It often turns out that you don't need a door to a room, and you don't want to leave a rectangular doorway when entering a room either for a banal reason, it's not beautiful
... There are several decent solutions to this problem, for example, an arch or semi-arch with spot lighting
which will be further regulated by a dimmer (dimmer). Actually, the latter will be discussed.
Based on what you see and read here, it is possible, the work is essentially identical only to the material and will spend twice as much time. Here, how you like it more, you choose!
Draw the radius of the semi-arch.
Like any other repair business, this starts with the markup. We mark the indents for the profile, taking into account 12mm under the drywall sheet. You can mark it even better, mark it exactly so that the "gypsum" sticks out in relation to the total area of the walls on both sides by an insignificant difference of a couple of millimeters. Such a technique will then allow the wall to converge on the made decorative product flawlessly and in terms of level.
Any drywall construction, be it an arch or an ordinary one, is not complete without metal profiles. And the manufacture of a semi-arch is no exception here.
We fasten drywall blanks on both sides of the walls.
Fasten the dowel with 6x40mm metal profile nails along the entire junction of the semi-arch to the opening. I forgot to remind, before all of the above, it is necessary to conduct an electrician for spot lighting. Simply put, you need to lead two wires into the distribution box and connect them in such a way that by closing the wires in one place, electricity flows to the other wire (that is, to the incandescent lamp), I think everyone studied at school, you will figure it out.
So, the profile is shot. Now we cut off a piece of drywall to the width of the doorway and screw it to the place where the semi-arch has a curved radius. Pay attention to the photos.
Jumpers from the profile must be installed in such a way that in the future they do not interfere with the installation of spotlights.
You need to come up with an impromptu compass to outline the radius, it is also the main silhouette of the semi-arch. You can apply a piece of rope at the end by tying a pencil, pieces of a perforated corner are also suitable for this (its holes are great for fixing a pencil for different sizes of circles), I just took and screwed a piece of soft wire with a self-tapping screw on the drywall along the marked center and holding the pencil with my hand, drew a semicircle from edge to edge.
Remove the sheet and place it on two stools. The task is to cut everything exactly along the silhouette, the smoother the better. Therefore, I do not recommend, as usual, it is better to use a jigsaw or a special saw for these purposes. Try to cut carefully, in no case can you break the workpiece, otherwise draw everything again and try number two. Not sure if you can do it alone, it's better to call an assistant than to spoil the material and scratch back to the warehouse for a new one.
The frame structure must be rigidly and securely attached to the base.
The workpiece that has just been cut is turned over and lies on top of another piece of "gypsum", it is possible on the one that remained only on the reverse side. We circle like a template and again we cut into part of the sides of the semi-arch. I forgot to say that the entire structure in relation to the walls of the opening must be marked at least 6 cm, this distance is required for the width of two profiles in a row (each having 3 cm), well, you also need to hide somewhere.
We fasten both sawn-off workpieces on both sides of the opening with self-tapping screws for metal. Be sure to use a screwdriver with a Phillips bit, otherwise not how. Next, we collect the rest of the frame from the profile.
Pay attention to the self-made device, it is absolutely safer than a simple straight suspension, I recommend!
The difficulty of this work lies in the curved shape of the plasterboard structure. But in fact, I don’t see anything complicated here, it’s enough to know the technology of making bends on drywall and not crooked hands. I recommend that you familiarize yourself with this process.
Do not rush to drill holes for the lamps
, it is much more effective and it is also reasonable to do them later after or, for example.
Now, using a construction stapler, we install arched. Try very hard, the smoother they lie, the more attractive and natural your work will look.
In principle, the main thing has been done, it remains to level all sides with gypsum plaster and putty with a finishing putty. A small amendment and advice, if you want to decorate your arch with glass or other mosaics, then in the place where it will be better to level the area for laying it with tile glue, the solution must be diluted a little "liquid", it’s easier and better quality.
How to glue a plastic arched corner, anyway, at the end of the entire repair, you will have to glue it by closing the corners. Be aware that there are special plastic corners on sale under the arches, they are so arranged that without much effort they perfectly bend around any bends conceived in the design.
