frame and sheetrock an arch - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

ch0mpie · 03-01-2006, 09:08 PM

Doing work in an apt renovation in a few weeks and I need to put arch way in a load bearing timber framed wall. After I build the header, I plan to bend 3/8" plywood to form the arch, and then fill in the corners with blocks of wood. To finish just inside surface of the arch, I plan to tack wire lath to the plywood, mud it with structo-lite, then match it to the drywall on the walls, mud on corner bead, and smooth with premixed mud. At least this is the way I learned to do it. Wondering if you guys have any suggestions?
Thanks,
Jon

A+Carpenter · 03-01-2006, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ch0mpie

Doing work in an apt renovation in a few weeks and I need to put arch way in a load bearing timber framed wall. After I build the header, I plan to bend 3/8" plywood to form the arch, and then fill in the corners with blocks of wood. To finish just inside surface of the arch, I plan to tack wire lath to the plywood, mud it with structo-lite, then match it to the drywall on the walls, mud on corner bead, and smooth with premixed mud. At least this is the way I learned to do it. Wondering if you guys have any suggestions?
Thanks,
Jon

Good Idea!

**Teetorbilt** · 03-01-2006, 09:39 PM

This is really funny considering that arches were originally concieved as load bearing structures. Now we're back to post and beam and arches are asthetic.

Your plan sounds good.

JPV123 · 03-01-2006, 09:39 PM

I usually cut my arch out of 2 sheets of plywood put blocking in between so that your finished thickness is 1" less than your wall to allow for 1/2 inch sheetrock on each side. then sheetrock over the plywood. For the inside you can buy bender board or set your circular saw 1/8 of an inch less than the thickness of your plywood and make scores every 1/2 inch on the back of the strip. This will make the strip flexible so that you can bend it around the inside of the arch. then plaster away.

Eric K · 03-01-2006, 09:41 PM

We did this in a reno. couple yrs ago where we had a 20'? wall. That got 3 arches w/ roman style pillars. The arches we did by taking MDF and cutting out the arch. Then we capped the header on each side with the MDF. Studed as ness. on the inside of the arches for the 1/4" luan that was bent to the dimension of the arches. Drywalled the MDF, and bendable vinyl cornerbead, mud and viola. Arches.

JustaFramer · 03-01-2006, 09:54 PM

Funny no one told you the easy way to frame a arch. PM me I will give you simple instructions on how to frame a arch. I won't divulge that info in drublic.

Hey Adam I'll hook you up if you want to know.

Framers Unite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Eric K · 03-01-2006, 09:58 PM

Damn framers and their secrets.

Mike Finley · 03-01-2006, 11:08 PM

I'm into cheating now a days.

**Cole** · 03-01-2006, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPV123

I usually cut my arch out of 2 sheets of plywood put blocking in between so that your finished thickness is 1" less than your wall to allow for 1/2 inch sheetrock on each side. then sheetrock over the plywood. For the inside you can buy bender board or set your circular saw 1/8 of an inch less than the thickness of your plywood and make scores every 1/2 inch on the back of the strip. This will make the strip flexible so that you can bend it around the inside of the arch. then plaster away.

Thats how I do it.

ch0mpie · 03-01-2006, 11:23 PM

Mike is that figure showing drywall with the backing cut off?

Mike Finley · 03-01-2006, 11:46 PM

With the backing cut off? You mean just using the paper? No, it's just showing you fast, fast production methods of doing an arch using Trim Tex products.

JustaFramer · 03-01-2006, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KBKConstruction

Damn framers and their secrets.

I'd tell yah but your a Steelers Fan. Wait so is Adam.

Ok since I can't hold a grudge against my bud Adam. I'll just tell the world.

To first layout a arch you must cut 2 pieces of plywood of equal size of the area you want to cover. I.E. say 42.5" is the width of the opening. Now determine the length of the legs by how shallow or deep you want your radius. Deep longer the legs. Ok so lets say we want 12" legs. So cut the ply 42.5" x 14"

Now you want to snap a line and mark center on the ply so half of 42.5" is 21 1/4". Match up the center line on the ply with the snap line. On the center line measure down from the top 1.5" mark. Also mark from the top down one side or both 13.5" (12" +1.5") I also like to spike a nail here for the next step. Now with 2 tape measures take one and pull from the 1.5" line down the snapline. Hook the other one on the leg where the nail is spiked and match the numbers.

