If you have ordered a general project, then the professionals will suggest how to decorate the arch in the apartment so that it is in harmony with the design concept of the entire space. But you can also choose the decor you like and also cover this architectural element with it.
Arches decorate not only the door, they effectively mark a niche in the wall and make our window exclusive. Hence the different finishing requirements: interior arches are under heavy load - which means their decor should be not only beautiful, but also durable.
Finishing materials
The market offers numerous materials for designing a through opening:
- classic - wallpaper;
- decorative rock;
- facing brick;
- tiles or ceramic;
- decorative plaster;
- mirrors;
- textile;
- mosaic;
- traffic jam
Corners for arches
We carefully mark with corners the vulnerable places - arched corners. Let us clarify that only their hard cladding does not require such protection. In another design, it is the corners that will prevent mechanical damage to the opening and preserve its aesthetic appearance.
Plastic arched corners are available in various widths, but a convenient size is 10x20 mm. At the same time, we will glue its wide side with liquid nails inside the arch, and the narrow side to the facade.
Advice! It takes a long time to press the corner to the base, so we’ll secure it with masking tape for about 12 hours.
Wallpapering
Pasting on the arch
- First we putty and level the base.
- Then we’ll prepare the glue: use a drill attachment to stir it.
- We glue the strip vertically next to the opening and bend the edge 3 cm onto the arch. Similarly, we glue the second strip next to the first.
- We glue the next strips also with an allowance.
- Now, using scissors, we cut out the corners in these allowances to avoid folds, glue them to the arch, smoothing them out.
At the last stage we will paste over the vault:
- First of all, we will cut a strip along the width of the arch, but let the length be longer to match the pattern;
- glue this strip at the top of the arch and then go down, smoothing it from top to bottom, and then to the edge.
The advantages of this decor include a variety of colors and patterns for any interior and taste, as well as the price of finishing. However, wallpaper is short-lived: it turns yellow, loses its freshness and novelty. And, unfortunately, they deteriorate from moisture.
Cork finish
Today it is very popular to decorate openings with cork - an environmentally friendly, warm, natural material.
Only the rolled form is optimal for this design. We will also need acrylic or contact glue. Easy to work with.
How can you decorate an arch in an apartment with cork? In fact, this is an ordinary wallpaper sticker. To increase its strength, we will then coat the cork with varnish.
Advice! For the arch in the kitchen, we will buy cork rolls coated with wax - it repels moisture.
Application of decorative plaster
Finishing features
- Its advantages: easy and simple application, durability.
- Disadvantages of decorative plaster: restoration is difficult, the relief is difficult to wash or clean.
For registration decorative plaster we will need embossed rollers or stamps.
Note that using ready-made slow-drying mixtures will make the work easier: we will have time to make a relief on the wet plaster.
Work order
- Distribute the mixture over the surface- the instructions will indicate the thickness of the layer (but more than 1.5 cm).
- Now we create a relief using relief rollers or stamps. By the way, rollers save us material and time, unlike stamps.
- Then we prime the dried relief.
After 20 hours we paint according to a special scheme:
- to emphasize the relief, first apply dark paint with a roller with a longer pile;
- second layer: apply light paint with a roller with a shorter pile or a rubber one - now only the tops of the relief are painted.
Stone finishing
The beautiful design of an arch with stone or tiles can be symmetrical in eco or country style, or asymmetrical in deconstructivism or modern style.
Laying tiles
- As usual, we will first plaster, prime the surface and make notches.
- We will prepare the solution from cement, lime, sand and glue, or (if the instructions allow) we will fix the tiles with liquid nails.
- The overlapping sticker will save us from sealing the outer corners - in the first row we will glue them end to end, and in the second - with a shift inward.
- And so in every odd row we align the edge of the tile precisely with the border of the opening, but in every even row we attach it with an overlap.
Masonry along the arc of stone
- Place on a carefully prepared surface.
- First, we try on the tiles and mark the cut line from the inside.
