A cupola is a structure on top of a roof that is often shaped like a dome or a square. A few famous buildings that have cupolas are the Cupola House in North Carolina, the Hay House in Georgia and Chateau Chambord in France. A cupola is used for various purposes that include ornamentation, venting, observation and letting in increased light.The first step involved in constructing a cupola is
. deciding its main purpose. A decorative cupola has different requirements than a cupola that is built to fill a special need. Some cupolas have vents, while others have windows. The user should also consider the area of the roof where the cupola will be mounted. Important issues include its size and shape.Because cupolas are usually fairly small, they are assembled on the ground and then installed on the roof. Instructions for installing a cupola are available at http://www.ronhazelton.com/projects/how_to_install_a_cupola_and_weathervane. This page features a video in which Ron Hazelton of the television show "HouseCalls" demonstrates how to place a brass cupola on a roof correctly.One free plan for constructing a small cupola is posted at http://www.runnerduck.com/cupola.htm. This cupola is primarily made of cedar, which is an especially durable wood. The main purpose of this particular cupola is to serve as the mounting place for a weather vane.Another free cupola plan is provided at http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-Projects/Indoor-Projects/Attics/Attic-Ventilation/how-to-build-a-cupola/Step-By-Step. These instructions explain how to bevel the sill and remove spots where standing water can damage the cupola. The vents are framed with vinyl brick mold, and aluminum flashing is wrapped around the saddle section. This plan is intended for intermediate carpenters, and it requires the use of several power tools.A third free cupola plan is posted at http://advanceassociates.com/Sundials/Stained_Glass/CupolaSundial/CUPOLA_SUNDIAL_MASTER_PLAN.pdf. This design requires advanced carpentry skills. A weather vane is mounted atop the cupola, and a sundial is installed on the cupola's side.More reference links: http://www.cupola.com/ http://www.amishcountryproductsandmore.com/choosesize.html
