April 2006 - Arch Product Is Efficient, Effective Alternative
By Mandi Harding, FCA Executive Director

One of the hottest trends in homebuilding in the past few years has been the widespread use of arches and curved surfaces to add an elegant touch to interior and exterior design. The challenge for homebuilders, however, has been to achieve high quality radius curvatures at a reasonable price.

The most common method for framing arched windows, doorways and related curved openings has been the plywood box with blocks often called “plugs”. The immediate problem with the plywood plug is that it takes time to scribe the radius, cut the plywood, cut the blocks and assemble the plug.  The finished quality is entirely dependant on the skill of the person making it.  Even a skilled maker can produce good plugs that have built-in flaws due to the methodology – flaws that will result in costly repairs during or after drywall and finishing stages.  Problems such as untrue or uneven radius cuts, blocks blowing out during drywall nailing, and side tips fraying or breaking of can add significant repair costs or “back-charges”.

Offering a new solution to this old problem is Jerry Profeta of Arch-Pro.

Profeta’s company manufactures and sells the patented line of Arch-Rite wood framing arches.

The Arch-Rite product line originated with Arch-Rite, Inc. of Southern California in 1988 where it has become a viable alternative for most major builders and framing contractors in the region.  The company holds seven patents on wood framing arches and domes with others currently pending. In 2004, Arch-Rite began a national expansion via licensing its patents and manufacturing technology to independent companies servicing the home building industry. Arch-Rite arches are currently sold by Arch-Tek in Texas and Oklahoma, Custom-Arch in the Southeast, and VPL Enterprises in Arizona and Florida…..and now, Arch-Pro in Nevada.

The Arch-Rite arch is designed to eliminate material waste, mitigate time constraints and ward off potentially costly mistakes by replacing the traditional plywood arch. Arch-Pro’s product provides unlimited potential in curved framing. Its product line includes barrels, basic interiors, dome kits, dual radius fascias, floor joist rims, igloos, laminated wood beams, soffits, trick interiors and exteriors, universal half tubes and window arches.

An average three-foot opening sold by Arch-Pro costs less than $16. “Even if a plywood plug could be built for that price, quality imperfections and the occasional back charge costs down the road by having to go back to the site and repair or replace the arch makes the Arch-Rite arch all the more attractive.” says Profeta. “Another benefit to using the Arch-Rite product is that it doesn’t require the skills of a top-notch framer to install. They’re so easy to install, almost anyone can have a perfect arched opening in less than 5 minutes.”

With Arch-Pro having opened its doors in Las Vegas only at the beginning of this year, Profeta said there is collaborative business-approach between him, Arch-Rite and his other licensing counterparts. “We all work as a team. We conduct a monthly conference call, which provides us a venue to tackle challenges and share in achievements together. Our primary focus nationwide is to maintain a three-prong approach; a quality product, significant cost-savings and outstanding customer service.”

The Arch-Rite arch is custom-made tailored to the framing contractor’s specific project needs.

“We can bend wood to any radius needed and manufacture each arch to meet any depth, width and rise as needed,” Profeta said. “Our specialized techniques and processes in forming and bending wood allow us to manufacture a complete custom product, but at a mass production price.”

The Arch-Rite arch can be used in both residential and commercial framing construction.

To learn more about the Arch-Rite® line of products, visit www.arch-pros.com to watch a video demonstration of how arches are installed, drywalls and completed. The website is also useful to obtain product information, request a quote and place an order.

Profeta is offering a 10 percent discount to members of the Framing Contractors Association; he can be reached at 702-614-6771 for more information.