Avoid extending the arch down too far in your doorway since taller people may not be able to fit through it comfortably. Try to keep the top of your arch about 78–80 inches (200–200 cm) from the floor. [2] X Research source If you’re adding an arch to an existing door, remove the trim with a pry bar and take off the drywall around it to expose the frame. [3] X Expert Source Ryaan TuttleHome Improvement Specialist Expert Interview. 24 September 2021.
You can buy chalk lines from hardware or home improvement stores. If you don’t have a chalk line, you can also use a pencil and a straightedge to draw your lines. If you don’t want to draw or cut your own arches, you can buy a prefabricated kit that provides the pieces you need for your archway. Search for a kit that’s adjustable or matches the width of your doorway.
Double check your measurements to make sure they are accurate before moving on. That way, you can catch any errors before you make any cuts.
Tape measures have holes in the end so you can easily attach them to a nail. If your tape measure doesn’t have a hole in the end, then you can wrap a string around the nail instead.
Be gentle with the tape measure since it may still extend slightly if you pull on it hard enough. If you’re using a string instead of a tape measure, tie it to your pencil.
If you don’t have a jigsaw, you can try using a circular saw instead. [8] X Research source
Clamp the 2 pieces of plywood together if you need to make adjustments to both to ensure that they stay the same.
Cut down scrap pieces of 2 in × 4 in (5. 1 cm × 10. 2 cm) boards for your spacers so you don’t need to buy additional wood.
These boards allow you to easily attach the plywood to the door frame so your archway is flush with the rest of your wall.
If you don’t have a helper, use a nail gun to secure the arch in place. Be sure to wear safety glasses when using a nail gun.
You can buy sheets of drywall from a home improvement or hardware store. Wear safety glasses when you install drywall since the dust could get in your eyes.
You can buy a flush-cut saw from your local hardware store. You can also use a reciprocating saw to cut through the drywall faster if you want.
If the drywall doesn’t sit flush against the bottom of the arch, drive additional screws into the spacers in the middle of the archway.
You can buy drywall mud from your local home improvement store.
You can buy fiberglass netting from a local hardware store. If you can’t find any fiberglass netting, paper tape works as well.
Once you’ve finished applying drywall, you can paint the wall.
