future configuration. If you are going to do it in classical style, then pre-align the walls. Otherwise, the design will look ugly. You can remove all defects from a vertical surface with putty or plaster using beacons.

Creating a Structural Frame

To make the installation of the frame, you must perform a series of sequential steps:

  1. A contour of a metal profile is screwed along the lines of the opening with dowels. Vertical guides are set indented from the surface of the interior wall. The size of the indent is equal to the thickness of the drywall sheet and the plaster layer (about 0.2 cm).
  2. We install two such profiles parallel to each other on each side.

    For the frame device, two profiles are installed in parallel

  3. Having finished working with the profiles, we take up the installation of the first sheet of drywall. If its thickness is 1.25 cm, then it is recommended to fasten it with 3.5x35 self-tapping screws. If the GKL thickness is not more than 0.95 cm, use smaller screws.

    Drywall fixed with self-tapping screws

  4. Sheathe the second side of the frame with drywall.

  5. Make a metal profile in the shape of an arc. To do this, cut the side walls of the profile with special scissors every 7 centimeters. As a result of these actions, it is easier for him to give the required shape. For an arched structure, two such blanks are required.

    An arched arc is made from the profile

  6. Install and fasten the arcuate profiles to the main part of the frame.

    The arcuate profile is attached to the main part of the frame

  7. In order for the arcs to be securely fixed, they are attached with suspensions to a straight guide located on top. The number of hangers depends on the width of the opening. Usually three pairs are enough.

  8. In increments of 0.4-0.6 m, attach reinforcing crossbars along the perimeter of the frame, fixing them on the guides of the two contours.
  9. As a result of the above actions, a reliable metal structure in the form of an arch comes out of the profile. In the future, it will be covered with plasterboard or plywood.

If it is assumed that the columns of the arches will not be too large in thickness, then it is permissible to change 2 arcs to a wide profile. Cutting and bending is done in exactly the same way. Only in this case, the installation of crossbars is not required.

Sometimes wooden slats are used instead of a metal profile. The technology of mounting the frame does not change significantly.

Bending drywall sheet

After installing the frame, they are accepted for bending the GKL. Experts recommend using drywall, designed specifically for arched structures. It easily takes the desired shape if the material is washed in the longitudinal direction.

If you decide to use ordinary drywall, then you will have to tinker with it. The installation element is cut to the desired size in the form of a rectangle. Bend it in two ways: wet and dry.


Scheme for manufacturing a bend

The wet method takes a lot of time and is not rushed. So that the material does not crack when bent, it is moistened with water and punctures are made. In this form, the drywall sheet is left to lie for some time, and then it is bent on a template of the desired configuration.

The dry method refers to the application of cuts parallel to each other on the wrong side of the GKL. The cut goes deep into the sheet, affecting the outer cardboard layer and gypsum. A layer of cardboard front side remains intact.

With the dry method, the bend of the installation element takes the correct shape. At the same time, it is important to know that sawing GKL is best done with a jigsaw, and not with a hacksaw. Then the edges will not be torn.

Rough frame trim

If the bend was carried out by the wet method, then first of all it is necessary to wait until the drywall sheet is completely dry. The material is fixed first with adhesive tape, and then with self-tapping screws. The minimum step between them should be from 5 to 6 centimeters.


Perforated corner prevents edge chipping

After fixing the edge trim drywall sheet are cleared. And in order to prevent chipping of the curved edge, a perforated plastic corner is installed on it.

Leveling with putty

To make the surface even, you need to finish the arched structure. To begin with, a primer is applied, and after it dries, putty. Fiberglass mesh is used to reinforce the second layer and strengthen the corners..


Fiberglass mesh reinforces the corners of the arch

The last third layer of putty is applied to the grid. After about 10 hours, it dries up, after which you can start cleaning up the bumps with sandpaper. With a quality work done, the surface will be without roughness, irregularities, and the caps of the self-tapping screws will not be visible in it.

Ways to finish arches

Those who wish to finish the arches on their own will have to work hard, cutting out each detail separately. However, many do not look for difficulties and choose a simple path - they acquire factory structures from prefabricated elements.

Ready-made and prefabricated linings

There are two types of factory-made overlay: wooden and foam.

Styrofoam elements

Foam arches are often preferred as an alternative to plaster products. The advantages of such structures are as follows:

  1. Fast installation. The installation speed is much higher than arched structures made of plywood or plasterboard.
  2. Low price.
  3. Easy transportation. Styrofoam is a fairly light material, so you do not need to hire movers to deliver the product to your home.
  4. Light weight. Arches of this type can be installed even on very weak structures.
  5. Various forms.