Now spike a nail, hook, scribe and cut. Cut and nail 2x4's to the thickness of header.
I use this method for production cutting of simple barrel archs. Complex McD type Archs (true) require more than one Apex to accomplish.

Also note that arch depth will be determined wholly on required min. head height. And all numbers used here are variable.

reveivl · 03-02-2006, 02:03 AM

That never occurred to me, I've always cut a couple of 2x6's or whatever to the curve, nailed them in, faced them with rock, then taken rock the depth of the arch and scored the back every 2", bent it into the curve, screwed it on, plastic flex bead, mud and done.

747 · 03-02-2006, 02:51 AM

Wow i thought you wetted drywall to get it to bend inside of a arch. Take a pump sprayer fill it will water they spray the drywall so it will bend. Then bend it inside of the arch and screw it down. Let it dry then mud.

A+Carpenter · 03-02-2006, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KBKConstruction

We did this in a reno. couple yrs ago where we had a 20'? wall. That got 3 arches w/ roman style pillars. The arches we did by taking MDF and cutting out the arch. Then we capped the header on each side with the MDF. Studed as ness. on the inside of the arches for the 1/4" luan that was bent to the dimension of the arches. Drywalled the MDF, and bendable vinyl cornerbead, mud and viola. Arches.

I framed in Reno to

A+Carpenter · 03-02-2006, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reveivl

That never occurred to me, I've always cut a couple of 2x6's or whatever to the curve, nailed them in, faced them with rock, then taken rock the depth of the arch and scored the back every 2", bent it into the curve, screwed it on, plastic flex bead, mud and done.

Walla here you go.

A+Carpenter · 03-02-2006, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustaFramer

Funny no one told you the easy way to frame a arch. PM me I will give you simple instructions on how to frame a arch. I won't divulge that info in drublic.

Hey Adam I'll hook you up if you want to know.

Framers Unite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are the few the proud. We are the framers of the world. HOOOORA.

Hey KBK hold my hammer while I nail your GIRL%^%

A+Carpenter · 03-02-2006, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustaFramer

I'd tell yah but your a Steelers Fan. Wait so is Adam.

Ok since I can't hold a grudge against my bud Adam. I'll just tell the world.

To first layout a arch you must cut 2 pieces of plywood of equal size of the area you want to cover. I.E. say 42.5" is the width of the opening. Now determine the length of the legs by how shallow or deep you want your radius. Deep longer the legs. Ok so lets say we want 12" legs. So cut the ply 42.5" x 14"

Now you want to snap a line and mark center on the ply so half of 42.5" is 21 1/4". Match up the center line on the ply with the snap line. On the center line measure down from the top 1.5" mark. Also mark from the top down one side or both 13.5" (12" +1.5") I also like to spike a nail here for the next step. Now with 2 tape measures take one and pull from the 1.5" line down the snapline. Hook the other one on the leg where the nail is spiked and match the numbers.

Now spike a nail, hook, scribe and cut. Cut and nail 2x4's to the thickness of header.
I use this method for production cutting of simple barrel archs. Complex McD type Archs (true) require more than one Apex to accomplish.

Also note that arch depth will be determined wholly on required min. head height. And all numbers used here are variable.

Well you just explained it. That's the same way I cut over half round windows or ecliptic windows when siding and cornice arrive.

Have you ever used the sun through the window trick Moore? I learned this from a guy that said here try this when you dont know shiot and a kid.

Sunshines through the window and lays you a perfect diagram on the sub-floor. Take your sheet lay it down on the floor and there you have your template. Now you know Im old school.

We framers that have been framing up north are tried and true to our craft.

Nick H · 03-02-2006, 06:13 PM

I always make arches using ply. It makes for a much stronger job. Some of those preformed jobs are really quick but you give it a whack with a sofa and its gonna end in tears.

Eric K · 03-02-2006, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamMeider

We are the few the proud. We are the framers of the world. HOOOORA.

Hey KBK hold my hammer while I nail your GIRL%^%

Say what