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We're considering raising/squaring off this archway, to add an internal door. The upper section above the gap sounds hollow, so I'm assuming is a wooden frame/plaster board. What would be the easiest way to remove that curved section? Just use a multi tool to cut into it and see what I find?



Alternatively, if we leave as is, we'd like the right hand side tidied (where it transitions into the wall), but it seems to have some kind of paper edging which has been painted over. If the plasterer reshapes that taper, does that paper need to be removed beforehand or is it some kind of special edging that is designed to be skimmed over?

I would imagine that it is as you suspect. Looks to me as if at some point someone has connected two rooms with this opening . For the purpose of just looking then yes go ahead with your multitool . Cut an opening inside the "triangle " of the arch , I suspect it will just be a timber frame but if it isn't and it's going to be a pain to remove it should be easy to replace the piece you've cut out. The paper shown in your last photo looks to me to be lining paper that has been cut to wrap around the arch.
Personally I'd remove the arch , if nothing else it doesn't look to have been done to a high standard and doesn't really add anything I feel.

There might be a lintel above the highest point of the arch if that is a load bearing wall. A process used to form the arch was to form a row of parallel cuts in a plasterboard panel and this would allow the PB to bend to form a curve around a timber former. I suspect that the paper showing is the edge cover over the join. You could build stud framework to house your new door and frame. I would think that this would be a job you could do, just get the plasterer to finish it while he is skimming the walls.

DWD

my thoughts
cut half way round the arc to the side about 50mm back at this point there will probably be a hollow space or anything you find will not be required for framing the door lining

Thanks all for suggestions .... i will get the multi tool out at the weekend

dewaltdisney wrote: ↑Sun Mar 16, 2025 10:47 am There might be a lintel above the highest point of the arch if that is a load bearing wall. A process used to form the arch was to form a row of parallel cuts in a plasterboard panel and this would allow the PB to bend to form a curve around a timber former. I suspect that the paper showing is the edge cover over the join. You could build stud framework to house your new door and frame. I would think that this would be a job you could do, just get the plasterer to finish it while he is skimming the walls.

DWD

You greatly overestimate my woodworking skills (they are non existent!). I am happy to pay for pros for work like this :)

I thought you had reasonable DIY skills, building a stud framework is easy enough. Precise measurement, a chop saw, and a drill driver are mostly all you need. We can talk you through it if you want to have a go.

DWD