All About Cupolas, Frequently Asked Questions

As people are becoming more interested in their homes, gardens and yards, the popularity of cupolas and weathervanes have skyrocketed. There has been a rebirth of interests in cupolas for their decorative architectural accents as well as the functional aspect of attic ventilation. By eliminating mildew, musty odors and stagnant air, cupolas improve the longevity of the building.

Since Medieval times, cupolas have graced the outside of homes and public buildings. In history the cupola was famous as an Indian look out point. For others it's a design to embellish a building and can form a top floor providing an excellent view. Cupolas vary in size from a very small one to be placed on top a gazebo to a large one forming a top floor where you enter from the inside via stairs.

Whatever your reason; the cupola should be built to match the look and feel of your home. The addition of a cupola provides the finishing touch and adds interest to the skyline.

1. What to do to keep rain from leaking into the building.

How to prepare the roof a cupola will be placed on and properly sealed against leaks depends on if one is purchasing a cupola for decoration only or functional for ventilation. If installing for decorative purposes the cupola is simply placed on the roof without cutting a hole. So the chance of it leaking is void. It is important to seal the heads of the screws that hold the cupola onto the roof, as well as caulk around the base of the cupola. This provides for longevity of your cupola. When purchasing a cupola for attic ventilation, it requires a hole being cut into the roof. The hole needs to be at least 6 inches less then the width and length of the base of the cupola. This allows for hidden blocks to be installed on the edges of the hole. Never cut the supporting rafters of the roof or the ridge when cutting through the shingles and shealthing. One starts cutting at the peak the cuts down each side maintaining the 6 inch boarder. The blocks are positioned and screwed into the roof sheathing. The metal flashing is installed under each shingle that fits snuggly against these blocks that are hidden. Once the flashing is in place, the cupola is dropped over the flashing. Then screw the cupola into the hidden blocks. The screws need to be long enough to penetrate the roof boards. Then caulk where the base and the roof meet on angle sides.

2. How to mount a cupola if your building has a ridge vent. Consult with the manufacture of the cupola at the time it is ordered to see what their recommendations are. Rather than cutting back the ridge vent, one can notch the base of the cupola so it straddles over the ridge vent.

3. How tall should the cupola be?

All cupolas are designed and built to the proportion of the base size, so one does not have to say how tall you want the cupola built. The manufacture would be able to tell you how tall it will be depending on the size of the base of the cupola.

Ask the manufacture if they will provide guidelines and assistance at the time of installation when purchasing a cupola. How the cupola will arrive is a very important question. Will be be completely built and sealed or in a box.

Cupolas create an impressive eye catching focus and breaks up the monotony and plain look of the roofline. Cupolas add class and create a whole new look to the outside buildings they are placed on. When properly sized and sealed cupolas add a little country charm to the roof line.


Copyright (c) 2009 Elda Titus