Fire Safety Encyclopedia

Arch made of wood: types of construction. Components, assembly and installation. Wooden arches How to make a wooden arch with your own hands

How to make an arch with your own hands? This question worries many who dared to make the design of the interior opening on their own.

A do-it-yourself door arch made with your own hands will make you proud of yourself, thereby allowing you to add something original and unique to the interior of a room or bedroom. Despite the fact that many newcomers are plagued by vague doubts, in fact there is nothing terrible in this work, the main thing is desire. If you have it, our detailed work plan will help you!

What is an arch and its varieties

An arch is an ancient architectural element that is increasingly used as an internal decorative element of an entrance or interior door, more precisely a doorway. An arch is a universal opening in the wall, which is capable of giving "volume" to a small room, and at the same time, zoning an apartment of a small square.

Taking into account the wishes of the homeowners, thanks to the arches, designers can translate different ideas into reality, giving the doorway a different look. Today, modern materials allow you to give arches a different geometric shape, as well as form intricate vaults. Most often, for the manufacture of arches and their facing are used:

  • Brick.
  • Wooden bar.
  • Plywood.
  • Tiles.
  • GKL, etc.

The structure of the arch is a support for partitions and walls. But, since doorways in high-rise buildings are not load-bearing, the only requirement that is put forward for them is to withstand their own weight (with finishing finishing material). If the wall is load-bearing, the material must be selected according to external loads.

Any version of the arch, which is mounted instead of a door, performs an exclusively decorative function. The frame of the structure can even be made from a light profile for fiberboard or chipboard, you can also use a wooden beam. The only important point is reliable fixation of the partition, so that the decor does not fall off and does not deform after a few days.


As we noted, the design of the house can be beautifully complemented with an arch, because there is a huge variety of its forms. They can be done in a classic or romantic style. Art Nouveau is also often used. The elliptical shape, trapezoid, "portal" and many others are equally popular.

The first example is made as a regular semi-arch, in the form of a semicircle. In the last photo you can see a square interior opening, called a "portal". This design method is performed in strict observance of rectangular outlines. All other samples are intermediate variations between the two basic shapes.

But, these are not all options. You can also experiment with side supports, curved struts, etc. You can decorate the form and decorate it in different styles, the main thing is that the passage harmoniously fits into the home interior. In some apartments, a classic and a round, correctly bent vault look great, in others - portals, it all depends on the taste preferences of the owners. Pay attention to the advice of experienced finishers:

  1. Classic arches are best done in apartments with high ceilings, at least 3 m.
  2. In high-rise panel-type buildings, it is better to frame the doorway in the Art Nouveau style.
  3. Decorating wide doorways from the corridor to the hall is preferable in a romantic style, for which wide racks are selected.
  4. The decoration of the "portal" opening goes well with the interior of the room, which uses clear lines. "Portal" is ideal for houses that are made of lining, logs or timber. This combination is very elegant and harmonious.

What materials can be used to form arches?


To make an arched vault, you need to stock up on the following material:

  • Plasterboard sheets.
  • Plywood.

It is worth noting that it is best to sheathe the frame with sheets of drywall, because in the future it can be decorated with various decorative materials. But, if you need to create a more sophisticated shape, choose sheets of plywood, as it bends better. The preparation of the arched frame is formed from:

  • Metal profile.
  • Wood beams.

But, for the construction of an arch, you can also take concrete, aerated concrete and brick, which you can decorate with finishing material. Despite the fact that such structures are solid, it is forbidden to erect them in high-rise buildings due to their heavy weight. It is also prohibited to manufacture a door frame made of metal, which, moreover, will cost a pretty penny. And how to make an arch in an apartment with your own hands from metal? After all, this is a very laborious process that requires the use of specialized devices. That is why drywall is the most acceptable material for decorating apartments.

How to make an interior arch. Step by step instructions (video)

How to make a wooden arch?

An arch made of wood with your own hands, or rather a wooden frame, is formed without much effort. But, in addition to wood blocks, plywood sheets will also come in handy. The first thing to do is measure the width of the passage, subtract the thickness of the materials, after which we get the optimal thickness of the wooden beams. Then an arc is drawn on the plywood, which is cut with a jigsaw.

