Cupolas Frequently Asked Questions

The most common mistake make in ordering a Cupola is underestimating how large it should be.  Remember, a Cupola always looks smaller once it is up on the roof.  A good rule of thumb is this:  ALLOW AT LEAST 1 1/4″ OF CUPOLA BASE WIDTH FOR EVERY FOOT OF UNBROKEN ROOF LINE.  If you have any doubts in your situation, please call and we will help you.

To save you the trouble, we ship our Cupolas with the base pitch already cut out of the base to conform to the pitch of your roof.  So we need to know your roof pitch.  Here’s how to determine it:

The measurements are taken from on top of the roof. Simply mark a level at 12″, hold it perfectly level and measure from the roof surface to your 12″ mark, this will give you the rise. Be careful with this method as a roof with many layers of shingles, or any type of roofing that is irregular can give you less than precise results.

See Diagram below for more information:

So, for example, if you measured 7″, the pitch of your roof is 7/12, pronounced “Seven over twelve.”

Yes.  Other options available are painted metal, steel or we can leave the Copper off to allow you to shingle it to match your project.

Most ready-made and build-from-a-kit Cupolas are made of wood that needs to be painted when you first install the Cupola and frequently thereafter.  Our Cupolas, on the other hand, are made of wood wrapped in smooth baked enamel Aluminum, so they never need painting.  Even if you want the base and louvered section of your Cupola to be some other color that the standard white, you’ll still never need to paint the Cupola, because you can choose from over 400 colors of smooth baked enamel Aluminum!  And the roofs of our Cupolas are clad in Copper, which won’t need to be painted.

Most of our Standard Size Weather Vanes are the perfect size for our Cupolas.  However, some Weather Vane figures are smaller than others so be sure to check the figure size.  Should you order a larger sized Cupola, the Estate Series is recommended.   Please call for help or assistance in choosing the perfect Weather Vane for your Cupola.

Our Cupolas are clad in .019 Aluminum with a Baked Enamel Finish.  They come with a 16 oz. Copper Roof and 9 x 9 Vent Mesh Fiberglass in the color Charcoal.  They also come with a 3/4″ Weather Vane hole drilled into the roof as well as Painted Stainless Screws for Installation and Mounting Hardware Bolts for attachment to roof.

We will also cut the Roof Pitch into the Base of the Cupola (any pitch).  On steep pitched roofs we automatically adjust the height of the Cupola so your Cupola is proportionate.

Over 400 colors are available in Aluminum at no extra charge!

Yes!  Variations are available, but may incur an additional cost.  They include:

.024 Aluminum (Available in White Only)

.032 Aluminum Kynar Finish (13 colors available)

16 oz. Copper

29 gauge Steel (13 colors available)

26 gauge Steel (13 Colors available)

If you’re installing your Cupola on new construction, a curb is recommended.  It allows you to run the flashing up the sides of the curb and then drop the Cupola base over the curb so all your flashing is hidden underneath to prevent water penetration.  Additional fees apply.

Curb Installation Sheet

Yes.  It will save you money on shipping.

Yes.  A light kit is available for an additional charge and will add an elegant glow to either the Louvered or Windowed Cupolas.  Your Windowed Cupola includes a mirror on the underside of the Cupola roof section to help illuminate evenly. 

4 way gang Box with Light Bulb Receptacle included.  Light Bulb not included.  (L.E.D. Recommended)  For an additional charge we are happy to include a bulb.

For your convenience we can add a hinge and latch on one window of your Cupola if you don’t have access from underneath the Cupola to change your light bulb.  We recommend using an L.E.D. bulb for longer life and efficiency.  For an additional charge we are happy to include a bulb.

The 1st measurement is taken from the width of the base and the 2nd measurement (height) is from the longest point of the base to the top of the Copper Roof.

Your crated Cupola will arrive complete and stacked together  in 3 pieces (Roof, Middle Section & Base Section) for ease of installation.  *Please note there will only be 1 crate, (depending on size)*

No, we have made it relatively easy.  A Cupola can be quite heavy, making it very difficult to hoist onto your roof.  That’s why we build our Cupolas in three easy-to-assemble sections, so you don’t have to haul so much weight all at once.  Our innovative three-section design also makes it easier to attach the Cupola to your roof.  We even cut the base pitch in for you, to accommodate the pitch of your roof, so you don’t have to!  When ordering extra large Cupolas, we can insert an eye hook into the roof to allow for hoisting by machinery.

Cupola Installation Page

All of our Cupolas come ready to accept a Weather Vane rod so no additional hardware is required.

(Link to Post Installation Instructions and Weather Vane Installation Instructions)

Depending on your location, usually within a few months, the copper will lose its shine and start to naturally tarnish. We can coat your Cupola Roof with a product that protects and maintains the polished finish of your copper Cupola Roof for approximately 7 years to prolong the look of raw copper.

Yes.  We can turn the copper to a bronze or patina look if you don’t want to wait for it to turn on it’s own.

Unfortunately, we don’t offer installations at this time.

Our Louvered Cupolas are designed to allow air flow through your attic and work best when used with gable end louvers.  This combination creates excellent air flow to prevent your attic from rotting.