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Add Character to Your Roof With a Custom Cupola

5/31/2016

Cupolas have been adding beauty and character to rooflines for centuries, but many people don’t realize just how versatile these architectural beauties can be. You can customize nearly every aspect of a cupola to create hundreds of different looks and designs. No matter the style of your home, business, garage or gazebo, a cupola can be designed that complements the look perfectly.

Aspects of Cupola Design

A cupola is made up of three parts: the base, the vents, and the cap. Each of these elements can be customized in height, materials and features. Here are just a few examples of cupola variations:

Number of sides: Choose between four or six sides for a traditional or elegant look.

Windows vs. Louvers: Cupolas are designed to bring light and/or ventilation into your home.

Style of windows: Our windows aren’t one size fits all! The design of the windows can have a dramatic impact on the personality and style of a cupola.

Add a Lantern: A lantern can bring your window cupola to a whole new level, welcoming guests with a cheery glow.

Cap style: Choose from a traditional pyramid or a graceful bell shape and select the height and tapering of the cap. If you don’t like the traditional copper look, you can also choose an aluminum cap.

Base style: Your cupola’s personality begins at the base. Whether you opt for a platform or a simpler design, the base will draw the eye up the cupola and help it tie in to your building’s design.

Wooden designs for Gazebos: Add an extra flare to your gazebo with a beautiful wooden cupola.

Metal cupolas: We also offer a very special line of cupolas crafted from cellular pvc-vinyl with a metal roof and base. They are available in a variety of colors that can be matched to most building color combinations.

Mix and Match to Create Your Custom Look!

Whatever look you are going for, we can craft a custom cupola that matches your vision! We are the custom cupola specialists, with over 15 years of experience in helping customers create the cupola of their dreams. We will walk you through every step of the design process to guarantee 100% satisfaction.

If you want to beautify your home with a custom cupola, call us today at 888-931-5379.

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The Functional Beauty of Weathervanes

5/20/2016

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Weathervanes have been an architectural ornament for hundreds of years, and still enjoy immense popularity today. Both beautiful and functional, weathervanes sit on the highest point of the roof, or grace the cap of a cupola, to show the direction of the wind. The most popular design is the traditional rooster, with letters on the rod indicating the points of the compass.

At Valley Forge Cupolas and Weathervanes, we take pride in the beauty of our weathervanes. All of our weathervanes are 3-dimensional and made from the finest copper. The sculptural detail of our weathervanes adds a touch of elegance to any rooftop. And with over 130 designs to choose from, you are sure to find one you love!

Frequently Asked Questions About Weathervanes

Q: How does a weathervane work? How is it made?
A: The assembly portion of a weathervane is made up of the post, compass points, and globes, which do not turn. The figure is the only moving part, and is designed so that the greatest amount of mass is to one side of the spindle. This creates resistance for the wind, and the wind pushes the heavy end away until the slim front edge of the vane faces into the wind.

Q: How do I tell the wind direction from a weathervane?
A: A properly designed and balanced weathervane will point into the wind. In other words, the figure will always be facing the direction from where the wind is blowing. The compass points help you determine the wind’s direction. If the figure is pointing toward the ‘S’, the wind is coming out of the South and is therefore a Southerly wind.

Q: Should I take my weathervane down if a storm is coming?
A: Most weathervanes can handle winds up to 60 miles per hour. Beyond this it is best to remove the figure and compass until the storm has passed. If your figure has large horizontal surfaces (like wings), you need to install a retaining hook to keep it from “flying” away. It’s recommended that you periodically inspect your weathervane to ensure the figure is spinning freely.

Q: There are so many options, how do I choose the right weathervane?
A: The “right” weathervane is the one that speaks to you; the one that best displays your personality or interests. Weathervane design has always been linked to pride, often representing business, trade, or even prized livestock.

Call Us For All Your Weathervane Needs

Valley Forge Cupolas and Weathervanes is a family-owned and operated business that has been selling handmade cupolas, weathervanes, and finials since 2001. We take pride in our unsurpassed customer service, working with our customers to ensure 100% satisfaction.

If you want to add beauty and functionality to your roofline, call us today at 866-400-1776 and invest in one of our handcrafted weathervanes.

