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Beautiful Church Cupolas from Valley Forge Cupolas

3/29/2018

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​Cupolas have been an integral part of church design for centuries. Whether they are providing space for lanterns or bells, adding ventilation, or are strictly ornamental, these cupolas are a traditional hallmark of churches around the globe, particularly in America. When Americans picture a church, they generally imagine a tall white steeple rising from a graceful cupola. In Orthodox churches - particularly Russian Orthodox - the number of cupolas used on a church are symbolic: one cupola represents Christ, three symbolize the trinity, and some churches even have 13 cupolas, representing Christ and the Twelve Apostles.
 
While a tall, narrow steeple - sometimes topped with a cross - is the typical skyline painted by modern American churches, their highest point used to be fixed with a rooster. This tradition began back in the 9th century when Pope Nicholas I decreed every church should display a rooster on its peak to remind Christians of their faith. By the 11th century, rooster weathervanes were common features of church rooflines.

Custom Designs and Installations are Our Specialty

If you are looking to add a cupola to your church, call the cupola experts at Valley Forge Cupolas. We can create a custom design that perfectly matches the needs of your church, no matter the size or shape of your roofline. We install cupolas of all sizes, as shown by our most recent project, installing a 78” wide custom cupola at a shopping center. These extra large cupolas arrive in three sections - base, midsection, and cap - which are then lifted onto the roof by a crane. Our craftsmen can generally complete the assembly and installation in two days, with minimal disruption to your schedule.
 
All of our cupolas are built by our Pennsylvania craftsmen, using only the highest-quality materials. We use Azek vinyl, which can withstand the tests of time and nature without losing its fine aesthetic. This low-maintenance material never needs to be stained or sanded, and resists mold, mildew, stains and scratches. And you never have to worry about damage from termites or rot!
 
Our cupola roofs are built from beautiful, durable copper. Resistant to tarnishing and corrosion, copper can last for decades - if not longer! Copper also offers the unique ability to be easily shaped while remaining quite resilient and resistant to damage.

For Custom Church Cupolas, Call the Cupola Specialists!

​At Valley Forge Cupolas, we are committed to providing you with the best service and products. We work with you every step of the way to ensure you receive the perfect cupola. Call us today at 866-400-1776 to learn more about our custom church cupolas.
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Add Flair to Your Home with a Cupola Topper

3/22/2018

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People have been seeking creative ways to add flair to their rooflines for centuries, often choosing an architectural element such as a custom cupola. Others go for unique accents, with whimsical weathervanes and elegant finials being the most popular choices, especially when used as cupola toppers. Easily attached to the roof of a cupola, weathervanes and finials add another layer of character and personality to your home.

​The Long-Standing Popularity of Cupola Toppers

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Weathervanes have been a fixture on tall buildings and church steeples for hundreds of years, helping townsfolk and farmers track changing weather conditions. Brought to America by the first settlers, weathervanes grew in popularity when the Founding Fathers (including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson) included them on their homes. True to the American spirit, weathervane designs began to expand to reflect individual styles, tastes, hobbies, or triumphs. Farmers may have a pig or horse weathervane to denote a prize-winning stock, while fisherman might choose a ship or sea creature. Today, weathervanes can be found in almost any design imaginable.

Another popular cupola topper is the finial. Used to emphasize the top of a spire, roof, cupola, or other prominent architectural feature, finials first gained prominence in Asia around 711 A.D. in the building of pagodas. Finials saw a resurgence in popularity during the Victorian and Gothic eras, with designs often based on Arthurian legends or regal symbols, such as the fleur de lis. Gothic finials also typically included ornamental figures such as gargoyles, dragons, and other mythical creatures. Our finials range in height from 13” to 39” and are available in a variety of finishes, depending on the design. These finishes include:
  • Black gloss
  • Black matte
  • Copper
  • Nickel brushed
  • Nickel polished
  • Verdigris (patina)
  • White antique
  • White gloss

Find the Perfect Cupola Topper at Valley Forge Cupolas and Weathervanes

Finials and weathervanes are the perfect way to add an interesting focal point to your roof, accentuate your home’s features, or visually break up a long, interrupted roofline. All of our weathervanes are made from copper, the most durable and longest-lasting building material, which also requires no maintenance or painting. Enjoy your beautiful copper topper for generations to come!

