Cupola Purchasing Tips

Before you purchase a cupola, make sure that you know exactly where you want to place it, because your cupola needs to fit snugly in its location. A traditional rooftop cupola, for example, will almost necessarily look different from a gazebo cupola.

 

If you decide to purchase a cupola for your roof, you should next determine the size of the cupola that you need. The general rule of thumb is that your cupola should be one inch wide for every foot in the length of your roof ridge line. In other words, if your roof is twenty-two feet long, your cupola should be twenty-two inches wide (and long). This measure, however, is the minimum; some experts suggest 1-¼ inches for every foot of your roof. Before you purchase a specific size, put a box or another item the same size as the cupola on the roof and view it from the ground to see if you are happy with the size.

 

After determining the size of your cupola, you can move on to pick a style, so look at several different styles and choose one that you enjoy. Several styles are named after famous early Americans (e.g. Jefferson, Hamilton, and Madison), but the primary noticeable difference is in the sides of the copper top. Some cupolas roofs have flat sides while others have convex sides. In addition, some cupolas have a purely peaked roof while others have a very small flat surface at their peak.

 

In addition to choosing a cupola roof, make sure you are also happy with the cupola base and that it matches the dimensions of the building’s roof. If you don’t want to do any maintenance on your cupola, purchase a cupola that is aluminum with a wood finish so that you don’t have to paint your cupola. Most cupolas have a square base, but you can also purchase a cupola with a hexagonal or other-shaped base. Consider the height of the base as well, especially in connection with the copper top and with a weathervane, if you plan to use one. How high will the completed structure rise above the roof?

 

Finally, determine if you want to add any non-traditional features to your cupola. For example, do you want your cupola to be accessible from the inside? Do you want to install an electric fan vent in your cupola so that it better vents your home or building at the flip of a switch?