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I have searched the archives for instructions for building arched doorways
to no avail. Could anyone help me out? We would like an arched 8’wide
“doorway” into the den. We are skilled and tooled, but this is a new
project for us. Books, articles or web sites would be greatly appreciated.
Tha
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I assume you mean an arched
i opening.
Attached is a framing diagram, which is actually for a load bearing wall, but if it isn't load bearing, the framing is still similar.
The real trick is the finishing. If the opening is to be cased, my lumber yard has a service where they have a guy who comes out and measures the completed arch and then makes arched 1by material and curved casing molding - not cheap. The way I get it, the arched casing comes in a total of 4 pc - 2 pc per side. This means there is going to be a butt joint at the top of the opening. A nice little detail is to make a wood "keystone" block to go where the 2 casing pieces would otherwise butt at the top center.
If you want to wrap the opening with drywall, and if it is a standard 2x4 wall with ½" sheetrock (4 ½" thick) drywall supply houses sell a flexible plastic piece that is attached to the arched opening after drywall is applied to the walls. It's attached with spray glue and forms the curve. It's like a ~4 ½" wide plastic strip, with an integral corner bead on each side. If it is not a standard 2x4 wall, search the archives for "bending drywall" and good luck. You will be using a flexable plastic corner bead in this later case.
*Carole, if you're trimming with sheetrock, check here:Good luck, Steve
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Carole,
Outwater (www.outwater.com) sells pre-fabed archways. check out the web site or get a free catgalog. looks pretty easy to do.
Ed
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Carole,
It's simple. Cut a piece of 3/4" plywood to the exact width of the opening and about two feet tall. Actually, cut two.
Trace the arc you want on the plywood and cut them. Rip 2x stock down to 1-1/2" less than the width of the wall framing. Fit a top and sides to one piece of the sandwich. Cut a bunch of three or four inch blocks and nail them along the curve of the arch. So that their flat faces are running tangent to the curve. Slip the open sandwich into the opening, making sure you're tight at the top corners and flush down the sides, nail the top and sides to wall framing. Apply the other piece of plywood. If you don't have a nail gun, use a screw gun with 1-3/4" drywall screws. You'd go crazy trying to hand nail it.
As far as the drywalling goes, get one of these guys to do it...
Hope it helps,
Dan
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I have searched the archives for instructions for building arched doorways
to no avail. Could anyone help me out? We would like an arched 8'wide
"doorway" into the den. We are skilled and tooled, but this is a new
project for us. Books, articles or web sites would be greatly appreciated.
Tha