Replies

1. 
   FramerT | Mar 19, 2005 02:28am | #1

   Not expensive at all. We're not talking barreled entry ways, just arched interior doorways, right?

   I didn't do it....the buck does NOT stop here.
2. 
   Mongo | Mar 19, 2005 02:57am | #2

   When framing, I typically frame the opening like a normal door would be framed, though with the header at the proper height to allow the final height needed for the arch.

   Each 90-degree corner is then filled in with a half-arch. I make mine from leftover header (2x10) scraps. Normally two 2x10 pieces with a half-inch ply filler in between to build it out to 3-1/2".

   As an alternative, there are commercially made metal archways. They come in different styles...some have two sleeved halves that slide together, others are just flexible segments that get nailed on a wood backer.

   Personally, I prefer the wood ones I make as I can style the curve to get one pleasing to my eye.

   Drywall guys then wrap the arch using two layers of 1/4" to follow the inside curve and flexible corner bead to make the corners. Or leave it unwrapped and trim it out later with wood.

   I just finished priming these (pic below) today. Pic is lousy, taken with a cheap digital camera. Eleven wrapped arches, 6" wide trim, built-up to 1-1/2" deep where it butts into the wainscotting. For scale, wainscot is 38-1/2" high but the wainscot still needs a cap rail. This arch (as well as the one behind it) has a 42" wide opening and the opening is 91" high.

   Cost? Additional $50 per to frame and drywall crew charges $35 per to wrap. Cost to wrap with trim? Depends on the detail and how built up it is, as well as paint or stain-grade.

1. 
   irocss85 | Mar 19, 2005 05:40pm | #4

   wow, thanks guys.  why didnt I think of google search?   :confused:  

   thanks for the pics too.   any other pics around would be great to see.   so I should expect my builder to charge around $100 per doorway then huh?    (he already explained for other options that its cost + 20%. (then round up Im sure) )  

   chris

1. 
   kkj | Mar 19, 2005 11:20pm | #5

   This may not be exactly what you are looking for, but it is quick, inexpensive and works.  One is more of a barrel arch in a small alcove, the other is a build out  (add on?) to a standard door framing.  One is plywood, the other OSB. 

   They will both be covered with drywall.

   Take what you can use and toss the rest.

   -K

    

2. 
   kkj | Mar 19, 2005 11:25pm | #6

   Forgot to mention in my last post, but I think that for this type of arch $100 sounds a little steep.

   The doorway arch in the photo uses two  nine foot 2"x6" on each side plus the material in the arch itself which is made from job drops and rems.  Material cost is less than $30 and labor is about 15 minutes to build and install.

   -K

3. 
   Mongo | Mar 20, 2005 04:25pm | #12

   "...so I should expect my builder to charge around $100 per doorway then huh?    (he already explained for other options that its cost + 20%. (then round up Im sure) )"

   Not neccessarily.

   The price depends on how the arch is fabricated (site made or a store-bought pre-fab), who installs it (do the framers make just a square opening and someone else like the drywall crew does the arch), and what the finished detail of the arch will be.

   Example, if someone wants one or two arches, there may not be any upcharge. If they want 20, yeah, they'll likely be a charge for the extra materials and labor. The cost also depends on where you live. Regional $$ differences do exist.

   What you have to do is define your idea of an arch. Some people think half circles, some think half-ellipses, where both smoothly blend with the side casings of the doorway. Some think of an arch as a curved segment that intersects the casing at a sharp angle.

   Personally, I prefer a half-elipse that blends smoothly into the jambs.

   However, your arch needs to be aesthetically pleasing to YOUR eye. It needs to flow as YOU think it should. If it doesn't, it'll be jarring to look at every time you pass through it.

   Your idea oif an arch may not be the same as the builder nor the framer nor the drywall crew. You have to define it.

   Know what you want and make sure you get it.

1. 
   irocss85 | Apr 11, 2005 07:37am | #13

   thanks for all the info guys.

   chris

1. 
   dIrishInMe | Apr 11, 2005 02:00pm | #14

   The attached pic is one of 3 arches I framed in my own home.  Sorry I don't have a rough framing pic.  This is the view you see when you walk in the front door.  The elliptical arch shape mimics the arch transom that is above the front door.  I used the same framing method as 'K' showed in his/her posting: 55743.6

   Note that in my pic there is a tight radius at either side of the arch whereas the ones that 'K' showed had a corner there.  The tight radiuses make it a bit hard on the drywall guys - and I ended up having to go get some 1/4" drywall which they double wrapped the arch with.   Flexable (plastic) corner bead was then installed and the drywall was finished as normal. 

