Should you install a cupola in your home?
Looking for a good ornamental addition to your house? Try adapting the common symbolic décor that was rampant and popular in the 19th century—the cupola. A common fixture to homes, cupolas have once had very practical purposes, from ventilation to protection. Nowadays, it is usually installed as a decoration piece.
There are various types of cupolas to choose to complement your house. Choose from metal cupolas, wood cupolas, vinyl cupolas, or barn cupolas, which can take the appearance of a variety of shapes from rhombic, triangular prisms, or pentagonal cupolas. In this modern age, originality and personalization is everything to make your home unique and stand out.
What is a cupola?
In modern times, cupolas are viewed as ornamental installations to houses to imitate the designs that can be seen on temples. They are usually rounded ornaments with a circular base which are then used as roof structures. However, cupolas have a historic background that dates back to the 8th century. Cupolas that have one balcony would usually be mounted on top of Islamic architecture wherein the city criers would do calls to prayer.
Cupolas soon became popular and were commonly seen on official buildings and houses in the Middle East. The Moors then influenced the architecture of Spain on the use of cupolas, which then spread throughout Europe. In these regions, cupolas were used as snow stoppers during terrible weather so the roofs would not collapse from the weight of the snow.
Modern architecture has also put cupolas at par with gazebos or belvederes, where people can relax and look out to the horizon. Cupolas come in different shapes and sizes depending on the style of the house or the preference of the owner.
Function
Nowadays, cupolas are primarily added as roof architecture detail. Other buildings use these as ventilation, which maintain the air flow at the summit of buildings. They can also be used in garden structures, where the cupolas can serve as decoration and ventilation.
In some more complicated architecture, they can act as light sources into a room. Still in others, cupolas retain their ancient function of being window cupolas which people can look out of. Others would install cupolas to serve as protection.
Types of cupolas
Because of the rich history and many influences of cupolas, there are several types, sizes, and styles of cupolas around the world. From the dubbed “onion tops” of cupolas on the mosques in the Middle East to the modern cupolas in America, the styles seem endless.
Barn cupolas are primarily used as ventilation for animals, especially during harsh weather. Aside from this, it is also good to check out the right size for the barn architecture because the domelike shape will add charm to the barn. Since weather is a major factor, the material should be rust-resistant and can withstand harsh and hot sun rays or raging rainy weather and wind.
Another style is the wood cupola. These are usually found on top of public buildings, but they are more popular for homes. Wood cupolas have the benefit of coming in several shapes and sizes because wood is easily carved out. Cedar cupolas or cypress ones are also elegant and sophisticated that you can leave their natural wood color or repaint them to match your house.
Metal cupolas come in a variety of styles such as the squire, which is an octagonal shape that looks better on older house styles. Victorian styles are the most common in cupolas as they proliferated in Britain under Queen Victoria. Rustic cupolas are often more effective and scenic on natural settings like barns and mountain homes. The more modern metal cupolas have strong angles and can showcase a weather vane.
A guide to buying and installing cupolas
Sprucing up your home with a cupola installation is a great way to deal with hazardous weather as these can protect your roof against snow or to provide ventilation for hot summers. You can choose from a variety of sizes, shapes, colors, and details, so make sure that you know the measurements of the type of cupola you need to buy. So always keep these tips in mind when buying a cupola.
When it comes to cupola, size is everything. Or at least, it requires great consideration with regards to your house and rooftop. The size of the cupola should be dictated by the size of your rooftop for two reasons. First, the weight of a large cupola may be too much and the roof might collapse under the weight. Second, the cupola should just be the right size or else it will appear out of place and awkward.
Rule of thumb for cupolas is that it should be at least one inch in size for every foot of roof area. You have to make sure that the cupola fits the area that you allotted for it. It should look natural. Those that are too big will appear forced while small ones would be swallowed up by the measurements of the house.
Installation of a cupola is surprisingly easy that you can even do it yourself. However consider specific aspects of the cupola, such as the ventilation, the light pathway, the size and angle in relation to the roof, and base extensions. Experts recommend that the cupolas and the base be bought from the same manufacturer to get the exact size and other measurements.
A good thing to note about cupola bases is that a typical cupola usually fits a six to twelve-degree pitch of the roof. But if the pitch has a greater measurement, it will need a base extension.
The answer to beautifying your home is an easy installation of a cupola. You will not only add a unique traditional touch to your modern architecture inspired home, but you will also be providing additional ventilation or light sources to your interior.