How to Make a Cupola
Cupolas at one time were common architectural elements on many homes. Essentially, a cupola is a small addition to a rooftop that is outfitted with vents to allow hot air trapped in attics to escape. While air conditioning and the elimination of attics in home building has made the function of a cupola obsolete, the structure is finding new life as a decorative touch to rooflines of newer homes. If you think a cupola might enhance the look of your home, try these steps to come up with a design.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
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1
Take pictures of the exterior of the home, including the roof. Move around the yard and take several shots from different angles that take in not only the outside walls, but also the roofline. Use a ladder to climb up to the roof and take a few shots across the surface of the area as well. While any camera will work, a digital camera will allow you to upload the images to a computer and utilize software to size and print the photos.
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2
Determine the best position for the cupola. Consider the view of the cupola from various ground locations to achieve the best visual effect. Having an idea where to place the cupola will help determine the size and general shape of the final design.
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3
Obtain some general design ideas. Examples of traditional and non-traditional designs can be found on the Internet, and will serve as inspiration for your own unique design (see Resources below for a few links).
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4
Begin work on your design. Make a rough sketch of the section of the roof where the cupola will be placed. Using the ruler to help with drawing straight lines, sketch out a cupola design that will harmonize with the general design of the exterior of your home.
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5
Using the rough sketch, begin to create three-dimensional drawings of the cupola. This will allow you to get a better idea of how the finished product will look from various angles. This step will also provide the opportunity to include small details, such as borders or other features that will enhance the overall appearance of the cupola design
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6
Scale your design. This will involve knowing the dimensions of the roof in general, so that it is possible to determine the height, depth and width of the final cupola design. Determining the scale will also lay the groundwork for purchasing materials once you are ready to actually begin building and installing the cupola.
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Tips & Warnings
Remember the rough sketches are exactly that: rough. They do not have to be works of art, and only need to serve to give you a general idea of the shape of the finished product.
If you have computer software that allows you to create blueprints or drawings for small building projects, you can do all your sketching using the computer.
Unless you have an elaborate exterior, don’t design an elaborate cupola. The idea is to create a design that is in harmony with your home, not give the appearance that something was deposited on your roof by mistake.
