Creating an arch

Having created an opening in the wall and secured the wall with a lintel, you can attach an arch former. These can be fitted to any type of wall and are usually steel mesh, although ornate plaster models are available. Extending sections can be purchased for large openings. For this project we are looking at fitting a steel mesh former.

• Fix the first section of the arch former to the wall. If the former is being fitted to a timber stud wall use self-tapping screws. If the former is being fitted to a masonry wall cut back the plaster to expose the brickwork and use short masonry nails to fix the former in place. Remember the sections of the former are cut specifically for either the left or right side of the opening.
• Fix the second piece of the former in the same way.
• There may be a small gap at the peak of the arch where the two formers don't quite meet.  To bridge the gap, using tinsnips cut a small section of angle bead about 6mm smaller than the gap. Fit the bridging section in place.
• The underside of the arch is called the soffit. To cover the soffit cut lengths of mesh and fix in position by looping small lengths of wire through the edge of the mesh and former and twisting the ends together. Cut off any excess.
• Once the arch former is in place it can be plastered.
• Plaster the surface of the soffit first, starting at the archway's lowest point and working up towards its peak.
• Then plaster both sides of the arch.