arched opening

ITE

what is the best way to frame and install drywall to an arched opening? Im needing to open up part of a wall with a 4x6 opening and wanted it arched at the top. any tips or tricks to make the job easier? what is better, wet the drywall down or cut kerfs in the back of it to make it bend? If you wet it down, how much water should you use and how long should you wait until it can be put on the wall? for the arch I was thinking about making a box by cutting two pieces of plywood in the shape of the arch and sandwiching 2x material inbetween them with an angle cut to match the curve making sure that the whole thing is the same thickness as a 2x4. then attaching plywood to the arch to support the drywall. any tips with using the flexable corner bead? can you joint this up with the rigid metal bead that would be used on the vertical sides of the opening?

thanks for all of the help.

Mike Swearingen

You've got the framing part down with the arched plywood on both sides with blocks around the middle of the arch.
Don't wet the drywall.
Cut kerfs in the back of it with a utility knife every couple of inches or so and it should smoothly fit under the bottom of the arch. Mud and tape it with paper tape.
Good luck!
Mike

ITE

mike, thanks for the reply,

do you prefer the paper tape on the arch over the flexable corner bead?

when you use the paper, do you just slit it so that it will make the bend or do you cut chunks out of it?

and just out of curosity, why is it better to cut the back of the drywall on the arch instead of wetting it? Ive never attempted this so Im looking into it a bunch.

thanks again

Still_Waters_43

Instead of using a strip of notched drywall to do the inside curve why not use a strip of 1/4" plywood and then spead paste with a drywall taping knife. You will get a smooth curve and no corner bead should be needed.

jmic

ITE
I'd get a sheet of 1/4" sheetrock and double it up under the arch, I'd also use the flexible corner bead.
Joe

G.P.

You may want to look into flexible drywall, I haven't personally used it, but Iknow USG sells it