How to create an indoor arch

Creating an archway through to another room will create a focus and lead the eye so it's great for aesthetics and style. This guide will teach you the steps involved and tell you what tools you'll need to build an internal archway.

Level of difficulty

Level 3: Advanced

What you need

  • Gloves
  • Goggles
  • Tape measure
  • Saw
  • Plywood
  • Bricks
  • Hammer
  • Nails
  • Mortar
  • Bricklaying trowel
  • Straight edge
  • Former

The stept to follow

  1. Cover your work area with a dust sheet.
  2. Wear your safety gears (goggles and gloves) before you start

Fitting the former

  1. Measure the area where you plan to build your indoor arch.
  2. Across the doorway opening, insert a batten across the doorway opening where you plan to build an indoor arch. The former will be attached to this batten so make sure that the batten is secured on the opening. You can also create your own former.
  3. Place the former to the batten and secure it with galvanized masonry nails. Use a spirit level to see if the former is level. Shim the former if needed.
  4. If you are using a mesh former, you'll need to cover the surface with plaster.
  5. Start working from the bottom to the top, use plaster trowel to spread a layer of metal-lathing plaster on the former.
  6. Wait for about 30 minutes for the plaster to harden and apply a coat of finishing plaster and a second coat.

Designing your own arch with plasterboard

  1. Draw your design on a piece of paper and transfer the design to the plasterboard.
  2. Cut the shape out with a saw.
  3. With the newly cut plasterboard, trace the shape onto a stainless steel wire mesh.
  4. Cut the arch shape with a pair of utility scissors.
  5. Secure the plasterboard over the framework.
  6. Lay the mesh on the plasterboard and secure it with pins.
  7. Apply a thin coat of plaster with a trowel. Wait until it dries to apply a second coat.
  8. Finish off by applying a coat of finish plaster.
  9. Let the plaster fully dry before you start decorating.

Note:
If you have to use bricks to build an arch, please refer to “How to create a brick arch”.

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