Add A Touch Of Class With A Cupola

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Add A Touch Of Class With A Cupola

Sunday, July 5th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed

by Annette Ceivers

Property remodeling seems to get kicked into overdrive with the first hint of nice weather. You spent the cold winter months planning just how you’d improve your property, now it’s time to actually put that plan into action! Of course, sometimes remodeling is as simple as adding a nice touch or two to your home, shed or barn - such as a custom-designed cupola!

A cupola can be added to just about any building to add a touch of country class. They’re typically a small dome-shaped structure with a metal roof. Generally, a cupola looks a bit like a tiny belfry without the bell. Adding a cupola to your home or barn not only adds curb appeal, it can often help a stuffy space with ventilation.

As with many trends, the cupola is a past design trend now repeating itself. You may notice many old houses and barns with a cute cupola perched on top. Newer houses rarely have them - unless the owners make a conscious choice to give their home a bit more country appeal. Which, today, more people seem to be doing.

A cupola can add just that special touch you’re looking for to give your home or building more appeal. With a variety of styles, anyone can find a cupola to fit their home perfectly. They can be made in a variety of shapes and colors and since most cupolas can be made from weather resistant material, they involve very little cleaning and upkeep through the years.

A cupola consists of a small house-shaped structure, usually with a metal roof. The body of the cupola can be square, rounded, hexagonal or even octagonal - whatever your preference. Typically, weather-resistant PVC vinyl is the optimal material for the base of your cupola, but cedar and other types of wood are used as well for a more natural look.

Roofing on a cupola is usually made from metal of some sort, with copper being the most popular choice. While all metals can rust over time, tarnished copper at least adds a very antique feel to the design. You can also choose a straight sloped roof, a bell shaped roof or even a concave shape - whatever matches best with your building.

You can even add different decorations to cupolas, such as a weather vane or windows. Windows and crown molding can be added to make the ?Cadillac of cupolas,? though many people favor a very simple and elegant design. The best part of purchasing a cupola is having a say in its design.

Whatever your design specifications, you can find a company to make your vision a reality. Be sure to know the size, shape and pitch of your roof before you have a custom cupola made. And most importantly, ask to see examples of craftsmanship. A cupola is an addition to your building that will be around for a while, so it’s important to purchase one that exudes quality and excellence.

About the Author:

The author, Annette Ceivers, is an interior and architectural design consultant in Pennsylvania. Her favorite style is country design and she believes cupolas can add something special to most homes. Her hobbies include antiquing, painting and searching country shops for unique design styles.

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