Decorative decoration of arches: wallpaper, wood, tile, mosaic, stone

Decoration of a wall niche, window or interior opening allows you to transform any interior. However, the decorative value of the arch acquires only with the right selection of finishing materials and competent execution of installation work.

Selection of material for finishing

For decorative decoration of arches a huge variety of materials is used, each of which has a number of advantages and disadvantages.

Natural wood

The arches, trimmed with natural wood, give the room a certain amount of solidity, stylishness and nobility, harmoniously combining with any interior design, whether it be classic, hi-tech or modern.

Undoubted advantages of wooden constructions are:

• ecological compatibility;
• uniqueness of the pattern, formed by annual rings;
• high strength characteristics characteristic of hardwood species, including mahogany, oak, walnut, ash;
• retains a presentable appearance for many years.

However, the structure of the solid wood has a number of drawbacks:

• low moisture resistance;
• susceptibility to deformation in conditions of high humidity, sudden temperature changes and other similar factors;
• large weight of individual components of the construction makes it difficult to conduct the installation on its own;
• high cost.

As a rule, the decoration of arches with wood from valuable species is carried out by manufacturing a finished structure on order with the subsequent installation by specialists of the company.

MDF panels

A practically equivalent alternative to natural wood are MDF panels, the production of which is based on the pressing of wood chips. Depending on the top coating, MDF panels are distinguished:

• laminated. Obtained plates are covered with PVC film, imitating the texture of wood and increasing the strength of the product;

• veneered. Finished plates are pressed with a thin layer of wood, after which the front side of the product is covered with a protective varnish.

Veneered panels differ from laminated materials with higher cost and better performance.

Advantages of MDF panels with respect to natural wood constructions:

• environmentally friendly due to the absence of harmful substances and compounds in the product;
• resistance to temperature changes, moisture;
• easy installation due to the small weight of the panels;
• low cost.

Despite a lot of positive sides, the MDF panels are inferior to the arches decorated with real wood:

• lightness of damage by means of a point impact;
• under the influence of sunlight gradually lose the original shade;
• is a small operating period, rarely exceeding 5-7 years.

Decoration of interior arches of MDF panels with a small patency for several years increases the service life, while retaining the original design.

Stopper for finishing

The interior arches are looking original, the decoration of which is made using cork material, presented:

• Panels. The basis of the products is a pressed cork, on top of which is placed a thin veneer impregnated with wax. The minimum thickness of the cork panels is 3 mm.

• Roll products, the structure of which is similar to the cork panels, the only difference is that not all product series are exposed to wax impregnation. In this case, the web material can have a variety of color assortments by staining the face and / or backsheet.

• Wallpapers consisting of a paper base and a thin sheet of veneer glued to the base. Quite often cork wallpaper has a self-adhesive layer, greatly simplifying the installation work.

Pros:

• resistance to point impacts;
• prevents the accumulation of dust;
• do not lose their original shade over a long period;
• have antibacterial characteristics, preventing the formation of mold;
• service life is 10-20 years.

Cons:

• untreated wax coatings quickly deformed in conditions of high humidity of the room;
• ability to absorb odors;
• high price.

When choosing a cork material, preference should be given to a coating treated with wax.

Wallpapers for the arch

Decorating arches wallpaper refers to the most popular and, at the same time, budget option due to a number of advantages over other finishing materials, among which:

• a variety of colors, textures, ornaments;
• simplicity of gluing;
• possibility of wet cleaning using non-aggressive detergents;
• affordable price.

Disadvantages:

• easy damage both during gluing and during operation;
• fading over a short period of time;
• fragility.

When choosing canvases you should prefer a one-color non-woven, vinyl, bamboo or fiberglass wallpaper. Perhaps the presence of a small or abstract picture, not requiring overlapping with the ornament on the wallpaper, which are pasted adjacent to the arch wall.

Arch Tile

The tiling of the arch is less common, but to this day the best-selling method. Pros:

• wide range of colors;
• high resistance to moisture;
• retaining its original characteristics for many years;
• easy care;
• operating time.

Cons:

• the considerable weight of a tile requires the presence of a strong arch structure;
• laboriousness of work, requiring certain skills or attracting specialists;
• high cost.

Optimum choice - narrow tiles of small size, allowing to minimize waste during the course of facing works.

Decorative stone

Especially popular in recent years is the decoration of the arch with a decorative stone, perfectly combined with other building materials. Artificial stone is made of expanded clay, pumice, cement with the addition of mineral pigments, the combination of which allows to achieve a full simulation of any natural stones.