Subsequent installation is carried out with self-tapping screws (5cm), which fix the beams to the plywood. The arch in the doorway is also fixed with self-tapping screws, which are screwed in at a distance of 15 cm. The final stage is fixing the 2nd plywood wall and its subsequent sheathing with drywall sheets. Note that you need to fix the drywall sheets with special self-tapping screws for working on drywall.

We mount an arch from plywood

How to make an arch with your own hands from wood without using natural material? Today it is not difficult, because wood can be replaced with plywood. To correctly calculate the amount of materials required, including fittings, the first thing experienced finishers do is create a sketch.


To work with plywood, you will need the following handy tool:

  • Jigsaw (or hacksaw).
  • Drill.
  • Screwdriver.
  • Sandpaper.
  • Finishing fixtures.

Since plywood is a fairly unique material that allows you to create original and unusual shapes, you need to work with it, following the step-by-step instructions:

  1. Measure the doorway and mark how large the arch will be.
  2. Then you need to cut the strip and carefully process it.
  3. The resulting strip is slightly moistened and left for a while.
  4. After the performed manipulations, the plywood will be pliable and will easily take the required shape.
  5. The prepared bar is bent in the right way and immediately inserted into the required doorway, carefully fixed and spacers are installed in the corners.

Forming an arch from plywood. After the canvas is installed, you need to wait a little until the sheet is completely dry and takes on its final appearance. At the next stage, you can act in two scenarios:

  • Form inserts from wooden blocks and sew up the surface with plasterboard.
  • Use polyurethane foam by filling the voids with it.

Installing a drywall arch

Working with drywall, like with plywood, is very similar and not difficult, but cheap. If you have the opportunity to erect walls and form an arch at the same time, this way you can finish the work as quickly as possible. Before forming an arch, you need to stage-by-stage surface preparation, namely:

  • Dismantle the old door panel, decorative strips, platbands and other fittings.
  • Repair any damage to the walls to avoid trouble in the future.
  • Get tools.
  • Draw up a detailed work plan and sketch.

You can put a drywall arch in different ways, then we will describe each method in more detail. The first option is the most popular:

  • Take 2 sheets of drywall, one of which is cut in half.
  • In the doors, a U-shaped frame is formed using a metal profile.

  • One segment is fixed on the frame, having previously marked it into 2 equal parts and marking the center.
  • A hole is drilled in the rail at the edge and in the center. The distance between them should be equal to the middle of the arc of the formed arch. To do this, determine what distance will be observed between the edges of the semicircle.
  • Then a curved line is drawn, with the help of which the hole in the middle of the rail is connected to the center of the piece of drywall sheet, which is fixed on the frame. It is immediately worth checking if the height of such an opening is suitable.
  • Then the sheet is removed and the excess is cut off, after which it is again fixed on the frame.
  • The second drywall sheet is placed on the opposite side. Taking the corner and the first segment (like a stencil), transfer the dimensions of the arc. Further, the cutting of the arc and its fixation are repeated according to the same scheme.
  • After the work done, a void is obtained, into which the frame is mounted. For this, the profile is cut and bent. The resulting structure is fixed to the racks and drywall. It is also worth installing jumpers for the reliability and strength of the structure.

  • Next, cut out the necessary strip, bend it, and make deep cuts from the inside out. You need to fix it without haste, with gentle movements.
  • That's all, the arch is formed. The only thing left to do is to paste over the wallpaper or paint it in the desired colors.

The second way is much more complicated. The masonry is formed using the following technology:

  • Sections of drywall are fixed from the corners on both sides using a mixture of PVA glue and water.
  • Drywall is cut so that each next piece is smaller than the previous one.
  • Work continues until the smallest fragment is installed.
  • Self-tapping screws or anchors are used as additional fixation.

This is just a preparatory process. Further it will be even more difficult. The next step will require plaster and putty. Large expansions and other defects are covered with plaster, and a smooth arc is created with putty mortar. This is a rather painstaking work that requires the firm and experienced hand of a master, so it is better for a beginner to immediately purchase template blanks.

