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How To Frame An Arched Doorway

Arch Framing
There are several ways to frame a wall with an arched opening. This picture shows a simple way to make a low cost arch. This arch will be covered with sheetrock. If you are going to use wood trim on the arch, there are sevaral companies that make custom arched trim with various radiuses for the arch.

There are simple and complex arches. A simple arch can be made at any radius using a long string with a marker on the end. A complex arch (which has a change in the radius) must be made with a template. The good news is once you have a good template, you can make multiple arches. The arch in my home is a simple arch made with only one radius that intersects a vertical wall at either side.

Many older home have arches that are made of a combination of 2 or 3 radiuses. The main radius is intersects 2 smaller radius that transition into the side walls. The radius of the arch in my home is around 12 feet and it looks nice. This has about a 8 inch change in height for a 8 foot wide opening. As the opening gets wider the radius should get greater to avoid bashing your head on the low points.

Once the arch in marked on the OSB or plywood, use a jig saw to follow the line. Cut 2 pieces and then cut 2x4 spacers the depth of the wall. Screw or nail the spacers in place. This sample shows where a gap was left for a recessed light. Once complete, the recessed light will really draw attention to the arch.


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