Cupolas, Well Proportioned, Add Curb AppealThe apparent serenity of the past is an oil spread by time. By Lloyd Frankenberg. Serenity and beauty of the past-a cupola is designed to last, with character to capture the spirit of early American architecture. Placed in a prominent position, cupolas are a decorative architectural accent. Often cupolas appear as smaller buildings perched on top of a building. When the cupola takes the form of a small, round Roman temple it is called a pavilion. Designed for functionality, decoration and antique appeal, cupolas will beautify any structure. Cupolas add curb appeal with nostalgic remembrance of traditional Early American architecture. When thinking of purchasing a cupola, one needs to be careful not to purchase without thought of size and the architectural style of the building it will be perched upon. One wants the cupola to add balance to create an asymmetrical appeal that gives your outside buildings to look there absolute bests. Cupolas need to be sized proportionately to the building it will be placed on. The size of the cupola is determined by the height, length, and width of the building. In selecting the right size for the building, a good rule of thumb is at least 1 inch of cupola base for every foot of unbroken horizontal roof line. Example: An unbroken roof line of 30 feet would require at least a 30 in cupola base. If the building is higher than 1 story, it is recommended a larger cupola. It is also recommended to have a cupola larger when the roof is steep. A too small cupola could have the appearance of a bird house. Cupola bases are designed to accommodate different roof pitches of the structures it will sit upon. The cupola straddles the roof much like a horse back rider straddles the back of a horse. Window cupolas will appear smaller than the same sized louvered cupola on any building. Also, how the cupola looks when seen on the ground will change once placed on the roof. Therefore, it is important to measure appropriately. If the building is greater than 100 feet long use multiple cupolas. A solution would be to have a large cupola in the middle with smaller ones at each end or place two cupolas one at each end. A properly sealed dimensional and detailed cupola will add a finishing touch to both new construction and existing buildings. Looking to update your exterior building without breaking the bank? Cupolas are a timeless masterpiece, a great way for adding curb appeal. Serenity and beauty of the past---a cupola is designed to last with functional performance and character of tradition to capture the spirit of early American architecture. Labels: Add Curb Appeal, Cupolas, Well Proportioned |