Step-by-step instruction

If you decide to carry out work on the installation of an arch in the hallway, in the kitchen or on the balcony, follow the recommendations below:

  • Dismantle the old door and trim.
  • Expand the doorway to the desired size.
  • Trim the walls and patch up any imperfections.
  • If the structure will be backlit, conduct the wiring.
  • Take all measurements in different places to minimize errors.
  • For uneven walls, select the arch depth at the thickest point.
  • Do not be too lazy to make a sketch in full size (this will allow not only to carry out the installation of the arch as accurately as possible, but also to estimate in advance how the arch will look like).
  • You need to start work on installing the supporting frame in the following sequence:
  • Along the perimeter of the doorway, create a basic outline from the profile and fix it to the wall.
  • Fix the frame system.

  • Install the vertical guides with an indent from the plane of the interior surface by the thickness of the drywall and add 2 mm to the data (the margin is made for plaster).
  • With plaster, the surface must be rolled out to maximum evenness.
  • To create a semicircle from the profile, cuts are made on it with a step of 5-7 cm.
  • When an ideal curve is formed from the profile, it is installed in the right place and fixed to the frame.
  • For greater strength, the arc must be fixed with several hangers to the horizontal upper rail.
  • Then the crossbars are installed in increments of 40-60cm.
  • The result should be a structure of metal profiles in the shape of an arch for further cladding.

Finishing

When the arched frame is ready and sheathed, finishing work can begin. To do this, you need to glue the edges and joints of materials with paper specialized tape or fiberglass mesh. You will also need to apply at least 3 layers of putty and sand the structure. After you are convinced of the reliability of the formed structure, you can proceed by observing some of the recommendations below.

To do all the finishing work, you need to purchase an acrylic putty, which is intended for interior work. But, mind you, it is better to act with a special mass for drywall. Before use, the putty mass is thoroughly stirred until smooth.


When starting work, put on gloves and other personal protective equipment! The putty is applied in linear movements with a rectangular trowel. In addition to filling all the irregularities and joints of materials with the putty, it must also be applied to the caps of the screws so that their edging does not appear. Similar actions are carried out until the surface is perfect.

After filling, you can start gluing the joint and edges to remove all kinds of irregularities and give the material strength. To do this, you can use a fiberglass mesh or paper tape, it all depends on your preference (both are good). Cut a piece of the mesh and place it on the joint (in the very center), pressing it with your fingers into the not yet dried putty. Check if the tape is securely fixed and not wrinkled.


After all the joints have been processed with mesh, you can cover the curved parts of the arch with it. You need to do the work in a similar way. When the mesh forms folds during the processing of arcuate sections, they can be straightened by cutting the canvas with a sharp knife.

After drying, the putty will become snow-white. This will be a signal to take the sandpaper and go to smooth the surfaces. But, work carefully, do not remove too much putty, so as not to expose the mesh. For this work, use a respirator, because during the grinding of the surface there will be a lot of dust, which is very harmful to human lungs.

When all 3 layers of putty are applied and the surface is cleaned, you need to wait about 12 hours for the structure to dry completely. Sand again with fine grit to achieve a perfect surface. That's all, you can decorate the surface.

Arch decoration

It does not matter at all what material you used to install the arch, because even a brick arch made with your own hands needs a final design. To decorate the door vault, you can use the following techniques:

  • Painting to match the walls.
  • Sheathing with wood blocks (as an option, laminate, siding, etc. are often used for this).
  • Wallpapering.
  • Use an artificial stone based on gypsum.
  • Decorate the structure with mirrors or mosaics (small pebbles, corks, glass, etc. can be used for mosaics).
  • Use foam molding or surface painting.

Important! Try not to overdo it, so as not to clutter up the passage and not to mix the incompatible. It is worth noting that sometimes ordinary painting is enough to add elegance.

As you can see, there are a lot of finishing options, for which you can use not only natural materials. It all depends on the idea of ​​the designer and the wishes of the owners, as well as the general style of the room. The classic additional interior can be supplemented with stucco moldings, fabrics, so that everything is harmoniously combined together. The finishing of the columns looks no less laconic if clinker is glued to them.

Ready-made arch kits


If you are not confident in your own abilities, and the training video lessons from the Internet are not entirely clear to you, you can make your life much easier by buying a ready-made kit for forming an arch. Such kits can be made from different materials, have different designs, colors, designs and textures, which will allow each person to find the most suitable option. The most suitable option is a set of fiberboard or MDF. These materials are very similar to wood, but are less difficult to handle and install. The ready-made standard set of the interior arch is included.