Letyaga Gennady Petrovich
Drywall is ideal for the embodiment of a wide variety of design ideas - from elementary structures to very complex and unique solutions. A semi-arch is one example of such an application, which is used to decorate interior and doorways or wall niches. A plasterboard semi-arch is rarely involved in framing windows, although if you are an ardent admirer of the architectural masterpieces of the great Antoni Gaudi, then why not.
In what cases is a drywall semi-arch installed?
Already from the name it becomes clear that this structure is a truncated arch - its top coincides with one of the supports, thus, only one corner is rounded or beveled in the opening.
The choice of such a form is due to the technical impossibility of implementing another solution, for example, for narrow or low openings, or an attempt to transform the space through visual effects. Another reason is associated with the desire of the owner to highlight the individuality and modernity of his home, to get away from the dull and boring standard geometric shapes that cause a feeling of discomfort.
A plasterboard semi-arch can be used to design openings connecting rooms, and for functional zoning of space. It will serve as a decoration for wall niches both with purely decorative functions (hiding utilities and protrusions of building structures) and having an independent applied purpose (a stand for vases and flowers, a part of a bedroom boudoir, a place for a TV or an aquarium, a fireplace, and so on).
The semi-arch is used to decorate openings, as well as zoning space
Design options
The appearance of a drywall semi-arch is distinguished by a wealth of potential styles and configurations, limited only by the imagination of the author.
The classic semi-arch has a perfectly round curve, while the romantic style looks like an almost straight line with a slight rounding at the end. An oval arch in the Art Nouveau style will look appropriate in a room of low height and perfectly combine with intricate decorative elements, stained-glass windows or panels. Semi-archways of an abstract or intricate figured shape, trapezoidal, with a barely noticeable rounding and a sharp bend, ending at floor level - it is impossible to enumerate all possible samples.
Columns can be used as real or imitation supports. Often, on the side of the main opening, through niches are made, equipped with shelves, as a result, a beautiful semi-arch-rack is obtained.
The choice of a specific option is influenced by:
- area and height of room ceilings;
- dimensions of the opening to be made;
- interior style;
- functional purpose of the room and semi-arch.
When making a choice, one should not only evaluate aesthetics and design, but also consider the convenience of movement. Semi-arches separating two different rooms are usually narrow, and dividing the space into functional areas, for example, separating the kitchen from the dining room, are much wider.
Work order
A do-it-yourself drywall semi-arcade is easily constructed with a little experience and some skills in working with this building material. The asymmetrical shape allows you to hide some deviations from the calculations, which would be impossible in the case of a full arch. Installation is also simpler compared to multi-level curved structures, so the task does not present any particular problems.
The semi-arch allows you to hide not only all external flaws, but also hides deviations from the calculations, which is not possible with a conventional arch
General scheme
The technological scheme for the construction of a semi-arch is in many ways similar to the installation of a plasterboard partition and includes the following main stages:
- frame assembly;
- sheathing the frame with plasterboard;
- sealing and reinforcing seams, reinforcing the ends and creating perfectly smooth edges using an L-shaped perforated profile;
- puttying of the surface;
- finishing.
Some features are associated only with the installation of the frame and bending of drywall, we will dwell on them in more detail.
Secrets of mounting the frame
Along the perimeter of the future semi-arch, rectilinear guides are installed. The lower ends of the vertical post profiles are cut obliquely to match the shape of the semi-arch. Lastly, the so-called snake is mounted - a curved-shaped guide profile, to which a curved plasterboard surface will subsequently be attached.
A curved profile for your semi-arch can be made to order, but usually this is a rather long and complicated process, so many people prefer to make it themselves
A curved profile can be made on a special machine in a production environment by placing an order at the factory for your size. Since this is a troublesome business, they often do the snake on their own. To bend the profile with metal scissors, U-shaped or V-shaped cuts are made on the side shelves every 30 - 50 mm. You can bend the profile in any direction. To give rigidity to the profile with a cutter, strips of a similar shape cut from a sheet of galvanized steel are attached.
Advice. To eliminate possible inconsistencies, it is recommended to install the snake not on the frame, but directly on the drywall along the edge of the bend before or even after attaching it to the frame.
With a large distance between the side surfaces of the semi-arch, both snakes are connected by transverse bridges for the rigidity of the frame.
