I cut an opening into a plaster wall between the kitchen and living room. The opening is approximately 5' 6" wide and 3' high. I framed out an arch at the top of the opening with 1/2" plywood. The curve of the arch starts 18" down on each side of the opening and meets in the middle of the opening to form the curve. I am using 1/2" drywall, corner bead and joint compound to finish the project in order to match the uneven plaster. My question is, how do I bend the piece of 1/2" drywall (which is 5 1/2" wide by 71" long) to fit and cover the arch for finishing without breaking the drywall?
Should I wet or score the back of the drywall so it will bend easier? Should I use 3/8" drywall or some other material? Thanks in advance for you time.

 

Welcome to the forums Mick

Curves are best made by using 1/4" drywall. 1/4" isn't usually sold anywhere but drywall supply houses. You maybe able to wet the 1/2" but it is difficult to get a good even bend. Scoring the drywall may help but it does weaken the sheetrock. As you already know the better it is hung the easier it will be to finish it.

 

Definately spring for a thinner material 3/8" thick maximum, 1/4" is better. What will hapen with the 1/2" due to it being so thick when you start bringing the radius around where it will meet the wall you present 2 problems. 1 you have a lot of build up to deal with to blend into the existing wall so it flows properly, and 2. alot of times even when wetting the back side it will break into sections giving a blocky type radius. Once you apply the corner bead most of it is easily covered with mud since the flexible corner bead will be your knife guide, but it can pose a problem for undexperienced drywallers.