Such an architectural element as an arch, known since antiquity, is becoming more and more popular in modern interior design. The use of an arch indoors carries many functions. The arch makes the home not only more original, but also adds comfort. And if earlier they were used for decoration in palaces and estates, today arched doors are a popular decoration option for any apartment or house.
Features of the
Wooden arches are the embodiment of the natural beauty of solid wood and a variety of design solutions. They can be of any shape and implement even the most original ideas. The arch is able to visually expand the space, make the room more spacious and bright. It is actively used when zoning a room, as well as to hide possible shortcomings. With the help of arches, the geometry of the door opening is often changed.
Any arch includes a vault, side posts and decorative elements. Its curved vault is capable of withstanding heavy loads. It should be borne in mind that when installing a wooden arch, it is very difficult to bend the arch under any conceived shape, therefore, all parts are purchased only after the dimensions and shape of the future opening have been well thought out.
In the manufacture of a wooden arch, various types of wood are used, such as linden, pine, ash and others.
Oak is usually used in rooms with high humidity. But the final cost of the element will be quite large. Pine boards are often used. This type of wood is softer and contains a lot of resin, so it will not rot. Pine is more affordable than oak.
Natural wood can be replaced with MDF boards. It is more convenient to work with them than with a solid array, but in terms of endurance and durability, it is significantly inferior to the latter.
The most economical option is chipboard vaults. A special decorative film is used to cover them. It can be of completely different shades, which allows you to get a very original final version of the product.
As an alternative option for surface coating, veneer veneers of expensive wood species are used.
The veneered product is more durable, less prone to temperature fluctuations and fading under the influence of sunlight.
Views
The type of arch for a particular room is determined by its general design. Often they are made either in accordance with the general tone of the furniture, or in a contrasting color. Among the most common types of arched vaults are the following:
- Classic arch is the most common species. It is performed in the traditional style in the form of a regular semicircle. This design is versatile and fits into any interior design. Such a system is ideal for openings with a height of at least 2.5 meters. Half the width of the doorway is the radius of curvature.
- Elliptical arch it is recommended to make for a low doorway. She laconically focuses on the uniqueness of the interior.
- For wooden arch the romantic style is characterized by a straight center frame and rounded corners, the radius of which depends on individual parameters. It is determined, first of all, by the style of the room and its size. This design is quite compact and takes up little space.
- Portal construction it is easier and more convenient to install. It is also suitable for rectangular doorways. Wooden portals are often used in offices, as they add chic elements to the interior and enhance the status of the room. In addition, such arched vaults are part of the interior in a modern minimalist style. Installation of this type of structure requires minimal costs and preparation of the doorway.
- Arched vault "rocker" installed in doorways of various widths. As a rule, such arches are used in Provence and country styles.
- Exclusive solution in the form of a transom serves to perform two functions. It promotes natural light in small darkened rooms and serves as a decorative function.
- Art Nouveau arch choose for wide openings. It is performed in the form of a regular oval.
- Arched trapezium vault it is also a practically universal option and is easy to manufacture.
Interior wooden arches can also be decorated with various additional elements, such as side shelves, candlesticks, lamps. This will add additional sophistication and comfort to the interior and make it even more luxurious. The front door can also be arched. She looks very original and elite.
How to choose?
The choice of a wooden arch for a doorway depends on many factors. The design of the arched vault is determined by the individual size of the room, the style of interior decoration and the width of the doorway.
Arches are rarely installed in a bedroom or other resting place. But the entrance to the hall or living room, as well as the loggia, are often decorated in this way. The arched vaults in country houses and cottages look very noble due to the large space.
It is advisable to select the arch not only in accordance with color preferences and the desired model, but also from the position, how convenient it will be to be installed in the doorway.
The square arch will look organic in the interior, where clear horizontal and vertical lines prevail. Contrast with smooth transitions will be too conspicuous.
Rounded shapes add sophistication and softness. Such interior arches are installed in the apartment to add sophistication to the interior. They allow you to smooth the corners and beads of the shape of standard openings.
Portals are similar in style to classical architecture and look good in combination with clean muted wall tones. This type of arch is easy to make yourself.
Designer arches for the house are made to order. If you have a lot of space, you can recreate the whole composition with hand carving.
This design will be exclusive and non-standard.
Manufacturing
A simple rectangular model of a wooden arch is relatively easy to make with your own hands. For her, the details of the door frame and its framing can be useful. As for curved structures, more accurate calculations are needed to create them and, accordingly, the complexity of the work increases.
To begin with, the necessary measurements are taken and the shape of future parts is selected. To do this, you need a level or some kind of rounded template. The height and width of the future portal are applied on the paper, and the necessary lines are drawn on the wall.
A standard portal consists of the following parts:
- platbands for both sides;
- two sides;
- details to round corners;
- a board that is installed in the upper transverse part.
Straight parts are cut quite easily, and for rounded parts they use templates, with the help of which the contour is drawn and an opening is cut for mounting the arch. When marking out the contours, you should remember the thickness of the parts and the finish and calculate the area for decoration.
Parts for a wooden arch are usually sawn with a jigsaw, since this does not leave jagged edges around the edges. In addition, this tool is capable of handling a variety of materials.
The most convenient way is to use a full-size template, which is applied to a single piece of material.
The stage following the cutting of parts is surface grinding. The details are aligned on all sides so that the finished opening looks perfect. Grinding is performed with a special machine or fine sandpaper.
The prepared parts can be assembled into a one-piece structure. First, the straight elements of the arch are fixed. Pre-filling the opening will help minimize further effort. But if there are distortions, the tree should not be glued, but fixed on the frame. Material for insulation is additionally laid under it.
The material for the frame can be wooden blocks. The use of metal profiles will be more justified if you plan to use curly elements.
Having fixed the sidewall and the upper straight bar, you can proceed to fastening the roundings. They are installed in a free space. Where the arch connects to the wall, the joints are decorated with plaster or hidden with platbands.
All joints and fasteners are neatly masked. Before installation in the doorway, the tree must be treated with a special antiseptic. It is best to soak the wood with wood stain or cover it with varnish.
In order not to damage the coating, it is better to carry out the work after the installation of the structure.
Interior options
Arches from solid wood can be simple and laconic, or with decorative elements. If finances allow, you can order exclusive designs of an unusual shape, the complexity of which is limited only by the customer's imagination. Vaults can be asymmetrical, contain various shelves and be decorated with wavy and broken lines.
The properties of the tree allow you to create bas-reliefs and carved ornaments on it. The hand-carved figured arch looks luxurious upon entering the living room in a country house. She is an indicator of the high status and wealth of the owners of the house.
A variant of the non-standard design of the door opening is an arch with LED illumination. LEDs of different colors are mounted in the wooden structure. In the dark, such a luminous arch resembles a portal that looks atmospheric and magical.
The arch uniting the kitchen and the balcony is often additionally equipped with a bar counter. This original move allows you to functionally use the space and, moreover, beautifully decorate the doorway.
Wooden interior arches have a lot of possibilities for the embodiment of creative interior design. They not only decorate the doorway, but also allow you to visually expand the space, add more natural light to the room and simply apply a non-standard solution during the renovation. Depending on the type of arch, the design will be appropriate in any interior and may become one of its highlights.
You will learn more about wooden arches in the following video.