Types of drywall used, bending methods and fastening features
Most of the questions regarding how to make a drywall semi-arch arise when the sheet is bent.
Although when erecting a semi-arch, you can use ordinary drywall, it is still better to take a special arched one, which is less thick and, accordingly, better flexibility, which makes it easy to take a curved shape. The thickness of the arched plasterboard manufactured by Knauf is 6.5 mm.
To create a semi-arch, you can use any drywall, but to facilitate the process, we advise you to take an arched one, it is thinner and more plaster
There are three ways to bend drywall:
- Dry method. Suitable for arched plasterboard or slightly curved structures. The bending is carried out when directly attached to the frame. Installation is carried out from one edge of the sheet to the other, sequentially and carefully fixing the drywall with self-tapping screws. To avoid breaking through the sheet, which tends to bend under the influence of internal stress, with the heads of the fasteners, self-tapping screws are installed through the washer. Two to three days later, after the shape of the sheet has stabilized and the tension has subsided, the washers can be removed.
- With moisturizing. It is used for sharp bending of the sheet. The method is based on the remarkable ability of drywall to become plastic when moisture picks up and restore its previous properties after drying, while maintaining its shape and strength characteristics. Initially, the sheet is rolled from the concave side with a special needle roller, then it is placed with the pricked side up on the supports from the profile and moistened with a roller, sponge, spray or brush for about 10 minutes, until the water stops absorbing. Moisture should not get to the other side of the sheet, otherwise the cardboard may break when bending. Plasterboard is laid on a special template that copies the bend of the frame, and bent, slowly and carefully pressing the edge of the sheet through the profile or bar to avoid breaking. Minimum bending radius: for drywall 12.5 mm - 1000 mm, for 9.5 mm - 500 mm, for 6.5 mm - 300 mm. Secure the ends of the sheet with clamps and leave to dry for a day or two. If several parts need to be made, drywall can be removed after 7-8 hours by pulling off the ends of the sheet with tape.
- Milling. The advantage of this method over the two previous ones is that with its help a drywall blank can be bent not only in length, but also in width. The sheet is cut in parallel lines on the convex side at a predetermined distance (usually 5–10 cm) and broken along the cut, strictly making sure that the cardboard sheath on the opposite side of the sheet remains intact. Then they put the sheet on the template with cuts up, primed and putty the places of the cuts and the rest of the surface with reinforcement with fiberglass mesh. Soak on a template until the putty dries.
Important. A curved sheet of drywall is mounted last so that its joint with the side planes of the semi-arch is located not below, but on the side. This makes it easier to bring the curved surface to a perfectly flat state during subsequent puttying.
Additional decoration
During the installation process, you can connect the lighting to the semi-arch with the installation of spotlights or LED strips, which will emphasize the contours of the structure and add coziness to the room. Stucco, mosaic or painted panels will become another touch in the design.
Arched structures in the interior have been at the height of fashion for many years. With their help, you can beautifully design a doorway in those places where it is not possible for any reason to install the door. Plasterboard semi-arches are very widely used inside residential premises. Plasterboard semi-arches will be an ideal decoration for a doorway, an element of an interior partition in the corridor, in the living room or in the kitchen. Such designs will add charm anywhere.
Drywall semi-arches are attractive and fairly simple designs that can be done by hand even for novice craftsmen.
Preparatory work
In the process of solving the question of how to make a semi-arch with your own hands, special attention is paid to preparatory work. First of all, it is worth noting that a semi-arch is a structure that is a kind of a quarter of a circle. The material that can be used to make a semi-arch should have an average thickness of 6.5 mm. This makes it possible to bend it quite easily when creating different curved parts.
Quite often, this design option is performed in two types - a product with one rounded corner with a right second corner. The second option is a semi-arch, which was created on the basis of a circle with a larger diameter than the doorway. In this case, a relatively small opening is obtained.
Required materials and tools
To equip such a structure as an external arch or flying butthan, it is worth choosing only the highest quality and modern materials. This will provide an opportunity to build the most practical and reliable design.
To create a semi-arch with your own hands, you will need to prepare materials and tools such as:
- Drywall sheets.
- Profiles for material mounting - ceiling 60x27mm and guide rail 27x28mm.
- Plaster for finishing drywall.
- Reinforcing tape or serpyanka.