- We draw along the drawn line several times with a construction knife and break off the unnecessary part with pliers, and then smooth it with a file.
- We close the seams within a day.
Facing plastic
Note! You don’t have to prime or putty the base, but build the frame right away. But during work, it is worth checking the level of inclination and parallelism of the finish more often.
- We build a frame for any plastic panels, for example, from wooden slats.
- We attach them to both sides of the arch with mounting foam, and temporary spacers will hold the structure until the foam hardens.
- Now we cut the plastic parts to the required sizes and mount them vertically or horizontally on the slats using a stapler and large staples.
Conclusion
The decisive point is, for which any wallpaper, decorative plaster, lining, cork, laminated or parquet board, artificial or natural stone are suitable. Their use has its own nuances, indicated in the instructions.
It is easier and more economical to veneer a trapezoid arch, because it is the vaulted semicircle that is difficult to finish. Elastic and bendable materials will ideally form arched roundness. The video in this article will clearly introduce us to the nuances of arch finishing.
Modern interior design today allows you to embody the most daring and original ideas. Many designers use an arched technique to design a passage between rooms. This solution has many advantages: the arch allows you to expand the space and visually enlarge it. The arch in the apartment looks original and unusual. The main thing is to choose the right design. It must match the style in which the room is decorated. You can decorate the arch different ways. You can decorate the arch with your own hands.
Styles for decorating arches in apartments
Various styles and design directions allow you to design the arch so that it is in harmony with general view premises. Each style represents something special, which allows you to choose an option that meets the taste preferences of the room owners. Each style has its own characteristics and characteristics that need to be taken into account during the decorating process.
One of the most popular modern styles design - hi-tech. To implement all ideas, it is necessary to use the most modern building and finishing materials.
When decorating an interior in a minimalist style, it is important to adhere to clear forms and interior simplicity. Decorating an arch in a minimalist style will not require much material or time expenditure - this makes them especially popular. The shape of such an arch should resemble a portal. Typically, the upper part of such an arch has straight lines, and the corners are rounded.
Different styles for finishing:
- Modern. The main feature of the arch in this style is the large radius of the opening. Visually, you can easily see a clear transition from a rounded shape to a straight one. Before carrying out repair work, it is important to determine the size of the arch and, accordingly, purchase the required amount of materials. Typically, such an arch is decorated with wood or MDF.
- Classic. To design an arch in this style, it is important to determine the ratio of the radius to the width of the opening. Typically the radius is equal to half the width of the opening. This arch has a beautiful appearance, regular and graceful forms. An arch in this style is suitable for interior decoration not only in classic style, but also in other styles. Common finishing options: wood and polyurethane moldings.
Arches can have a wide variety of shapes, smooth or sharp lines and transitions. So that the arch fits into general interior, it is necessary to decide in advance on the style of its decoration, as well as on the materials for implementation design ideas. They must be of high quality.
How to decorate an arch in an apartment: options and materials
The design of an arch in a house or apartment must be carried out not only according to all the rules of design, but also of construction. When deciding to install an arch instead of interior doors, you need to make sure that the wall does not have a supporting function. If the lintel strengthens a wall that has no support, then it cannot be removed.
After installing the arch, repair work is carried out to strengthen it. Decorative finishing can only be performed after the frame has been completely strengthened.
The arched body is sheathed with plasterboard, fiberboard or plywood. You can decorate the finished arched structure with any building material intended for finishing. The most budget-friendly decorative devices are moldings and corners made of plastic.
Design options:
- Polyurethane. The material is dense and flexible. It is from it that stucco molding, pediments, cornices and arched elements are often made today. Installing polyurethane elements is easy and simple. You can cover the arch with polyurethane not only inside, but also outside.
- Stone. Natural stone should only be used if necessary. If the arched structure has a solid foundation. For cladding empty arches, it is better to use decor and artificial stone. The most popular types of stone decor are travertine, slate, shell rock, marble or granite. The basis of artificial stone is gypsum or cement.