Foam arches are assembled from prefabricated elements and cut in place to fit the size of the opening

The negative sides of the arched foam structure are: fragility, toxicity, rapid flammability.

Wood elements

Wooden arched structures do not require advertising. They look rich and rarely do not fit any interior style. However, it should be understood that the word "wooden" does not mean that all components are made of pine, oak or other wood.


The arch can be made of natural wood, MDF, chipboard or plywood

Arched elements are also made from inexpensive MDF, laminated chipboard, plywood, veneered. The desired option is selected individually based on the taste and thickness of the wallet.

Wooden elements are ordered from a catalog and then cut to length before installation.

Mounting wooden structures simple to do. In hardware stores, arches are sold both assembled and disassembled. The first option is considered more reliable, since the work was performed by a specialist.

Decorating with finishing materials

Currently, there are many ways to beautifully and neatly. The decor is selected so that it is in harmony in color, texture, material with the home environment. The most popular options are:

  1. Simple staining. The arch will look elegant and complete if it is simply painted white, brown or to match the walls. This finish is often complemented decorative elements, backlit.

    Monochrome painting looks advantageous in combination with backlighting

  2. Wallpapering. This is the fastest, most affordable and easy process. For these purposes, vinyl or non-woven options are best suited.

    Slopes highlighted with wallpaper - a very stylish design move

  3. Finishing with wooden, plastic clapboard. The method guarantees not only a beautiful aesthetic appearance, but also ensures the durability of the structure, its protection from moisture and mechanical damage.

    The clapboard option is great for interiors with wall decoration from the same material.

  4. Decorative plaster. The surface of the arch is beautiful, embossed and durable. True, such a finish needs to be restored sometimes, and it requires some care.

    This method looks especially advantageous in deep arches.

  5. A rock. Arch in a house made of natural or artificial stone installed only with the help of a professional. Finishing fascinates the eye, makes the interior unusual.

    The ragged edges of the arch can be the highlight of any interior.

  6. Cork- it is quite expensive, but environmentally friendly material. It is easily susceptible to mechanical damage, therefore, to extend its service life, it is recommended to cover the cork with wax.

    Cork finish brings a sense of environmental friendliness and comfort to the interior



During the repair or redevelopment of an apartment, the owners often wonder how to do it with their own hands in the doorway. After all, this is such an elegant and practical solution that you can’t imagine better.

But before you figure out how to make an arch in the house, you should understand what style prevails in your room and choose the style of the arch accordingly.

There are several types of interior arches:

  • classic;
  • modern;
  • romance;
  • ellipse;
  • trapezoid;
  • portal.

Below is what these types look like. From the pictures you can already roughly understand how to make an interior arch.

But do not rush without understanding all the intricacies of how to make an arch yourself.

The arch can be made in the wall or in. Making a doorway in the form of an arch is subject to almost everyone, we will talk about this in detail later.

But in the wall you should not do the arch on your own. The reason is simple: if you do not have the appropriate education or the skills to properly chisel walls and understand how to make an arch in the wall, you will spend extra time and money. Since in order to then correctly redo the arch, you will have to hire specialists.

You may want to make an arch in a load-bearing wall. This can be done, but remember that any openings in load-bearing walls, must be performed by workers of certified firms that have SRO approval.

Master class on making plasterboard arches

Since the most commonly used material in the manufacture of arched structures is drywall, the master class will be devoted to the question of how to make a drywall arch. Stages:

  1. Take drywall and cut two identical rectangles to fit the opening. Carefully tighten them together with the help of self-tapping screws.
  2. Putting these sheets on a flat surface, find the middle and draw a line.
  3. Measure from the edges of the "compass" 8-10 cm and draw a semicircle between the marks.
  4. Cut the workpiece with an electric jigsaw.
  5. Attach the resulting sides of the arch to the opening.
  6. Inside the acre, fasten the UD profile and pieces of drywall. There must be emphasis.
  7. Cut pieces of drywall along the inner width. Width should be 10 cm.
  8. Dilute the drywall adhesive and glue the pieces of drywall inside the arch so that they do not protrude beyond.
  9. Glue aluminum corners along the vertical sides of the arch and arched corners on top. Thus we see how to make a frame for the arch.
  10. The question of how to make an arch with illumination is a separate one. This point needs to be considered in advance. The arch inside should be left a little hollow, and not completely laid with pieces of drywall. In this cavity you need to put the wiring. In the places where the lamps are installed, cut holes of the desired shape and size, depending on which bulbs will be installed there. Holes need to be cut after the final finishing of the arch. Otherwise, they will not exactly correspond to the plane, and there may be a problem when puttying the arch.