- Acrylic primer.
- Putty for interior decoration.
- Protective arched corner - made of aluminum or plastic.
- Self-tapping screws for drywall 25-30 mm.
- Dowels for installing 6x40 or 6x60 guides.
- Special seal for profiles.
The total amount of materials must be calculated depending on the shape and size of the semi-arch. At the same time, you will need to prepare the following tools - a knife for cutting drywall, tape measure, laser or water level, metal scissors, hammer, puncher, screwdriver, spatulas.
Taking measurements
Before making the arches, you should first take the dimensions. This is a fairly simple process, the most important thing is to be careful so that all measurements are taken as accurately as possible.
Before you start installing a drywall arch, it is worth measuring the following manipulations:
- Measurements are taken from the doorway;
- The form of a semi-arch and the calculation of the total amount of required material are planned;
- A piece or template is made for cutting out the main curved parts;
- The opening is cleaned from the remnants of the previously used finish;
- Using a tape measure and a level, it is necessary to mark the places where the guides of the profile of the arches will be attached.
After preparing all the necessary tools and taking measurements, you can start cutting drywall and creating the profile frame itself.
Manufacturing and installation of a semi-arch
When making a semi-arch from drywall with your own hands, you should follow the following sequence of actions:
- Fastening guide profiles. They are installed on the sides of the doorway at a distance from edge to edge. This will help the edges of the semi-arch not stand out against the background of the wall.
- Fastening the guides with dowel nails, the pitch between which is 40 cm.
- The sealing tape is fixed.
- The arc of the future semi-arch is measured using a tape measure.
- A guide profile of a similar length is cut off and notches are made on its sides every 5-6 cm, and along the entire length. It is he who will act as the lower guide arch.
It is completely easy to make an arch on your own, the most important thing is to correctly install and fix drywall sheets and a profile.
After that, you will need to draw an arc of the desired size and measured diameter on a drywall sheet. According to the first template, the second part is made in its exact mirror image. The elements will be attached to both sides of the doorway.
At the end of the work, it remains just to fix the drywall and the lower guide profile into the opening.
This can be done in two different ways:
- First, sheets of drywall are fastened using self-tapping screws with pre-assembled profiles. After that, bending a little, the lower profile is attached to them.
- You can first fix the guide profiles to the lower arc of the drywall, and then the entire assembled structure is attached to the side profiles in the doorway.
Both of these methods will require some skill, but will ensure that the plasterboard structure is neatly and firmly secured in the doorway.
In the process of arranging a drywall semi-arch, the sheet will need to be bent in a certain way. The lower strip of the sheet is fixed in the semi-arch. The end strip is cut from the prepared drywall with a length equal to the length of the semi-arch itself, while the width should be equal to the depth of the opening. To firmly attach a sheet of material to a surface that is characterized as curved, it will need to be slightly bent.
Finishing work
After installing the profile structure, the interior arch must be finished using special materials. Finishing is carried out in different ways. In the area of a small bend, you can use a special "dry" method, that is, install the strip on special supports, and you can also slightly load the structure in the middle with an insignificant weight. This should be done until the material takes the required shape.
Many craftsmen make notches on the inner side every 10 cm and bend the strip with their hands. When carrying out this process, the strip must be immediately fixed on the profile using self-tapping screws. Wet finishing can be used. To do this, you need to moisten the inner surface of the strip with water and set it at a certain slope so that it bends under its own weight. After finishing the work, it is worth moving on to the final processing of the structure.
Final processing
At the beginning of these works, all joints of the material should be pasted over with a special reinforcing tape. She lays down on a primer, and from above everything is carefully sealed with putty on drywall. All edges of the arch and the finished opening must be trimmed with special protective corners. All straight lines are processed with plastic corners, and the arc can be finished with aluminum parts. From above, the arch can be decorated with wallpaper or putty to give it an aesthetic look.
A drywall semi-arch is very convenient and beautiful. She is able to give lightness to the interior of the room, at the visual level it makes the ceiling higher and fills the general space with style and beauty. It is easy to mount it, and it will take little money. It is enough to simply observe the accuracy in the measurements made, a certain sequence of actions during the installation process, firmly fasten all the elements, and a completely finished semi-arch will delight the eye and decorate the interior for as long as possible.