Advantages:

• wide choice of shades, textures;
• high resistance to damage;
• moisture resistance;
• simplicity of maintenance during operation;
• durability.

Disadvantages:

• heavy weight;
• complexity of installation;
• high cost.

Along with the tiles, the arch facing is preferable to a small stone, which greatly facilitates the installation in the vaulted part of the structure.

Mosaic for the arch

Decorating the arch with mosaics is a rather painstaking process, which at the conclusion of the works pours out into a fascinating spectacle. Advantages of the mosaic:

• variety of sizes, shapes and colors;
• moisture resistance;
• high strength;
• wear resistance;
• durability.

Disadvantages:

• duration and laboriousness of work;
• high cost.

At present, metal, ceramic, glass and other types of mosaic are produced, that's why it's not so difficult to choose the option corresponding to the style solution of the interior.

Decorative plaster

Almost the only material that allows you to create a unique masterpiece, showing a little imagination and creativity. Realized decorative plaster in the form of dry and ready mix. In this case, the dry mixture is diluted with ordinary water in the proportion indicated on the instructions attached to the formulation.

Pros:

• the ability to create an arbitrarily expressive or smoothed topography;
• ease of application;
• possibility of multiple staining with special paints;
• , there is no need to thoroughly level the surface before applying plaster;
• low cost.

Cons:

• lightness of mechanical damage;
• impossibility of wet cleaning;
• repair of the damaged area will remain noticeable;
• relatively short operating period.

Decorating the arches in the apartment with decorative plaster is a universal method, requiring a small amount of time and a minimum of skills.

Regardless of the selected material, before the beginning of the finishing works, it is necessary to carefully prepare the working surface in order not to spoil the final result with the decayed decor together with the plaster or the unevenness.

Surface preparation for finishing

The reliability of the fixing of the finishing material depends to a large extent on the conscientiousness of preparation of the working surface, during which it is necessary: ​​

• to remove protruding parts for more than 1 cm, as well as poorly adhering filler, paint;
• docking seams, if the arch is made of sheets of gypsum board, cover with a serpent;
• primed surface;
• to level the working base with putty;
• should be primed.

After complete drying of the primer mixture, you can proceed to the installation work.

Arch trim technology

The process of finishing an arched doorway with panels, wallpaper, stone and other materials is somewhat different.

Paneling

Finishing the arch in the apartment with MDF, plastic, cork panels is possible in the absence of strongly rounded elements of the structure. Installation of selected materials is done on the glue or with the device of the crate.

Mounting on the adhesive is carried out as follows:

• produce a thorough preparation of the surface;
• mark and cut off excess parts of panels before using adhesive;
• on the wrong side of the panel in zigzag stripe, apply liquid nails or specially selected for the material used glue;
• apply the panels to the surface and level the level;
• after 5-10 minutes, after the glue polymerizes, tap the surface of the panel with a rubber hammer, controlling the horizontal level of the building level.

Mounting on the crate does not require surface leveling and looks like this:

• in the archway, construct a crate of wooden bars or metal guides that are fixed to the surface with dowels;
• at the top and bottom of the crate are screwed with self-tapping screws for mounting panels;
• cut into size panels installed in the starting guides and fixed with screws to the crate.

At the end of the finish, the ends of the arch must be ennobled by gluing special corners of the same finishing material.

Wallpaper finishing

The technology of wallpapering depends on the type of wallpaper.

For thin wallpaper without the use of plastic corners:

• a strip of wallpaper is pasted on the wall adjacent to the arch so that the edges of the canvas protrude beyond the arch for 2-3 cm;
• on the projected stock every 2 cm make zigzag cuts and the resulting tabs of the web are bent to the inner surface of the arch, carefully rolling with a roller;
• similarly produce pasting of walls from the other side of the arch;
• cut out a strip of wallpaper, the dimensions of which correspond to the width and length of the inner arch of the arch;
• pasting the inner surface of the arch is made from the bottom upwards, thoroughly rolling with a roller to get rid of air bubbles.

If the length of one strip of wallpaper is not enough, the joint of the two strips is located in the center of the arch. If you want to use 3 strips of wallpaper, the joints are determined at the level of the arch of the arch with the vertical planes.

When using textile or vinyl wallpaper with framing:

• , the wallpaper on the walls adjacent to the arch is cut off along the arch boundaries;
• cut out a strip of wallpaper according to the dimensions of the inner surface of the arch and paste it;
• if necessary, the excess is cut with a clerical knife;
• after 2-3 days, when the glue dries, fix the selected type of corner on the protruding elements of the arch.

Cork wallpaper is glued similarly non-woven, with the only difference that you use a ready acrylic or contact adhesive, which is applied to both the wallpaper and the surface to be glued.