- Acrylic tiles. The material can imitate various materials: stone, brick, etc. The material is relatively inexpensive and easy to use.
The choice of material is influenced by the personal preferences of the room owners, the general style of the interior and the cost of materials. To save money, you can make some finishing materials yourself. For example, finishing made of artificial stone.
Beautiful arches made of plasterboard
Drywall is a material that can appear rigid and rough. But in fact, this material has special ductility and flexibility, which makes it possible to make a beautiful arched structure from it. Decorative arch made of plasterboard can have a simple or the most bizarre shape.
When designing a plasterboard arch, it is important to pay attention to the fact that the wider the opening of the arched structure, the more important it is to choose a decor that will be in harmony with the overall style.
Drywall is a lightweight material and is easy to work with, so you can make and install such an arch in a room yourself. Drywall is a material that is safe for health, so it is suitable for installation in a nursery. Arches can be of different types.
Types of arched structures according to the shape of the vault:
- Roman. The vault is a symmetrical semicircle. The diameter of the arch is equal to the width of the opening.
- Slavic. Such arches have a simple design. The most common shape: square and rectangular.
- Eastern. The arches are characterized by a pointed dome.
- Thai. They have an original shape: one side remains rectangular, and the other is beveled.
- Trapezoid. Characterized by beveled corners. This arch is suitable for an interior made in a classic English style.
A correctly selected arch will help improve the appearance of the room. It is important to frame the arch correctly so that it looks harmonious. For modern interiors A bold design of arches with the most unexpected shapes is suitable.
Finishing the arch with polyurethane molding
You can decorate arches beautifully using polyurethane moldings. They are made of durable material, which ensures them a long service life. Thanks to the bending structure, a wide variety of arch designs can be made.
Moldings on the arches look stylish and elegant. With their help you can recreate the interior in a classic style.
Moldings can be made from different materials– you should pay attention to this, since some materials are not very suitable for finishing an arch. You can decorate the arch with self-adhesive molding. Most often it is made of plastic or rubber.
Types of moldings:
- Wooden,
- Polyurethane;
- Marble;
- Plaster;
- Metal.
It is better to cover the arches with polyurethane moldings. It's a pleasure to work with them. The arch also takes on a finished and stylish look.
Beautiful arch in the apartment (video)
You can paste over the arch different types materials. Before making a choice, you should pay attention to the shape of the arch, the material from which it is made, as well as the style in the interior. Today, the spaces between the doors are often decorated with moldings or stucco. It is important that the decor of the arch is in harmony with the overall appearance of the room. Beautifully finished door arch you can do it yourself, after first studying the advice of professionals.
At the moment due to abundance finishing materials The question arises about how to finish the arch. There are many options for making such an unusual design.
Materials used to decorate the arch
Before you choose how to decorate an arch in an apartment, you need to determine what it is made of.
Let's consider this option in more detail:
- At the moment, a common option for making an arch is plasterboard.
- For this purpose they use a special type of it - arched GLK.
- It has a perforated surface.
Note. If you need to give the material a certain shape, then it is moistened with water and placed on some object for a while. It bends and dries.
- It is attached to a pre-constructed metal profile frame.
- Sheets are mounted on it using self-tapping screws.
Advice. Do not overtighten the screws so that the gypsum dough, which is located between the sheets of pressed cardboard, is not damaged. It's quite fragile.
The arch is divided into ends and corners. These two components can be designed the same or differently. It all depends on the interior design (see Decorative decoration of arches).
How to decorate an arch in an apartment:
- Wallpaper.
- Fake diamond(see: Wooden arch trim, classic interior).
- Decorative plaster.
- Simple coloring.
Advice. To make the arch look original, various decorative lighting fixtures are often placed in it.
To do this, electrical wiring is initially laid so that the arch can be turned on and off autonomously.
Wallpaper in arch design
Today, there is a huge selection of wallpaper of this material that is suitable for decorating an arched opening (see: Decorating an arch with mosaics, design options).
Wallpaper can be:
- Paper.
- Non-woven.
