How to Design a Cupola

In a well designed garden with a gazebo, a personalized touch can be added with a specially designed cupola. If you can use a table saw, then you can design your very own cupola. It can be simply square, rectangular and even circular. The only hindrance is the imagination and some previous knowledge of working with wood. The simplest of these designs is a square.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Desired 1-by-12 inch lumber
• Table saw
• Drill
• Measuring tape
• Carpenter's square
• Pencil
• Hammer
• Screw gun
• 6d finish nails
• Nail set
• 1 ¼ inch deck screws
• Wood glue

1. Cut four pieces of lumber 12 inches in length and mitered on the edges. To do this, set the blade of the table saw at a 45 degree angle and the fence at 12 inches.

2. Leaving the table saw blade at a 45 degree angle, cut four triangle shaped pieces with the widest point at 12 inches. Using the miter gauge will make this step easier. Take care not to let the material slip.

3. Glue the edges of the square and assemble with the 6d finish nails. Drilling pilot holes will ease this process.

4. Repeat Step 3 for the triangular pieces. Allow the wood glue to cure before proceeding to the next step.

5. Secure the triangular pieces to the box with the 6d finish nails. Drilling pilot holes will ease this process. Crown the cupola with the desired spindle. Install the cupola on the gazebo with the deck screws.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wear safety glasses.
• A popular variation of the cupola is louvered material between the base and the roof.
• Sand the cupola before finishing it to add a smooth look.
• To construct a circular cupola ask the local lumber supply for flex stock.
• Do not raise the table saw blade any more than necessary to make the cut.

Resources

• Build a Cupola