Decorative stone or tile

As a rule, stone facing is made not only with respect to the archway, but also part of adjacent walls to the wall by symmetrical or asymmetrical placement.

Procedure for preparation:

• on pre-grounded and primed surfaces, incisions are made to improve the adhesion of the material to the surface;
• intended for mounting stones are laid out on the floor and select the most advantageous combination of relief, pattern, overflow;
• with a metal brush clean the underside of the material from frothy irregularities.

The finish of the opening is made with the use of cement mortar, or liquid nails from the bottom up. At the same time, the walls adjacent to the arch are initially faced:

• , the glue is applied to the wall and to the stone, not exceeding the 1 cm layer, otherwise the tile will slide down;
• the first stone is laid on the joint of the archway and the wall;
• on top of the first lay the second stone, shifting it towards the opening on the thickness of the stone;
• the alternation of the masonry is repeated to the intended level, which avoids sloppy angles and the use of framing elements in the form of corners, skirting boards and other elements;
• trim inside the archway is also lapped.

For finishing the top of the arch:

• , a dry tile / stone is applied to the intended place of adhesion;A pencil marks the line of surplus, which is used several times by a construction knife;
• unnecessary part break off by means of pliers;
• burrs and bumps are removed with a file and sandpaper.

After 1-2 days after the end of the facing work, the joints are started:

• the building syringe is filled with a trowelling mortar;
• to obtain a pronounced relief of the seams fill, not reaching the top edge of the stone for 3-4 mm;
• to obtain a smoothed relief seam fill level with the upper boundary of the stone;
• after 30-40 minutes the filled seams are smoothed using a special spatula or spatula, getting rid of unevenness.

Tiles are tiled in the same way as a decorative stone.

Mosaic finish

Easier and faster to lick the arch with a mosaic, assembled into small matrices. Fixation of individual modules in the matrix is ​​carried out using paper, on which the mosaic is placed face down, and a fine mesh, which serves as the basis for gluing the modules with the wrong side down. Since the mosaic is made of different materials, transparent glue composition is used for mounting transparent modules, and for opaque modules - white.

The process of finishing the arch with a mosaic is as follows:

• Applying the matrix, the working surface area is divided into individual segments according to the matrix dimensions.
• With a notched trowel, glue is applied to the wall to place a single matrix.
• Carefully heat the set of modules in the adhesive composition, preventing the glue from reaching the front surface of the mosaic and correcting the horizontality of the matrix placement by the building level.
• Similarly, the laying of all necessary elements is repeated.
• After setting the adhesive solution, the protective layer of the mosaic is removed.
• Grouting joints in a vertical and horizontal direction using a rubber spatula.
• An hour after the application of grout remove the excess solution by moving the spatula in the diagonal directions.

Upon completion of work, the mosaic must be wiped with a damp sponge to remove traces of grout, without exerting any special effort to avoid washing it out of the seams.

In the process of finishing the arch with their own hands, it is necessary to control the horizontality of all matrix modules, so it is better for a person, unsure of their abilities, to entrust the work to a professional specialist.

Finishing with decorative plaster

With the use of decorative plaster, the finish of the arch, the photo of which is presented below, is carried out in a relatively short time as follows:

• A small layer of plaster is applied to the prepared surface.
• By means of a grater, a sponge and other improvised means form a pattern and a relief of the future surface.
• If the relief is not sufficiently expressed, plaster is added in the right places only after the first layer has dried. To give a decorative effect, it is often necessary to apply several layers of plaster.

After finishing work and drying the surface thoroughly( 1-2 days), paint the arch, apply varnish or other protective coating.

More clearly you can see the finish of the arch video:

Application of corners

No matter how strong the material is chosen for the finish of the arch and the adjacent walls, but the protruding parts of the construction begin to wear out,.Extend the term of decorative finishing will help the use as an additional frame skirting boards and corners from MDF, plastic, wood and other materials, which not only protect the finishing material, but also hide the cracks, chips, and irregularities formed during the installation process.

The installation of the corners is carried out by glue or liquid nails, which are applied to the inside of the material at the end of the finish. In this case, the finish of the arch corner starts from the side and ends with a vaulted part.

Additional elements in the form of corners, skirting boards should be selected for several tones darker or lighter than the basic finish, to more clearly emphasize the shape of the arch.

Decorative decoration of arches takes a lot of time and requires special care. Compliance with all stages of finishing with one or another material and slowness in the course of the installation work will result in the finishing of the finish of the arch in a wonderful element of the interior, which for a long time will please the owners of the house and their guests.