- Vinyl.
- Silkscreen printing.
- Waterproof and others.
All of them look original on any surface, only they have their own specific service life and surface care methods.
Note. Covering the arch with wallpaper is an economical option. Especially if they use simple paper wallpaper for this.
To paste the arch you will need:
- Special glue that matches the type of wallpaper.
- Foam roller for leveling the surface.
- A simple pencil and ruler for cutting out dimensions on a roll.
- Use a dry cloth to wipe off excess glue so that it does not stain the finished surface.
- Scissors for cutting the roll.
- Use a utility knife to straighten the edges of the wallpaper at the corners of the arch.
Advice. To make the wallpaper look original, thin foam plinths are often used to decorate the surface of the arch. They are glued to the dried wallpaper to complete the finishing with liquid nails or white sealant.
Work process:
- If the arch is made of plasterboard, then there is no need to level the surface.
- You just need to treat the joints of the sheets with putty if necessary.
- It is worth priming the arch so that there is good adhesion of the glue to the surface.
- A certain size piece is cut out of a roll of wallpaper and coated with glue on the back side.
Note. There are wallpapers that, after gaining moisture, can expand in size. This must be taken into account in your work.
- Wallpaper with glue should sit for a while. Let the glue soak in.
- For greater confidence, coat the surface of the arch.
- After this, the wallpaper is attached to the arch and glued well with a dry rag.
- Then they pass over them with a foam roller, which can effectively remove air bubbles.
Advice. You can choose not only light shades of such material for the arch. The arch with flowers and other designs looks quite original.
If you can use the services of repairmen to decorate the arch with other materials, then you can easily paste the wallpaper onto the surface with your own hands. You just need to glue the joints well.
Note. For high-quality gluing of joints, use cash register tape, which is pre-glued to the surface. It holds the edges of the roll on itself.
How to decorate an arch using regular paint?
How to finish a plasterboard arch? Quite often, the most common paint is used for this:
- At the moment there is a large assortment of this finishing product.
- There are a variety of shades, and you can use not only standard light colors for an arch.
- Paint is applied only to the prepared surface.
Advice. If the arch is made of plasterboard, then it is covered with a thin layer of plaster and then primed.
Using paint is the easiest and fastest way to finish a structure.
For work you will need:
- Paint of a certain shade.
- Brushes and rollers with natural bristles.
Note. To paint any surface, it is best to use a brush and roller with natural bristles only. They are able to distribute paint evenly on the surface.
It is also worth considering that the price for this type of cladding is affordable. Most often, water-based emulsion is used for work.
Artificial stone for finishing arched structures
How to decorate the corners of the arch? Quite often decorative stone is used for such work:
- It is made from acrylic or other substances.
- The stone does not have much mass and is quite easy to install.
- It is moisture-resistant and practical, and does not require special care for its surface.
- If the arch is made with paint or plaster, then finishing its corners with artificial stone will add uniqueness.
The stone is secured using:
- Glue for decorative stone, which is white.
- Spatulas.
- Level if necessary.
- A tile cutter is needed to give the stone size.
Advice. To finish the corners of the arch, you should use thin tiles of artificial stone.
Decorative plaster for arches
Decorative plaster is great option how to finish the ends of the arches.
- Apply a layer of it only to the plastered surface.
- Also, the surface must be flat.
At the moment there is a large assortment. Decorative plaster can be made with threads and sparkles, natural and artificial stone.
To apply it to the surface you will need:
- Two spatulas (large and small).
- Construction level for a smooth finishing surface.
Advice. There are special instructions for mixing the decorative plaster solution. Dry powder is poured into a container, into which a certain amount of liquid is poured while stirring.
Work process:
- Immediately apply a small layer of plaster.
- Give it a little time to dry.
Note. The layers of such a product on the surface must be transparent so that, as a result of applying several layers, a uniform shade is obtained.
- Then subsequent layers are applied.
- Sandpaper is not required for the work, as it can damage the surface of the decorative plaster (see Finishing an arch with cork).
