​Since their first appearance in the 8th century, cupolas have enjoyed popularity in the architecture of almost every culture. They are a staple feature in Greek Revival and Second Empire (a sub-style of Victorian) houses, and can be easily incorporated into any building design. Cupolas have also been a prominent design element in American homes, dating all the way back to George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate.
 
Cupolas are a beautiful, efficient way to bring light and air into a home, or even to provide a lookout. Cupolas are a unique architectural feature that can be combined with other popular roof designs to bring a new dimension to your home.

​When it comes to adding beauty to your roofline, Valley Forge Cupolas are the experts. With custom options and free digital quotes, you can confidently craft the perfect complement to your home. Call us today at 866-400-1776 to discover the cupola of your dreams.

“Do-it-yourself” projects are all the rage, with channels like the DIY Network and HGTV pulling in large viewer ratings: in 2015, DIY Network averaged 213,000 viewers, while HGTV averaged 1,498,000 viewers and was the 15th most-watched television network. The hosts of popular DIY shows - like Chip and Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper and Jonathan and Drew Scott of Property Brothers - have large, faithful fan bases who eagerly try out all their DIY tips.
 
It’s no surprise, then, that DIY cupola kits have grown in popularity. But But overestimating your DIY skills can lead to headaches and higher costs than if you had gone with a professional the beginning. Here are three major reasons you should skip the cupola kits and come straight to the professionals at Valley Forge Cupolas and Weathervanes:

• Things are not always what they seem online: A quick Google search of “online shopping fails” shows how difficult it can be to gauge a product’s actual appearance based solely on pictures and written descriptions. When they say “green,” do they mean sage, forest, or emerald? Will the molding really match the molding on my home? All too often, it’s not until a cupola kit is assembled and on your roof that you realize it really doesn’t fit your home. That is why we offer free digital quotes, so that you can see exactly how a cupola will complement your home before you purchase.
• Substandard materials: The relatively inexpensive price tag on cupola kits is often due to its poor quality materials. They often use plywood, cheap metals that will rust over time, and high-density polyethylene (the same plastic used to make milk cartons). Valley Forge Cupolas offers quality that can’t be beat. Our cupolas are designed to last, made from maintenance-free Azek vinyl, high-quality Western Red Cedar, painted steel, and durable 24 gauge copper.
• Poor construction: If a cupola is not built and installed correctly, it can lead to serious problems, including water damage to your roof and attic. Our cupolas are carefully designed and constructed to ensure the highest-quality standards are met.

“We added a cupola to our new home and we love it! The quality is first-rate and the price could not be beat. Also the customer service was exceptional. I would definitely recommend them.” - John P.
 
“This company is phenomenal! The quality of the weathervane and cupola even impressed our contractor. We recommend Valley Forge Cupolas to everyone interested in beautifying their home. Beverly [is] especially friendly and helpful.” - Stephanie L.
 
A well-designed cupola adds beauty and value to your home. Don’t take a chance on a DIY cupola kit: let the experts at Valley Forge Cupolas match you with the cupola of your dreams. Call us today at 866-400-1776.

​When choosing an accent for the top of a cupola, weathervanes are the most popular choice. Weathervanes have a long and glorious history that contributes to their popularity. However, finials also have a rich history and can bring a touch of elegance and sophistication to your home.

Finials are decorative ornaments placed on top of poles or the apex of a roof, cupola, or similar structure on a building. In architecture, they are commonly used to emphasize the top of a spire, dome, tower, roof, or other prominent feature of a structure. A series or group of finials is often referred to as a “pinnacle.”
 
While Greeks and Romans occasionally adorned their buildings with finials, they did not become a prominent architectural design element until around 711 A.D. The trend gained popularity in Asia, where finials were used to ornament the tops of pagodas. Pagodas are temples or other sacred buildings with a pyramid-like tower and upward-curving roofs. A central finial would be placed on the very top of the highest roof, with smaller finials gracing the upturned corners of each eave.
 
Many of these initial finials were made out of stone, and their designs were heavily influenced by Buddhism. The most common design was that of a lotus bud: a closed bud represented the potential for enlightenment, while an open bud represented rebirth. The Japanese began making finials out of metals, such as iron and copper, but they kept Buddhist symbolism in their designs. (These included the sacred wheel, the water flame, and nine rings stacked vertically to represent the Buddhist deities.)
 
Finials saw a resurgence in use during the Victorian and Gothic eras. Designs based on Arthurian legends became popular, such as the Gawain, Merlin, and Lancelot finials. Gothic finials also typically included ornamental figures such as gargoyles, dragons, and other mythical creatures. Victorian finials tended more toward regal designs, such as the fleur de lis.

We have seventeen different finials to choose from, including our latest addition, the Aragon. This magnificent copper finial is available in both 28” and 40” heights. While most of our finials come in polished copper finish, some of the designs offer the following finishes:

• Verdigris
• Black matte
• Black gloss
• White antique
• White gloss
• Nickel brushed
• Nickel polished 

If you are looking to add style and flair to your home, look no further than Valley Forge Cupolas and Weathervanes. Call us today at 866-400-1776 to order one of our beautiful finials.

Do you want to beautify your roofline with a cupola, but don’t know which one to choose? With over 70 styles to choose from - plus the option to create your own custom cupola - we can bring your cupola design ideas to life. You can also gather inspiration from exploring the features of a few of our models.

​The cupolas in our Estate Select series offer classic, elegant charm, as exhibited by the Roxbury (shown above). The arched windows and elaborate molding evoke a gothic feel, while the white Azek vinyl and copper roof give it a modern touch. If you’re looking for a simple but powerful design, this is the cupola for you.

The Danbury is a hexagon window cupola from our Signature series. The beautiful, copper concave roof and delicate, arched windows give it an old world charm. The custom molding, keystone accents and extended drip rail give it depth and character. Its overall design is reminiscent of a fairytale castle, adding a touch of magic to your roofline.

Cupolas don’t have to be asymmetrical and white. This lovely cedar cupola from our Royal Crowne collection offers a sturdy base that tapers to tall windows in simple, rustic frames, before flaring back out to its impressive, elongated copper roof. This is a classic American look, perfect for farmhouses, cabins, and country-style homes.

Also from our Royal Crowne collection, the two Carlisle cupolas above show how easily a style can be adapted to fit your specific cupola design ideas. The cupola on the left features a bright copper roof with an extra standing seam; double 6-pane windows mounted vertically; and custom molding on the middle and base. The cupola on the right has a taller, un-seamed roof; a copper roof and base coated with beautiful patina; and a single 6-pane window mounted horizontally.

Nearly every aspect of a cupola can be customized:

• Bright copper or patina finish
• Louvers, windows, or a combination of both
• Custom molding, trim and drip rails
• Straight, concave or bell-shaped roofs
• Arched or straight windows and louvers
• Height
• Base design

With the help of Beverly, the Cupola Specialist, you can turn your cupola design ideas into the cupola of your dreams. And with our exclusive, custom digital quotes, you can see exactly how your cupola will look at your home. If you are torn between two styles and/or features, this is a great way to see which better complements your home before purchasing.
 
Call us today at 866-400-1776 and bring your cupola design ideas to life!