Whether you are looking for a weathervane to complement your Victorian style home or a graceful spire to pierce the sky, we have the cupola topper your have been looking for. Call us today at 866-400-1776 to add flair to your roofline today!
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Fascinating and Fun Weathervane Facts

3/15/2018

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Weathervanes have a long, fascinating history. They were likely the first instruments ever used to predict the weather, letting farmers known when a crop needed to be brought in from the field or warning of approaching storms. Today we’ll share with you some of our favorite weathervane facts.

Ancient Origins

Andronicus, a Greek astronomer, built the first weathervane (called a “wind vane”) in 48 B.C. Shaped like the Greek god Triton, this bronze weathervane sat atop the Tower of the Winds in Athens. By the 9th century, Vikings were mounting weathervanes to their ships and in Rome, the pope decreed that every church steeple be topped with a rooster.

How Do Weathervanes Work?

A weathervane is made up of the post, compass points, globes, and the figure. Only the figure moves, rotating on a vertical axis. Proper balance is crucial to a weathervane’s function: the figure must be weighted the same on both sides of the axis, but one side has more surface area than the other. The larger area creates more wind resistance, turning the figure so that the narrower end points into the wind.
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This is because wind direction is determined by the direction from which it is traveling. For example, if the wind is coming from the west, you would feel the wind in your face if you were to face west. Therefore, wherever the narrow end of the figure points tells you the direction of the wind.

How Are Weathervanes Used to Tell Weather?

Farmers use weathervanes to gather information about prevailing winds in order to know how to plant their crops and ensure proper pollination of their fields. They were also able to predict changes in weather by understanding the weather patterns of their region. For example, in the western United States, farmers can reliably predict that easterly winds will bring storms while west winds generally mean fair skies and southerly winds bring warmth and rain.

Certain principles apply regardless of your region. For example, a quick reversal of direction (such as from east to west) can signal a mass of lower pressure overhead that will bring storms. While most people prefer to pull up the weather with a tap on their phone, learning to predict weather patterns with a weathervane is fun and rewarding.

How Are Weathervanes Mounted?

Traditionally weathervanes are mounted on the tallest part of a building so that they have unhindered access to the wind. Weathervanes require a sturdy mounting bracket that is designed to prevent roof leaks. For a truly striking effect, weathervanes can also be mounted atop a cupola. If the roof isn’t an option, weathervanes can also be mounted to the wall of a shed or to specially designed garden poles and display stands.

Whimsical Weathervanes from Valley Forge Cupolas and Weathervanes

If these weathervane facts have stirred your imagination, call us today at 866-400-1776. Whether your tastes run nautical, classical, or anywhere in between, we have the perfect weathervane for you!
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The Right Cupola Proportions Make All the Difference

3/8/2018

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Do you want to give your home a makeover, but don’t want the expense and inconvenience of a renovation? Our custom cupolas are easy to install and instantly add beauty, character, and function to your home. When you purchase a Valley Forge Cupola, our Cupola Specialists make sure every aspect of the design fits your needs and tastes. This includes ensuring the cupola proportions complement your dwelling. If a cupola is not sized correctly, it can throw off the entire balance of your home. A cupola that is too large will overwhelm your roofline, while too small a cupola looks like an afterthought.