The arch turns out unusual color with various inclusions. You can combine plaster with decorative stone. This design design looks no less original. Watch a video on how to design an arch.
A very pressing question for both apartment owners and private home owners is how to design an arch so that it looks stylish and fits organically into the interior of the room. This design option for a doorway, such as an arch, is very popular and is used to delimit space in the kitchen, hallway, living room, balcony, etc. The shape and configuration of the structure can be completely different: from a classic portal to complex intricate models. Various decoration methods can also be used; let’s consider them in more detail.
There are many ways to design an arch in an apartment
Painting
One of the most common and available methods The design of an arched opening in an apartment involves plastering it and then painting it. This method is perfect for modern interior styles, as well as trendy and classic ones. Several design options are possible here. In this case, you should take into account the possibility of selecting the base itself for painting, that is, plaster. This may be one of the following options:
- standard smooth finishing putty;
- creating relief on the surface;
- use of special textured plaster;
- application of an already pigmented composition.
For living rooms it is better to use smooth plaster, and the corridor and balcony can be enhanced with the help of textured mixtures.
Plastering for painting is the most common and simplest option for finishing an arch.
In order to look neat, you initially need to align its contours. To do this, use putty, drywall and corners. It is best to seal joints and cracks using serpyanka. At the corners you need to fix the corner profile so that the contours are smooth and clear.
Before painting, it is important to clean the surface to achieve a perfectly smooth base. Paint is most often applied with a roller. If you decide to decorate the arch with relief elements, it is better to immediately apply a decorative mixture with pigments. Otherwise, you can use a spray gun or perform uneven decorative painting of the opening. In the future, it will be possible to install additional linings or hang curtains in the opening.
Tile and stone
Another popular way to decorate an arch is to use facing materials. Particularly in demand are tiles that imitate natural stone or brickwork. You can also use standard tiles or mosaics, depending on the style of the interior.
A huge plus of this method of decorating an arch in an apartment is the ability to fit the opening into a completely different styles. Artificial stone can be combined with various materials, such as plaster, wallpaper or paint. The layout order is selected individually. Most often, this is an arbitrary arrangement of elements around the perimeter of the arch opening.
For finishing in such cases, gypsum materials are mainly used. Nevertheless, clinker and porcelain stoneware are very popular. It is especially advisable to place them at the entrance to the apartment or to the balcony, since these materials are more durable and wear-resistant. This finish can imitate completely different materials:
- sandstone;
- brick;
- slate;
- limestone;
- marble;
- granite.
You can decorate an arch in an apartment using tiles or stone
In order to tiling an arch with high-quality tiles with your own hands, it is initially recommended to create a perfectly flat surface. It is also important to choose the appropriate adhesive mixture. In the opening, you can apply approximate markings of the location of the elements, especially if you are planning non-standard masonry.
Decorative panels and stucco molding
The next option with which you can frame the arch is the use of special decorative panels and overlays. The most popular material in this case is MDF. This method of decoration is great for classic interior. The surface of the panels can be covered with natural or artificial veneer, as well as film. The latter option allows you to expand the palette of finishes, but the imitation of natural wood also looks extremely advantageous even in an ultra-modern design.
In order to fix the panels in the arch opening, nails without heads and glue are used. If the level is taken from scratch, then spacers are needed and polyurethane foam. The principle of their installation is similar to the installation of a door frame. First you need to frame the inner space of the arch, and then cover all the joints and cracks with platbands. In some cases, ready-made overlays are used that can be fixed with one click.
To decorate the arch in the apartment, stucco is also used. To line the opening in this way with your own hands, you will need glue, for example, liquid nails. The elements are made mainly of polyurethane, they look very impressive and can give the interior a feeling of grandeur and high style if executed correctly; they are also suitable for romantic styles and antique variations. The form can be either simple or contain complex bent and cast elements. The white moldings can be painted later. The only negative is that they are easy to damage.
