Arch finishing options: materials and technological nuances

Arch finishing is the final stage that will emphasize all the beauty of the structure. It should be noted that this particular work is the most important when it comes to the decorative component. Don't worry - you can do everything completely yourself. The main thing is to show the necessary perseverance and desire. Of course, you cannot do without some experience and the availability of the necessary tools, which are selected depending on the chosen finishing option.

Making an arch in an apartment is a process that is carried out after the main work has been completed. The fact is that such structures are made from various materials, using various technologies. The resulting architectural element serves to decorate the entire interior, giving it some individuality. We must not forget that the cladding can play not only a decorative role, but also a protective function.

Here are some tips to help you achieve the desired effect:

1. The easiest way to decorate an arch in an apartment with your own hands is to highlight the arched opening with the desired color. Often, shades are selected that will contrast with the walls. Thus, it is possible to obtain a complete design with a minimum of effort. This method can be used for other materials as well.
2. Decorating material can be matched to existing colors. For example, if interior arches are lined with MDF panels, then it is desirable to combine them with closely spaced door leaves.
3. You can decorate the structure using various embossing, patterned ribbons that correspond to the general direction of the design.
4. Nowadays, stucco molding is becoming more and more popular. Indeed, this is a great option that allows you to emphasize the interior, decorated in a classic style.
5. The mosaic looks quite peculiar. Its use requires experience in installation. But if everything is done flawlessly, then the effect will be amazing.

Selection and use of materials

How can you decorate an arch? Currently, there are many materials that do an excellent job of this task. We can highlight the most popular ones that deserve special attention:

• Natural and artificial stone. It should be borne in mind that the first type requires more professionalism.
• Cork. Completely natural and environmentally friendly product. Price can be a significant disadvantage.
• Decorative plaster. This option allows you to finish surfaces in such a way that the impression of a natural stone will be added.
• Various types of tiles. They are similar in technology to stone, but give the interior a completely different look.
• Textile. This material requires a special approach to exclude banality and simplicity.

Of course, there are much more products for decorating arches. With a certain desire, completely unusual options can be used. So, for example, the structure looks quite original, which is lined with fitted saw cuts of logs. Technologically, this solution is very simple. The workpieces are cut to the desired size. On the one hand, a cut is made, which will serve as a groove for the edge of the opening. Such blocks are inserted into place, fixing on self-tapping screws.

Wallpaper - simple and affordable

Indeed, this is one of the easiest ways to complete the entire process in a short time. The main thing is that the costs will be minimal.

The whole process is very simple:

1. If required, the surface is leveled before wallpapering the arch.
   

   On a note! Before finishing the drywall arch, a layer of putty is applied to its surface. This is necessary so that in case of a desire to update the finish, the wallpaper does not have to be removed along with the cardboard.

2. After waiting for the applied composition to dry, the glue is prepared. It is kneaded according to the manufacturer's instructions.
3. The wallpaper is cut into strips of the desired length. The sticker carries out strictly vertically, capturing part of the opening. You should get a bend equal to 3-4 cm.
4. To bend the allowance, but avoid creases, cut the edge into corners.
5. Now the most painstaking part of the work - you need to cut a strip that will be glued to the arcuate surface. This must be done so that the existing drawing matches. This area is smoothed from top to bottom. That is, gluing is performed at the highest point, after which the fragment goes down to the bottom.

Although there are some negative factors to consider:

• It is necessary to decorate taking into account the fact that such material is very short-lived. After a while, the surface may acquire a yellowish tint. The feeling of novelty will disappear.
• The use of wallpaper is limited by the location of the opening. It is not recommended to use them for structures that are located in the kitchen area. Even washable types will not save the situation.
• Lack of protective functions. Such a coating is very easy to damage, moreover, from minimal mechanical stress.

Of course, this cannot be said that this method allows you to decorate the arch. But, undoubtedly, it is suitable for many situations that require the work to be done most simply and inexpensively.

Stucco molding - effective and graceful

To get a spectacular arch that attracts the eye, polyurethane stucco molding is used. This is a modern version of the product, which was previously made exclusively from plaster. It is actively used to frame various designs.

This option has its own characteristics. The fact is that it is more suitable for classic interiors. If you use a polyurethane arch in a modern style, then such details may seem completely inappropriate.