If you have planned the transformation of your home, then do not rush to break the walls, knead the mortar and bring in the bricks. These heavy and dirty works can be successfully replaced by the construction drywall constructions. Currently, drywall or plasterboard is the most popular material for interior decoration. Thanks to him, you can make antique columns or pilasters, two and three-tier ceilings, decorate an opening in the form of an arch, and much more. In this article, we will talk about how to make a drywall arch with your own hands. The information presented in it will help you understand what the task is and how to implement it.

For many years, drywall has been used to carry out finishing work in the shortest possible time. Its demand among consumers is explained by a number of positive properties:

High level of noise absorption.

  • Thermal neutrality.
  • Environmental friendliness.
  • No unpleasant odor.
  • Ability to maintain optimal humidity conditions.
Note! GKL is based on a gypsum mixture with additives, and on the outside it is pasted over with high-strength paper.

Before you make an arch, you should draw a drawing of it, as well as an estimate of materials. It is also important to choose the right type of GKL. The material is produced under different brands depending on its size and purpose:

  1. GKL with a thickness of 12.5 mm, a width of 1200 mm and a length of 2000 mm is the standard version of drywall, which is in the greatest demand.
  2. GKL with a thickness of 6–8 mm is used for the manufacture of curved structures, for example, arches of complex shape.
  3. VGKL is an abbreviation for moisture-resistant drywall used in rooms with high humidity e.g. in the bathroom and kitchen.
  4. GKLO is the designation of refractory drywall.
  5. GKLVO is a moisture resistant / fireproof drywall.

Before you start the process of building an arch from GKL, decide on its design. It depends on how the door arch and the sequence of technical work will ultimately look.

Arches are of the following types:

  1. Symmetrical domes are classics of the genre. They are easy to make, and such designs will fit into absolutely any interior, regardless of the style of its execution.
  2. Asymmetrical with off center. This is an economy option. Such arches are universal and will also find their place in any interior concept.
  3. Gothic arches are made in the form of spiers that converge in the central parts of the structures at a small plane angle.
  4. Multilevel - their construction requires skills in working with GKL.
  5. Openwork - their feature is the presence of through holes running along the line of the doorway.
Note! Before deciding on a design, make sure your doorway is at least two meters high. The arched structure will lower the opening by some distance and therefore it is important that it is high enough initially.

First, take measurements of the width and height of the doorway. As mentioned above, its height must be at least 2 m. The width of the arch will be equal to the width of the opening. Measure it and cut it in half. This figure will help you to make a perfect semicircle in the future.

Note! The walls must be strictly vertical. This can be checked using the building level. Otherwise, the arch will look ridiculous. If necessary, you can level the bumps with putty or plaster.

Before starting work, you should collect all the necessary equipment. From the materials you will need:

  • GKL with a thickness of 6.5 mm and 12 mm.
  • Guide U-shaped profiles: for straight elements, a rack profile 60 × 27 mm, for an arch contour - a guide profile 28 × 27 mm.
  • Short self-tapping screws for metal and special ones designed for fixing plasterboards.
  • Wood screws and nylon dowels for installing the frame on the walls.
  • To strengthen the edge of the arch - arched reinforced corners.
Note! The calculation of the amount of materials is carried out based on the size of the arch.

A set of tools should immediately be at hand when carrying out work, so prepare in advance:

  • metal scissors;
  • drill with a bat / screwdriver ;
  • pencil and tape measure;
  • sharp knife;
  • building level;
  • jigsaw;
  • perforator with a drill.

This article will consider two types of frame and their installation - metal and wood. This will allow you to choose best option designs.

To do wooden frame under a drywall arch you should purchase wooden blocks and plywood. Then take measurements of the doorway, subtract the thickness of plywood and drywall from it. So, you will be able to determine the thickness of the wooden bars. After that, you will need to draw an arc of the future arch on the plywood.

It's easy to do. Mark the middle of the plywood sheet and the height of the arch. Screw a self-tapping screw into the lower center point of the plywood, tie a rope to it along the height of the arch, and tie a pencil to the end. Draw a line with a pencil. After, along this line, you can cut out the shape of the arch, using an electric jigsaw in this process.

Next, using self-tapping screws 5 cm long, fasten the bars on the plywood, which will play the role of the frame of the structure. After that, fix the arch in the doorway with long self-tapping screws. The frequency of screwing screws - every 15 cm.

