Cupolas and Weathervanes

Many people purchase a cupola primarily to serve as the base for their weathervane. Weathervanes are ornaments (often depicting animals) that turn in the wind to point out the direction in which the wind is blowing. While you can have a weathervane without a cupola and mount it on top or on the side of your roof, the image of a weathervane atop a cupola is especially impressive.

 

First, however, you need to make sure that your cupola will accept a weathervane, as not all cupolas are weathervane-ready. Before you purchase a cupola, ask the manufacturer whether it is ready for a weathervane and/or if they will give you plans for installing a weathervane into your cupola. 

 

Preparing a cupola for a weathervane basically involves drilling a hole through the top of the cupola and attaching a wooden brace inside the cupola. Cupolas that are sold weathervane-ready already have this hole and brace. The hole is the size of the steel rod, which serves as the central axis of the weathervane. The rod extends into the cupola and meets the brace. The brace should be a single 2x4 piece of lumber that attaches to opposite sides of the cupola interior; you can place it either above or below the louvers.