Stucco molding on the arch is not suitable for every interior
Curtains
Curtains for decorating an arched swarm are not so popular today, but are still sometimes used. Here you can rarely find traditional tulles and curtains, although they can be used to disguise the entrance. Mostly, curtains are made from wicker, wooden blocks, beads, threads, bamboo, etc. Such curtains are easy to make with your own hands.
Cornices are used for fastening; they are hung over the opening. For round and complex structures, curtains are used less often, since the fastening will be too noticeable. However, you can find special curved cornices that will match the shape of the opening.
The most low-budget option for decorating an arch is to use curtains
How exactly to decorate an arch using curtains needs to be considered individually; this is largely influenced by the general style of the interior of the rooms united by the arch.
What exactly to use: plaster, curtains, tiles or panels is up to you. Before acceptance final decision consider all available options, weigh all the pros and cons, and also consider the possible costs of decoration.
In the era of newfangled building materials and brave design solutions It’s difficult to surprise someone with standard rectangular doors. Therefore, very often, when choosing a design for their apartment, many owners decide to decorate interior openings in If you show a little imagination, such designs can not only combine the space of several rooms, but also become the most attractive decorative element in the entire room. The decoration of arches can be done in a variety of options, to suit every taste and budget. What materials can be used to decorate unusual shapes and how to do this work with your own hands will be discussed in this article.
Selection of finishing materials
Since arches gained popularity quite a long time ago, manufacturers of modern finishing materials managed to launch production of products focused specifically on this element of the interior. Today, in specialized markets you can find ready-made products made of wood and MDF, which all you have to do is insert them into the doorway.
If you do not want to limit yourself to standard solutions or the passage already has a rounded shape and just needs to be decorated, you can use the following materials:
- wallpaper (any variety);
- decorative plaster;
- cork;
- molding;
- polyurethane;
- mosaic;
- decorative and natural stone.
The arches can be decorated using any of the options listed, the main thing is that it fits well with the design of both rooms. In order to assess the complexity of the work, we will dwell on each material separately.
Paper and cork wallpaper
Finishing with arch wallpaper is considered the easiest to perform and budget option. Here you don’t have to worry about the combination of materials, since most often the walls and the opening are covered with the same canvases.
It would seem that such a finish would be mediocre and unattractive, but if you are smart, you can give the arch a very impressive appearance.
Using brick-like wallpaper will allow you to create inexpensive
Bright wallpaper with large patterns will help to add contrasting notes to the interior. They form only the vault of the arch, and at the joints of different panels there are special corners protecting them from abrasion.
Recently, arches have often been decorated with cork wallpaper. Their use helps to decorate and highlight the interior passage area against the general background. The material can be used even in places of high humidity, but only in this case it is necessary to choose options that have a wax coating.
Arch wallpapering technology
Before you start gluing wallpaper, the surface of the arch and adjacent walls should be well leveled using putty.
Next they prepare the glue. Experienced experts advise mixing a thick adhesive solution. This allows you to achieve excellent adhesion in places where there is a sharp bend and makes it possible to move the blade for better joining.
The first strip is glued to the wall located near the arch. The next one is positioned so that it is half closed. The protruding part of the glued fabric is cut off, leaving an allowance of 25 mm. Along the entire length of the resulting stock, small cuts are made (at a distance of 20 mm from each other), which are folded using a roller inner side and stick. This way the entire opening is covered on both sides.
Next they move to the vault of the arch. A strip is cut out of the wallpaper, the width of which is equal to the depth of the opening itself. Taking into account the arrangement of the elements of the picture, it is glued to inner surface arches and side walls. To prevent the formation of air bubbles, smooth the wallpaper with a clean roller.
Installing cork wallpaper is no different from working with paper, so we won’t dwell on it separately.
Decorative plaster
Finishing can be done using even more simple way- applying decorative plaster.
Before using it, it is necessary to eliminate all defects on the wall surface. Using putty and a spatula, smooth out all the unevenness, mask the seams and hide the caps of the fasteners. To ensure reliable adhesion of the material to the base, the arch is treated with a primer and left to dry for a day.