Note! By the same principle, another part of the arch frame should be made. After that, the structure must be sheathed with GKL. In this case, drywall is fixed with self-tapping screws for plasterboard.

Metal carcass. step by step

The following is step-by-step instruction manufacturing a frame from guide profiles:

  1. After measuring the opening, measure the same width of drywall. Cut it off. Draw a knife along the marked line 2-3 times, turn the sheet over and break it along the cut, cut off the excess. To make the edge even, apply a level / rule / profile to it when marking. Two identical sheets should be prepared.
  2. Lay the sheet on the floor, make a mark in the center and draw a vertical line. A few centimeters above the bottom edge of the intended line, screw in the self-tapping screw. Now you need to prepare a cord equal to the height of the arch + loop allowances. Attach a pencil to one loop, and tie the other to a self-tapping screw. This way you will be able to draw the radius of the arch. It is better not to make a sharp bend, otherwise you may have problems installing the arched drywall.
  3. Cut drywall along the radius. Then place another blank under the already cut sheet, circle the radius contour. Cut along the curve. This can be done with a jigsaw / hacksaw with a fine tooth.
  4. Now you should cut off the guide profile. To do this, use scissors for metal. These profiles will serve as a frame for fixing the drywall in the opening.
  5. The guides are attached 1.5 cm from the edge of the wall. This is due to the thickness of the plasterboard - 1.2 cm + a few millimeters of the arched corner. When mounting the frame, it would be good to use 6 mm nylon dowels and wood screws - 3.5 × 41 mm.
  6. Make holes with a 6 mm drill bit every 30-40 cm. The depth of the holes is about 5 cm.
  7. To speed up the workflow for screwing the guides, use a screwdriver / electric screwdriver.
  8. Then screw onto the installed GKL frame. In this case, use self-tapping screws for metal having a size of 3.2 × 25 mm. The panel is fixed to the rails every 10–15 cm. In this case, the caps of the self-tapping screws should be slightly recessed into the drywall.
  9. The interior arch is already becoming more obvious. Now you should measure the circumference of the arch, and then cut the profile according to the measurements. It is necessary for the assembly of the internal frame. However, it must first be bent in the shape of an arch.
  10. To bend the guide profile, cuts should be made on its edges. The frequency of cuts is every 7 cm. After these steps, the profile will easily take the shape you need.
  11. The curved profile must be screwed on the back side of the drywall edge along the radius of the arch with metal screws. You should end up with two identical guides on the inside of the arch.
  12. Measure the distance between the guides. In accordance with these dimensions, cut out jumpers from the rack profile. The quantity is determined by the size of the arch. Jumpers should be fixed every 10-14 cm.
  13. After fixing the jumpers, measure the width and circumference of the arched bend. In accordance with this measurement, you need to cut a strip of arched plasterboard.
  14. Now it's time to shape the stripe. To do this, slightly wet it with water. Go over the sheet with a notched roller and curve the drywall. Do not abuse the flexibility of a wet workpiece, so as not to render it unusable.
  15. It remains to fix the curved drywall to the arch with metal screws. The distance between the screws is 5–7 cm.

Photo instruction

The steps for making a drywall arch are provided in a photo collage:

On the example of a simple symmetrical domed arch, you got acquainted with the technology of its manufacture. But what if you want to show great originality and make, for example, a structure of complex shape in the hall? To do this, you need to take into account some nuances. After reading the instructions below, you can make an arch of any shape.

  • Before you think over the design of the arch, decide on the place of its installation. It will be in the corridor, in the kitchen, etc. It is important here that the arch does not deprive the house / apartment of functionality, but, on the contrary, contributes to it, gives good mood. We will now consider decorative design, which is only partly an arch.
  • Use a building level / plumb line to beat off the line on the wall. A wall / arch will be located along it. Install the profile along this line to the wall and ceiling. Then screw a suitable drywall sheet onto the resulting L-shaped frame.
  • Draw a shape on it with a pencil. Cut along this line with a jigsaw.
  • Install the second GKL in the same way. The distance from one sheet to another will depend on how thick you want to make the structure.
  • A metal profile should be attached around the perimeter of the resulting shape. How to bend it was described in the previous subsection. To make the design reliable, screw the profile onto a sufficient number of metal screws.
  • Now you need to sheathe the figure with a strip of arched drywall. Cut the strip to the desired length. You already know how to shape this arch element from the previous subsection.

The principle of constructing a curly arch / wall is the same as the technology for manufacturing a symmetrical structure. Apply a little imagination, follow the technology described in the article and you will be able to do everything yourself.

