How to Add Molding to a Doorless Archway

A simple line of molding dresses up this arched doorway.

A doorless arch opens up the floor plan of your home while recalling classic architectural design, but you may notice that it looks a little plain. While bare edges are simple, you may be more interested in a style that is more elaborate or more elegant. Use flexible molding to create the look you want. Leave it a plain white so it matches your walls or paint it beforehand to give your home a splash of color.

Things You'll Need

• Flexible molding
• Measuring tape
• Saw
• Soft cloth or vacuum
• Wood glue

Instructions

1. Place the flexible molding in the room with the arch for two days. This gives the flexible molding, which is made of resin, time to contract and expand according to the room’s humidity. This prevents the molding from shrinking or swelling once it has been mounted to the wall.

2. Measure the arch with a measuring tape to see how much molding you need. In some cases, you only want trim around the arched part, while in other cases, you will want the frame to go all the way to the baseboard.

3. Cut a length of flexible molding according to the measurements you found in Step 2 using a saw.

4. Clean off any dust or debris from the cut with a soft cloth or vacuum.

5. Apply a thin layer of wood glue to the back of the molding.

6. Fit the molding carefully around the edge of the arched doorway. A wood glue has good holding power, allowing the molding to stick to the wall even before the glue is cured.

7. Allow the glue to cure completely. The cure time is listed on the back of the glue’s packaging.

References

• Flexible Moulding: FAQ