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The Benefits of Adding a Cupola to Your Roof

5/13/2016

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Cupolas have been around for centuries, getting their name from an old Latin word which means “small cup.” These architectural flourishes have graced buildings such as cathedrals, castles, and government offices. More recently, cupolas are being used to enhance the style of garages, houses, offices, barns, and other buildings. They are designed to light and ventilate buildings, but have a host of other benefits.

Aesthetics – The biggest appeal of cupolas is how they look. Cupolas can accentuate the height of your home when placed on its highest peak. It is a focal point that draws the eye while simultaneously enhancing the overall design of your home. The cap of a cupola can be square, hexagonal, octagonal or bell-shaped. These options broaden its ability to complement your home.

Function – Cupolas can come with a variety of features, one of the most common being louvered vents. They allow air to circulate in the attic and send moist air outside, protecting your attic from rotting wood and mildew growth. This also cools your home, allowing your air conditioning to operate more efficiently. In the winter, a cupola’s incline allows snow to slide off easily, reducing the strain on your roof and helping prevent cave-ins.

Durability – Our cupolas are built to last by skilled Amish craftsmen. Made from the highest-quality materials, including maintenance-free cellular PCV-vinyl, they will last for years to come.

What Are the Benefits of a Louvered Cupola?

A louver is a type of blind, window, or shutter that has adjustable, horizontal slats. The slats are tilted so that fresh air and light can enter your home, while keeping out rain, direct sunlight, and noise.

A cupola is made up of three parts: the base, the vents, and the caps. In a louvered cupola, louvers make up the vent section, allowing ventilation and airflow while blocking out the elements.

Add Beauty and Function to Your Home with a Cupola

Whether you are looking to add light and ventilation to your home, or you are just looking to beautify your roofline, our Cupola Specialists can help you choose the perfect cupola for your roof.

Not sure how your home would look with a cupola? We provide FREE Custom Digital Building Quotes. Simply send us a picture of your home, and our experienced designer will create a detailed image showing exactly how your home would look with an installed cupola.

Call us today at 866-400-1776 and banish your boring roofline!

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Beautify Your Home With a Cupola

5/13/2016

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Cupolas have been a staple of architecture dating all the way back to the 8th century. The Latin word cupula means “small cup,” and gave these structures their name because they resemble an upside-down cup. Cupolas in coastal fishing ports were often called a “Widow’s Walk,” since they were large lookouts where families and wives could look for returning ships carrying their loved ones. One of the largest and most famous examples of cupola architecture in America is the Capital Building in Washington, D.C. These beautiful ornamental structures are now gaining popularity in adorning homes, garages, offices, barns, and other buildings.

Architects and designers agree that few additions to your home increase both function and beauty quite like a cupola. Cupolas provide extra ventilation in your attic, lowering your energy bill and increasing the lifespan of your roof by preventing excessive heat and moisture. They also create a uniquely beautiful focal point for your home.

What is a Cupola?

A cupola consists of three parts: the base, the vents, and the cap.

Base: The size of the base is determined by the slop or pitch of the roof. For some large roofs you have the option of adding multiple cupolas. You can check our cupola sizing charts to see what size is appropriate for your home.
Vents: The “vents” section of the cupola may consist of louvers or windows. Window cupolas have the added benefit of letting in natural light while maintaining privacy. Natural light also makes for a more pleasant indoor atmosphere and can help reduce your electric bill. The amount of light a cupola brings into your home depends on the size of the windows and the width and height of the shaft. For example, a 4-foot-square cupola will draw enough light into a hallway to eliminate the need for daytime lighting.
Cap: Our cupolas are capped with copper, a durable metal that has a life of roughly 300 years. They are designed to have a square, bell-like, or other distinctive geometric shape. Often they are topped with a finial or weathervane to add one more eye-pleasing flourish.

Hand-made Cupolas from Skilled Pennsylvania Craftsmen

We have been working with cupolas since 2001, and we love creating custom cupolas our customers love. We will collaborate with you through every step of the design process, and you can expect beautiful work that perfectly realizes the initial design.

Our goal is 100% customer satisfaction. If you’re not sure a cupola would complement your home, simply send us a photo and we will create a detailed digital image of how your installed cupola would look. Our free digital quote is a service no other cupola provider offers!

Call us at 1-866-400-1776 and add beauty and light to your home today!

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Add Character to Your Roof With a Custom Cupola

The Functional Beauty of Weathervanes

The Benefits of Adding a Cupola to Your Roof

Beautify Your Home With a Cupola

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