Balance is the Key to Cupola Proportions

The general rule of thumb for sizing is a minimum of 1.25” of cupola for every foot of unbroken roof ridge line. This does allow for some variation, as shown in the picture below. For example, for a 24’ roof, a 30” cupola is the proper size, but sizing up slightly to a 36” cupola also produces a desirable look. You can also see how an undersized cupola looks out of place on the roofline.
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For longer rooflines, it is often advised to choose multiple, smaller cupolas - rather than one, large central cupola - in order to maintain a balanced look. This can be achieved in one of two ways:
  • Place two cupolas of equal size on either end of the roof, or
  • Choose three cupolas - one slightly larger, central cupola and two smaller, flanking cupolas
On a 60’ roof, this would come out to two 36” cupolas, or one 42” and two 32” cupolas.

Personalize Your Cupola with Our Cupola Specialists

At Valley Forge Cupolas, we love turning our clients’ dreams into reality. We help you choose from a variety of customization options and accessories in order to achieve the perfect finishing touch for your home. We even offer FREE digital building quotes so that you can see exactly how your new cupola will look on your home!

The possibilities are endless:

  • Clapboard (shiplap) bases
  • Board and batten designs
  • Painted aluminum and polished or patinated copper roofs
  • Weathervanes, finials, and lanterns
  • Custom molding
  • Azek vinyl, Western Red Cedar, or metal cupolas
  • And so much more!

“We are pleased with our new cupola. The service we received in helping us to select the cupola was excellent and the cupola itself is well constructed.” - Carl D.

Let our Cupola Specialists guide you in choosing the perfect cupola for your home! Call us today at 866-400-1776.
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Fall in Love with Our Beautiful Cedar Cupolas

3/2/2018

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If you are looking to add character and beauty to your home, our exquisite Western Red Cedar cupolas are sure to delight! Adding a rustic feel to any roofline, cedar cupolas are perfect for rural homes, barns, garages, sheds, and gazebos. Here are some of our favorite designs to inspire you!
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​This gorgeous, eight-sided cedar cupola is designed to grace your gazebo like a crown. Its beautiful cedar shake roof and eyelid arches add layers of detail to delight the eye. The louvers help hot air escape during the summer and keep air flowing so that your gazebo is always refreshing and never stuffy.
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Featuring a straight, black aluminum roof and an eyelid arch over the four-pane windows, this cupola’s rugged looks are perfect for a cabin or mountain home. Also available with a copper roof and/or a flared base, this cupola can be paired with any architectural design.
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Board and batten designs have been enjoying renewed popularity in recent years because they add visual interest to both the exterior and interior of homes. Originating as a form of siding, the term “batten” refers to the strip of molding that is placed across the joint between boards. The result is strong vertical lines balanced by a sense of texture across the horizontal.
 
Made by Pennsylvania craftsmen, our board and batten cedar cupolas impart a rustic, homemade quality to your home. Whether you choose windows or louvers, this cupola is sure to become a favorite feature of your home.
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The elegant, concave copper roof of this cupola beautifully offsets the rich red of the cedar. Even as it develops a patina, the copper will continue to provide a stunning contrast with the wood. The eyelid arch over the louvers adds a softness to the design without disrupting its beautiful lines.
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This petite cedar cupola packs a lot of character into its small frame. Perfect for garages and sheds, this cupola features a flared base and either an aluminum or copper roof. The pillar-like molding is reminiscent of court buildings, adding a distinguished air to the design.
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​This unique cedar cupola comes from our Royal Crowne Custom line. It features an elongated copper roof to complement the heightened body of the cupola and a beautiful paneled base. This cupola is perfect for large homes and barns, allowing for plentiful sunlight.

Cedar Cupolas Add Beauty to Any Home

​At Valley Forge Cupolas, we love to help customers banish boring rooflines. Our cupola specialists can help you design a custom cupola that meets your exact needs and tastes and will add beauty to your home for years to come. Call the experts at Valley Forge Cupolas, 866-400-1776, and discover your dream cupola today!
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    About Us

    We are the "Cupola Specialists" who can help you with every aspect of your cupola selection. Let us do a customized digital quote so that you can see exactly how one of our beautiful vinyl or wood cupolas will look on your roof.

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