When it is completely dry, it can be painted with special paints or simply treated with finishing solutions.
Molding
Finishing is often carried out by combining various materials, and the highlight of such an interior are moldings.
This concept usually means a wide variety of decorative elements in the form of curly, narrow and long stripes. They can be made of plastic, foam, wood, MDF, metal and other materials.
Moldings go well with all types of wallpaper and decorative plaster. Such strips are installed at both ends of the arch and secured with liquid nails. For the best combination with the interior, it is recommended to use such elements not only to decorate the opening, but also to decorate the surfaces surrounding it.
Products made of polyurethane
Recently, arches are often finished using polyurethane. This is a dense and fairly flexible material from which decorative elements are made. white in the form of stucco.
This finishing is attractive because its cost is much lower than, say, decorating with stone or tiles. Installation of polyurethane is very simple - using specially designed glue. The lining of the opening can be done in two versions. In the first, the arch is decorated simultaneously with both the internal and external outside. In this case, the vertical racks can be designed in the form of round or square columns, expanding upward.
If massive structures do not fit into the surrounding interior, you can only make edging of the corners from more elegant elements.
Natural and artificial stone
Finishing an arch with decorative stone is the most labor-intensive process, but the result is always impressive. This type of cladding looks most impressive when not only the passage is finished, but also part of the adjacent walls. Both symmetry and asymmetry are relevant here. If the openings are located close to each other, you can decorate the interior with smoothly transitioning cladding from one arch to another. Regardless of which option is selected, natural materials always look rich and impressive.
Another advantage of the stone is that it does not require a perfectly smooth surface, which eliminates the need for thorough preparation.
However, there are also difficulties associated with using this material.
First of all, it is its weight. Natural stones It is not recommended to use it for cladding structures made of plasterboard, as this can lead to deformation and even destruction of the opening. Here it is better to use plaster or acrylic imitation, which looks no less elegant.
Also, finishing the arch with stone becomes very difficult in rounded areas. Inexperienced craftsmen have to tinker with it in order to do the job beautifully and efficiently.
Installation of decorative stone
Facing is carried out in several stages:
1. The surface is puttied to remove large irregularities.
2. Prepare the adhesive composition. The most commonly used mixture is lime, cement, sand and glue. If light grades or gypsum imitation were chosen for finishing, you can fasten them using ordinary liquid nails.
3. The first stone is laid at the very bottom, at the junction of the wall and the arched opening. It is leveled and pressed tightly against the wall. To avoid having to seal the corners at the end of the work, the material is overlapped. To do this, the tiles of the first row from the floor are attached flush to the opening, and the tiles of the second row are moved inward by a distance equal to its own thickness. So, by alternating rows, the entire cladding is done.
4. When finishing the arched part of the opening, the material is applied to the arch, the cut line is marked and all excess is removed. Here you can use special nippers or an angle grinder.
5. All angular and sharp edges are carefully sanded with a file.
6. The resulting seams are filled with a special grout.
Mosaic
Decorative finishing of an arch in places of high humidity (such as a bathhouse, bathtub, kitchen) is most often done using mosaics.
In this option, it is possible to use products made of glass, ceramics, metal, concrete or tiles. The material is laid out on a prepared and smoothed surface, where it is attached to a specialized compound. The glue is applied with a notched trowel simultaneously to the wall and the tile, after which the product is pressed tightly to the surface. The seams are carefully rubbed with special colored compounds.
Using patterned tiles makes laying a little more difficult as the material must be positioned according to the pattern, but the end result is well worth the effort.
Conclusion
The modern construction market is so diverse that it is simply impossible to list all the options for cladding doorways. Designers are increasingly using bamboo, textile, mirror, forged and other elements to create interiors. We tried to consider the most popular materials that can be used to decorate an arch. The photos presented in this article will help you get an idea of this or that method of decoration, and maybe lead you to create your own project. We hope that the recommendations outlined will provide significant assistance to all beginning craftsmen.