The opening between rooms does not always imply a door. Very often, modern design provides for the creation in this place of a structure of an original form - an arch. It allows you to decorate this space stylishly, beautifully and functional. The arch can not only be an element of the interior, it can visually enlarge the space. At the same time, effective zoning of the room is within her power.

There are many options for creating an attractive interior arch. The use of plasterboard construction is very popular, but nothing beats the manufacture of a structure out of wood. It looks natural and is used in a more practical way.

Therefore, we will figure out how such a structure can be made by hand, for which we use photo and video materials.

Views

It should be understood that, despite the classic arches that are erected to the ceiling, interior doorways are not much different in size from ordinary openings. And therefore, two groups of structures can be distinguished: which require the destruction of walls and which do not require such an action. The first ones look like an arc, they are integrated into the existing space of the opening.

The latter have the appearance of a vault, but according to their characteristics, they are an ordinary rectangle. This approach requires less effort than in the first case, but the portal uses less space in the upper part.

It should be noted that the modern market makes it possible to purchase a finished product, which can then be inserted into the doorway, as shown in the photo. It can even be carved wooden arches. Such a solution will look harmoniously with wood trim, for example.

The sizes that can be found are 90x210 and 120x210 mm. There may be other options, especially if they are custom made.

The structure is fastened either with glue, or with the need to make holes for fastening with screws. Then they are sealed with putty or closed with decorative plugs. In this case, the structure can be a one-piece product, arches made of solid wood, or it can consist of parts that are assembled into a single structure.

Manufacturing

Making arches from wood is not an easy process that requires attention and some effort. And for a start, it is recommended to decide what the form will be. You can choose from a photo. A popular option is the classic, in which the radius is determined by half the width of the volume. This solution cannot be called effective with low ceilings; for these cases, it is recommended to use the modern arch. If you reduce the solution to a minimum, then you can implement a portal - a rectangular arch made of solid wood, made in the form of the letter "P".

Preparation

To begin with, the interior opening must be prepared. For this, the old door frame is removed, if it is still in place. Then the surface must be cleaned of everything that may interfere with further actions. After that, you can start measuring its dimensions.

  • tape measure and pencil;
  • level;

  • sharp knife;
  • hacksaw for wood;
  • screwdriver;
  • hammer drill or hammer drill.

To make a structure with your own hands, it is recommended to use either a one-piece, custom-made product, or create it from several elements combined into a single composition.

Portal

If you want to create a portal, then this is the easiest solution to implement. You need to purchase a door frame, but not for the installation of the door, but with a completely flat front part. Then, using a drill, you need to drill several holes around the perimeter to be able to fix it. It is necessary to mark these points on the opening, for which the structure is applied, marks are made. We drill holes through them using a hammer drill or hammer drill. It remains to insert the dowels. Next, put the box back on and fix it with screws.

It remains only to decorate the box with platbands. They must be matched to the color. We measure and cut the products at 45 degrees to join the elements. Basically, you need to cut off two doorways to close the box on both sides.

Multi-piece construction

It is more difficult when you need to do a DIY installation of a structure that includes several elements. In this case, you will have to work hard not only on fixing them to the wall, but also on their joining, so that as a result, a one-piece structure without defects is formed.

In this case, the shape of the arch under a tree can be, in fact, any. It is only important to harmoniously fit it into the existing doorway.

It is better to start the installation of a multi-component structure from above. In this case, it will be easier to adjust the dimensions so that the product fits into the opening. Further actions are similar to the docking of the portal. Only in this case we get one inconsistency. The traditional doorway is rectangular and the classic arch is arc shaped. If we dock them, we get two triangular holes. Therefore, you will have to take care to close them beautifully, imperceptibly. For this, wood, chipboard, MDF and even drywall are suitable. The main thing then is to hide these elements under the general decoration of the room.

When assembling structural elements, it is recommended not to tighten the screws immediately so that the products can be adjusted to the desired position. And only when there is a perfect match with adjacent parts, can it be fixed completely. This approach will avoid unpleasant inconsistencies.

Finishing

It remains to paint the arch, open it with varnish, or simply soak it with a special substance that will not change its color, but only protect it from external factors. In some cases, wood arches can be used to achieve even more impressive results. This is especially true, for example, for a la baroque style.