   I elected not to install casing molding as I would have had to get them custom made and if I remember correctly it was $125 per piece.  There were 3 drywall arches around the foyer, and it would have been 2 pieces of trim for each arch... which would have come to $750 for the tram materials alone.  The house is trimmed in 445 casing, which kinda ruled out me making the molding.  I could have used some of the flexible molding but sometimes it ends up being a bit "bumpy", so I decided to go with the naked arch look.

   Looking at the arch pic that Mungo posted there may still be the issue of the expense of the trim, but the drywall is easier then on the elliptical arch. (assuming his does not have a wood jamb). Matt

2. 
   MountainWay | Apr 12, 2005 10:00am | #15

   Not to complicate matters, but does anyone know how to build a curved portico roof similar to the attached photo?  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

   Thanks!

3. 
   gdavis62 | Apr 12, 2005 12:42pm | #16

   If you are 8' or less from side bearing to side bearing, you can use 3/4 CDX ply and jigsaw pattern-cut curved rafter stock.  Glue and screw two together to make up one at 1-1/2" thick.

   Wider up to 10', you'll need to contact one of the plywood jobbers that sells to the cabinet trade.  My lumberyard guys' eyes glaze over if I talk 10 foot plywood to them.

4. 
   MountainWay | Apr 12, 2005 09:22pm | #17

   Thanks for the reply, Gene.  Good information.  The portico roof will be 14' wide and have a slightly steeper pitch than the roof in the picture, so it looks like your second option will be the way to go.

   If anyone else has experience with this type of roof and would like to chime in, all ideas are welcome and appreciated.

   Thanks again!

2. 
   manimal | Mar 19, 2005 11:47pm | #7

   hey,how do you apply trim to a door like that?is it custom ordered or is there another way of making them yourself?

1. 
   Mongo | Mar 20, 2005 03:39pm | #11

   I make the trim myself. How depends on the material to be used. For stain-grade the arch can be done in segments. For paint-grade it can either be segmented or dome in one piece if using sheet-goods (MDF, for example).

   Regardless, I make a template from MDF of the arched top, glue up oversized segments, rough cut the segmented arch to slightly oversize with a jigsaw, then cut it to final size with a router with bearing to follow the MDF template. Sounds like a lot of steps, but the templates make it fast and repeatable when doing multiples.

   If, however, you prefer store-bought trim, there are plenty of options out there.

   Places like Outwater and a few others have pre-fab arch trim kits. You just have to build the arch with the trim kit in mind. Or you can go the flexmold route, but flexible molding can be pricey.

   Using prefab kits you can get some very fancy or detailed trim, or something plain, to match the rest of the house.

3. 
   Mongo | Mar 19, 2005 03:08am | #3

   Did a quick google and this was the first hit:

   http://www.instaarch.com/install.htm

   I don't have a copy handy, but an arch prefab company usually advertises in FHB as well.

4. 
   NickNukeEm | Mar 20, 2005 01:06am | #8

   Just came from JLC Live and Myron Ferguson (That Drywall Guy) did an arched opening by covering the top half of a standard rectangular rough opening with drywall, drew the arch (or ellipse) on the drywall (both sides of doorway), cut the rock, then insert 3.5" long pieces of 2x4 between the sheets for support and attached via screws through the drywall.  Arch then covered with 1/4" drywall as in any other method.  No extra framing required.  Looked pretty slick, and I may have a chance to use the trick later this spring, though I haven't tried it myself as yet.

   Just another option to consider, I guess.

    

   I never met a tool I didn't like!
1. 
   Sphere | Mar 20, 2005 01:28am | #9

   'nuther easy way is take a steel stud and make relief cuts on the flanges about 2or 3" apart..depending on the radius. screw the side legs to the jacks, and a flange to the header. Rock on. 

   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   "Sell your cleverness, Purchase Bewilderment"...Rumi

5. 
   mrhodes | Mar 20, 2005 02:35am | #10

   just out of curiosity, what do you consider a fair price per archway?  What is the most you would expect to pay?