Residential Cupola Plans

Cupolas are believed to have originated during Greco-Roman times as a variation of the watchtower, that was essentially a place for a sentry to keep a lookout from his home. Later, it became a way for settlers to watch out for loved ones during the frequent trips back and forth across the Atlantic. Today, residential cupolas are mostly decorative, although they do provide an opportunity to create important roof ventilation. Traditionally a sign of wealth, a roof cupola will probably look out of place in less affluent neighborhoods, but they shouldn't cost an arm and a leg if you have some budgetary constraints.

The Widow's Walk
In case you're having trouble picturing a cupola (also known as the Widow's Walk), simply imagine a miniature home on the top of your roof or your kindergartener's drawing of a home. Of course, this is only the simplest of cupolas and some are considerably more complex. Another reason that cupolas are generally seen as a sign of wealth is that they usually look better on higher, larger roofs (i.e. large homes). That said, if you need to install roof vents on a larger roof, a Widow's Walk can be a beautiful addition.

Cupola Building Materials

Wood Cupolas: Wood cupolas are the best to preserve a sense of the cupola tradition, but they are also more expensive and need special considerations to prevent problems down the road. You'll want to choose a wood, such as cedar, that's resistant to rot. Wood may also attract unwanted pests in some regions of the country.

Vinyl Cupolas: Vinyl cupolas are more contemporary in design and performance. They're probably not the cheapest building material out there, but they're usually priced favorably compared to wood and are competitive with other materials. They won't rot or attract pests like wood and are, in general, more durable.

Aluminum and Copper Cupola Roofs: The supporting structure of the cupola (also where the slats are that provide views) are usually made from wood or vinyl, but the cupola roof is more often made from a metal, such as aluminum or copper. These roofs can also be made from traditional roof shingles, but shingled cupola roofs generally don't last as long. Unless you feel you need shingles to match the exterior of your home, metal is probably your best bet.

Custom Cupola Plan
Along with building materials, you'll need to decide on the shape and dimensions of your cupola. Cupola plans will describe whether your cupola is going to have the traditional square configuration or a rectangular or hexagonal structure. Dimensions can range anywhere from 10 by 14 inches up to 48 by 60 inches, although these larger cupolas are usually installed on larger commercial and municipal buildings. For an extra touch, you might also consider topping off your cupola with a weathervane.