Whichever option is chosen for implementation, one thing is clear - door arches made of solid wood are a stylish, bright and presentable solution to a design idea. And if everything is implemented at the proper level, then the harmony and triumph of taste will triumph in the interior, and this is the best praise for a good job.

The company DIZAIN-GR, specializing in the production of furniture and interior elements, offers its customers ample opportunities to create non-standard solutions in the design of premises. For example, on this page you can familiarize yourself with examples of interior arches made of wood made by our specialists. Note! We are ready to implement the most non-standard order, so if you are not interested in any of the options presented in the catalog, just contact the DIZAIN-GR manager. We are confident that we can offer a solution that suits you in all respects.

The advantages of arched structures in the interior

One of the features of interior portals is their versatility. Such designs are great for any interiors. In a small apartment, they help to save useful space and visually expand the space, filling it with light and air. The spacious mansions harmoniously complement the natural wood furnishings and complement the discreet luxury of the classic interior.

As for other advantages of wooden interior arches, these include:

  • Large selection of design solutions. Classic semicircular, with a truncated radius, in the Art Nouveau style - you can still list the various options for a very, very long time.
  • Spectacular appearance. The manufacture of arches from wood allows you to deviate from the standards of typical buildings. Thanks to the use of this design, the interior acquires individuality and its own style.
  • The ability to hide architectural defects. Despite the emergence of new technologies, the quality of housing construction is often poor. In this case, the interior arch allows you to hide the curvature of the doorway, wall irregularities and other flaws.

3 reasons to order an arch from DIZAIN-GR

  1. Vast experience in the manufacture of interior designs. We are confident that we can offer and successfully implement a project that will suit you in all respects.
  2. Loyal pricing. Directly cooperating with manufacturers of materials and accessories, we maintain optimal prices, both for products and for all work.
  3. High quality. Our own production, professional equipment and tools, excellent training and practical experience of specialists - these factors allow us to manufacture products that meet the most stringent quality standards.

Garden arches serve as an exquisite addition to the main structures of the site. In addition to the aesthetic component, they can also carry a functional load: serve as a support for climbing plants, frame the entrance to the personal plot, work on the zoning of the garden and emphasize the style of the architectural and plant complex. A wooden garden arch can be purchased ready-made, made to order, or built with your own hands, because some designs can be done even by inexperienced craftsmen.

Lumber structures - accurate calculation and execution according to drawings

From lumber (timber, board), you can make a variety of stylistically and structurally models of arches of various levels of complexity.

Creating an arch vault - the secrets of professional carpenters

For many lumber arches, the most difficult part of construction is creating the wooden arches that form the top floor. This is actually a laborious process, but with patience and the right tools, it can be done.

Wooden arches fit into any design

Procedure:

  1. Create a plywood template in the form of a semicircle, with the outer and inner diameters corresponding to the dimensions of the arch (with a homemade compass: nail, fishing line, pencil). As an example: the width of the strip (the size of the support beam) is 100 mm, the outer diameter is 1200 mm, and the inner diameter is 1000 mm.
  2. Cut dry unpainted boards with a section of 50 x 125 mm into lengths of 497 mm (according to the formula of a circle inscribed in an octagon - 1200: 2: 1.2071). There should be 16 such segments for two arcs. Use a protractor to set aside 67.5 degrees around the edges and cut the edges off at that angle. Saw two planks in half.
  3. Nail 4 planks to the template, folding half an octagon out of them and sealing the joints with sealant. Apply glue to the entire surface of the future arc and on top also lay the second layer of boards, starting and ending in halves (3 pieces of whole + 2 halves). Fasten the layers with nails or screws, cut with a jigsaw according to the template and remove it, and secure the resulting structure with clamps until completely dry. Assemble the second arc in the same way.
  4. Fix both arcs with the supporting parts upwards at a distance of the arch depth and, checking the horizontal level, connect the left and right supports separately with a board 100 mm wide.
  5. Turn the structure over and, controlling the width of the arch, fill in the transverse slats.

Finished construction, painted with white paint

The most difficult part of making a garden arch from wood with your own hands is behind. Supports - 4 beams with a section of 100x100 mm can be installed by fixing them with a bracket on a concrete foundation or by digging in and concreting to a depth of 60 cm. Wall lathing can be made by filling vertical and horizontal slats or placing them diagonally. Connect each wall from above with a board to which the base of the arched vault will be attached.