Installation is carried out using the following technology:

1. The surfaces are leveled. All areas are well cleaned.
2. All dust is erased. If you leave such flaws, then the gluing will be unreliable.
3. The treated surface should dry well. This period is used to carry out the pegging. You may need to trim parts.
   

   On a note! For trimming at an angle of 45 degrees, a miter box is used. It is important to place the elements correctly in order to avoid the appearance of docking gaps.

4. Now you can start gluing. For this, a special composition is used, which is marked: "suitable for gluing polyurethane products." This substance is applied to the wrong side of the part, which is pressed against the surface and held. If joining is performed, then the glue is spread on one side. It is important to remove the excess immediately. Seams are treated with putty and sanded.

When finishing the arch with polyurethane, it must be borne in mind that all work must be done with special care. Any defects will be very difficult to fix.

Decorative plaster - time-tested

Arched openings can also be decorated with decorative plaster. This method has its positive aspects. This is one of the few options that allows you to get an extremely personalized surface that will be distinguished by its durability.

Some disadvantages cannot be ruled out. So, the coating is very difficult to restore if damaged. If the result of the work is a relief surface, then it must be constantly looked after.

On a note! It is very easy to arrange an arch in an apartment with your own hands if you use special decorative mixtures. They have a long setting time, which allows you to form the necessary texture so as to achieve the desired result.

The order of work is as follows:

• Decorating arches begins with preparing the right amount of mixture. Further, it is transferred to a prepared, well-primed surface. It is important to consider that each layer must have a certain thickness. Their number depends on the chosen decorative type.
• To form the relief much faster, special rollers are used.
• The resulting relief is left to dry. Then they are covered with a primer.

The finished area can now be painted. To get an interesting effect, two shades of paint are applied to the surface. One is filling in the depressions, the other - the ledges.

Stone - reliable and distinctive

Stone is a great solution that will help you create your own flavor in the interior. It is important to consider that it is better to give preference to artificial options. They are much easier to process and do not require professional knowledge. A material that follows the curves of the structure looks best. In this case, an arc.

Actions are performed in the following order:

1. Decorating the arch with your own hands begins with the preparation of the coating. It is important to exclude any drops and defects.
2. A laying scheme is drawn up. Marking is performed on the surface. Nearby, on the floor, material is laid out. This technology will allow you to immediately adjust some elements, distribute them more correctly, and also avoid mistakes.
3. The stone is laid on glue or a special mixture. The technology allows you to create wide joints or do everything without seams.
4. If trimming is performed, the trimmed edges must be processed.

The same technology is used when the question arises of how to decorate an arch in an apartment with tiles. But it should be borne in mind that this material requires adherence to a certain sequence. If the stone can be laid "randomly", then the tile is clear.

Plastic - modern and affordable

Plastic is pretty easy to work with. It is important to understand that not all panels can be bent to the desired angle. Many, especially cheap options, break down quickly. It is much easier to revet an arched opening with plastic panels when it has an angular vault.

The following manipulations are performed:

• Careful surface preparation can be excluded. It is important to understand that often, panels are used to form an entire opening. That is, they act as the main and decorative structural elements.
• A wooden crate is created. It will serve as the foundation around which everything else is built. The slats are laid perpendicular to the panels.
• An arched dome is formed by dividing it into sectors. Often, the division occurs into three parts: top, two extreme fragments.
• The panels are fixed on staples, which are hammered with a stapler along the edges. All joints and transitions hide decorative corners.

How to decorate such a surface additionally? To do this, you can use various decorative elements that will be in harmony with the plastic.

On a note! It is not difficult to revet the arch with your own hands with plastic. The main thing is to choose not the cheapest materials.

Cork - sustainable and stylish

This is a fairly popular destination, which is limited only by the fact that this option can be very expensive. This state of affairs is explained by the fact that cork is a completely natural material.

For work, it is advisable to use roll options. They are great for doing all the work yourself. It is important to consider that before you decorate the arch, located next to the kitchen, with cork material, it must be waxed. This will prevent damage to the coating.

Of course, finishing the arches in an apartment with a cork is an excellent solution, but you need to remember that the overall interior design must be adhered to.

It must be borne in mind that all finishing work must be carried out in strict observance of the existing rules. Then such an architectural element will become a real decoration.

Finishing options for arched openings (20 photos)