Agree, the arch, sheathed with drywall, does not have an aesthetically attractive appearance. So it's time to start finishing arches. First, glue all the drywall joints with fiberglass mesh. Then, in linear movements, apply several layers of putty on it and sand the surface with sandpaper of different grain sizes. You don't need any special knowledge to complete this task.

Note! To be sure, once again check the quality of the structure - its symmetry (if we are talking about a symmetrical arch), reliability and rigidity. If everything is in order, then it's time to putty the surface of the arched structure.

To do this, purchase an acrylic-based putty for interior work at a hardware store. The seams should be treated with a more durable composition. So, you can prevent the possibility of cracks at the joints. You can mix the putty until smooth with an electric drill with a special mixer nozzle. Before mixing the dry mix, read the instructions for it from the manufacturer.

Note! To make the surface smooth, without defects, make sure that there are no pieces of plaster and scraps of paper left on the arch. Treat the caps of the self-tapping screws with putty.

All small defects on drywall, such as holes and dents, fill with putty. Smooth out the unevenness, and remove the remnants of the leveling mixture with a spatula. The surface you leveled should be flush with the rest of the arch and wall. These mistakes will be very difficult to correct later. Therefore, the issue of correcting defects should be taken seriously.

When all the seams and caps of the screws have been puttied and sanded, apply a thin layer of finishing putty to the arch. After it dries, go over the surface with fine-grained sandpaper. All bends of the arch should be perfectly even, and the lines should be smooth.

How to make an arch in a doorway - the choice of material

To create an arched structure, you can use any materials: brick, stone, wood, metal and plastic. The former are heavy and the latter are costly. The most popular and acceptable option is to install a drywall arch. It is a lightweight, environmentally friendly and practical building material.

This design has several advantages:

  • strength;
  • reliability;
  • simplicity.

Its installation is not accompanied by large-scale work with increased noise and high consumption. building material. It would not be superfluous to note the affordable cost of all building elements used in the installation of drywall arches and a huge assortment in every hardware store.

How to make an arch in a doorway - preparing the doorway

Having chosen the type of arch to be installed, you can proceed to the preparation of the opening. First you need to get rid of the installed structure, instead of which you want to build an arch. Remove the door and dismantle the door frame. For this purpose, you can use scrap and grinder. If the dimensions of the opening do not satisfy you, correct the situation. You can cut out part of the wall, or you can build a smaller structure by reducing the distance in the opening. The surface must be free of chips, dust and pieces of concrete. To protect against fungus and mold, treat the wall with antiseptic impregnation.


How to make an arch in a doorway - frame installation

The main frame of the arch is made from the guide profile. Pre-prepared strips must be attached parallel to each other on both sides and to the top of the opening. Drill holes in the ceilings with which you will fix the profile with dowels. Please note that you need to install the main frame with a retreat deep into the opening. The retreat should be equal to the thickness of the drywall sheet and putty. Surface way door arch will have one plane with overlaps.

To make the arcuate part of the frame, you will have to perform a “simple” manipulation: cut the side shelves of the profile and bend to the state of the arc. The cuts are made with a grinder or scissors at a distance of 50 millimeters from each other. We attach the resulting arcs with self-tapping screws to the main guides. Do-it-yourself drywall arch must be strong enough. To do this, you need to install stiffeners from the carrier profile.


How to make an arch in a doorway - an arched fragment of an arch

Using a tape measure, measure the length and width of the arc. Take a knife and cut out a piece of drywall that matches the dimensions. Now, to bend drywall, you can use 2 methods:

  • Wet it. Suitable for creating a slight bend.
  • We make cuts every 10 centimeters. Use a building level so that the cuts come out strictly perpendicular to the side edge.

Drywall must be turned upside down. Gently give it the desired shape. Be careful and drywall will quickly take shape. Start fixing from the top of the arch with self-tapping screws. Step by step, a drywall sheet will take on the intended shape.


How to make an arch in a doorway - decoration

The formed and puttied arch needs additional design:

  • Painting. Inner part painted with light colors.
  • Wallpapering over the arch. This is a simple and affordable way.
  • Polyurethane stucco finish. Skills will not be superfluous, but everything is quite simple, because all the elements are assembled and glued in stages. The assembly starts from the top of the arch. The side elements are adjusted to the required height.
  • Gypsum stucco decoration. The method is similar to the previous one, however, doing the work yourself, you risk making poor-quality seams and ruining the look.
  • masonry decorative stone. This work is best left to professionals.


Arched doorways give the design of the house a peculiar architectural charm. Arches are for visual magnification room space. Do the work with your own hands or turn to specialists - everyone decides for himself.