Information on Shed Cupolas

Shed Cupolas Defined

• Shed cupolas are ornamental fixtures that are placed upon a larger shed rooftop. They consist of a flared base, vents or windows as the midsection and a roof or cap. To fit on a smaller and shorter building, shed cupolas sit low to a roof. They are available in different shapes, namely circular, hexagonal, octagonal and square. Shed cupolas can be installed using a kit or by a manufacturer.

Purpose of Shed Cupolas

• Early cupolas were made to be functional. For instance, barns had cupolas to draw cool air in and pull warm air out. While the functionality of cupolas are not essential for sheds, many people still install them for ventilation and air circulation. People also install cupolas for decoration. Consumers need to know that if they are installing a cupola for ventilation, a hole needs to be cut in the shed roof and a screen or mesh added to keep out bees and insects.

Sizes

• Shed cupolas are available in a variety of sizes. You should look at a number of variables when deciding on the size: proportion to the surroundings, what the cupola is situated on, how much the cupola weighs, the purpose of the cupola and any code restrictions. According to the Weather Vanes of Maine website, the rule for sizing cupolas is 1 inch of cupola per foot of roof line. For smaller structures like sheds, common sizes are 14 and 18 inch. For larger sheds, you can use 22- or 26-inch cupolas. Larger ones are available.

Materials

• Most modern shed cupolas are made of wood, vinyl or metal. Many come with a copper roof. Pine, cedar and red cedar are common woods used to construct cupolas. Pine requires maintenance over a span of several years, and additional painting will be required due to elements. Cedar is resistant to rot and termites while red cedar resists warping, twisting and is suitable for high-moisture areas. Red cedar also resists insect attack and decay because of its natural oils; it is preferred when attractive appearance and resistance to weather are important factors. Vinyl is another common material used in making cupolas. It is 100 percent water resistant and durable.