Arch with a flat ceiling - neatness and simplicity of execution

Flat overlap structures are easier to manufacture. You can make a garden arch made of wood with your own hands, a photo of the drawing of which is presented below, according to the same principle as with an arched vault, in the part concerning the walls. Overlapping is made easier. The connecting walls of the boards are installed on the edge (it is possible in the grooves) and fixed, and thin slats are stuffed across them. Rounded corners are cut according to a template, and after installation they serve as additional support for the ceiling.

After assembly, the arch can be stained, varnished or painted with acrylic paint for exterior woodwork.

Pergola assembly drawing

Arches made of natural wood materials - originality and variety

Natural, raw materials make it possible to create varied and interesting structures from light, rustic-style twigs to massive structures made from solid raw logs.

The frame is covered with logs on both sides

Folk-style wooden garden arches can be assembled from logs of different diameters, but the same length. To do this, create an arched frame made of strong reinforcement with welded cross-members and a depth equal to the length of the logs and reliably concreted. Staples of logs are attached to it with staples only from the outside or on both sides. Outside the frame, the logs are also fastened together by means of staples. The result is a woodpile with an arched opening.

Rustic vine weaving

Arches from living trees: hard work and skill of a gardener

A garden arch from a tree that continues to grow can be created in two ways. The first is to intertwine the flexible branches of young trees planted in the ground or even placed in voluminous tubs. The second method was invented by Alex Erlandson, who created arbosculptures (sculptures from living trees) by weaving and splicing.

In this way, the well-known arch was also grown, which, with proper patience, you can try to recreate on your site. It is very effective and will surely grab the attention of your neighbors and guests.

Erlandson's famous live arch

You can create many more interesting designs of various designs with your own hands. However, if the personal plot is designed in the style of a Japanese garden or with elements of Chinese architecture, or plans are larger than your capabilities, or you simply do not have enough time, invite specialists. Perhaps they will offer an unexpected and original solution.

Video: wooden arches for the garden

See also the video for various options for arches:

The arch is an original and complementary element of any apartment or house.

Arch is an architectural element in the form of a curved ceiling of a blind or through opening in the wall. They can be used as a structural architectural element, or as a purely decorative element.

Most often, in residential premises, an arch is made of drywall and left in this form:

We propose to make it more complete and beautiful by overlapping it. In our case, we made do-it-yourself wood arch under the opening 30 cm wide.

First, you need to cut the wane of the pine board using a circular, then process the edge on a jointer, and also level it on a thicknessing machine.

Then cut the board into 30 mm thick pieces and calibrate them on a thickness gauge.

Now you need to make a template that will repeat the thickness of the opening and the radius of the arch, which should be 1-2 cm smaller (so that the arch can then be inserted into the opening without any problems). For the template, we use drywall, which we connect to each other with a wooden frame. There is no need to copy the entire arch - only the upper part.

When the template is ready, we cut our blanks into pieces equal to the width of the template.

Then we grease the sides of each block with glue and dock them together on a template.

After the glue dries, remove the arch from the template and glue the back side. We use pieces of fabric to strengthen it.

Place the arch back into the template and start sanding.

Now it's the turn of the arched casing. It will also be made of pieces. To do this, they need to be cut at such an angle that, when docked, they repeat the radius of the arch.

Lubricate the joints with glue and let dry.

The next day we grind the platband, then cut off the edges with a jigsaw and fill in the outer edge with a hand mill.

Now you can attach the trim from both sides to the arch. After that, go through the inner edge with a grinder and grind it.

Then we make a panel.

We insert the panels into the harness and glue them. After that, we nail the vertical platband on each side. The inner part of the uprights should be 0.5-1 cm larger than the thickness of the opening.

These are the two racks turned out in the end.

The last step is to make the stroke. We glue it from 3 parts. In our case, it looks like this:

After painting all the elements of the arch, you can proceed with the installation. First, the arched part is installed, then the racks, and after that the stroke.





The end result is like this do-it-yourself arch made of wood:

Of course, in order to make such an arch out of wood with your own hands, you need to have a minimum set of carpentry tools. If you don't have them, but you really want a wooden arch, you can order it from us. To do this, contact us by phone +380631023397.

Learn more how to make an arch out of wood with your own hands, as well as the installation process, you can see in the video:

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