When choosing a cupola, there are three things to consider: the material, style, and size.

​

Material: You can choose to have your cupolas made of pine, white cedar, western red cedar, or vinyl.  Pine cupolas will need to be treated (painted or stained) periodically/every few years to protect the wood.  Cedar cupolas can be treated or left to weather naturally.  Vinyl cupolas take less maintenance as they do not need to be treated.

​

Style: There are three sections to a cupola: the base, the middle section, and the roof.  

• The base can be smooth and flat-sided with or without trim, slightly flared and flat-sided, or shiplap, with overlapping boards.

• The middle section can be made with louvers or with glass windows.  

• The roof can be flat-sided, or with a pagoda-like curve.  It can be covered with copper, aluminum, or steel.  A copper roof left in its natural state will turn green over time but can be treated if you prefer to keep the shiny copper look.  Our aluminum and steel-covered roofs come in a variety of colors.

 

Size: You want your cupola to be proportionate to the length, size, and height of your building.   A ratio of 1” to 1 ½ “ per foot is most commonly used.  If your building has a 30-foot ridgeline, a 30” to 45” cupola would fit.