Blog Archives

Banish Boring Rooflines with a Window Cupola

6/24/2016

Add warmth and beauty to your home with a window cupola from Valley Forge Cupolas. Our cupola bases are built from cedar or Azek Vinyl, which is a completely maintenance-free material. We use all stainless steel fasteners, and the caps are made with 16 oz. copper (a.k.a. 24-gauge copper). The quality craftsmanship and materials that go into our cupolas mean they will last for generations.

The CNC (pictured above) is our most popular model of window cupola, with a concave roof and wide, arched windows. Whether you choose copper, colored aluminum, or painted steel for your cupola roof, it is sure to add character and style to your home.

You can customize your window cupola further with these options:

Caps are available in straight, concave, and bell shapes.
Windows can be arched, prairie style, and single or double. Taller cupolas also offer more panes per window.
Number of Sides: choose from square (4-sided) or hexagonal (6-sided) cupolas.
You can even customize the trim and molding!

You can even combine windows and louvers in your cupola.

Add a Lantern for Extra Flare

If you want to take your window cupola to the next level, add one of our beautiful lanterns. They offer you and your guests a warm, cheery welcome, and they promise lasting beauty and durability throughout the years to come.

Why Buy From Valley Forge Cupolas and Weathervanes?

Since 2001, we have been designing and selling custom cupolas, becoming roof-beautification experts. Experienced Pennsylvania craftsmen make all of our cupolas with care and artistry. We have worked with these craftsmen for years and know that their quality of work is unparalleled and will perfectly realize your cupola design.

We love working one-on-one with our customers to help them choose a cupola that is:

the right size
the right style
and the right price!

We pride ourselves on the quality of our products and the happiness of our customers. Our philosophy is to always deal with our customers fairly and reasonably, so we guarantee 100% satisfaction. You can return a product for any reason! Simply call us for a return authorization within 14-calendar days of receiving the item. And we will never charge you a restocking fee!

We are also the only custom cupola company who can provide you with a FREE digital quote! Simply send a photo of your home, garage, or other building, to MagicCupolas@ValleyForgeCupolas.com, and we will send you a digital representation of what the building will look like with one of our cupolas.

If you’ve been thinking about getting a cupola for your home, now is the best time to act. Until July 4th we are having a sale: 72% off cupolas and weathervanes! Don’t wait another day: call us at 866-400-1776 and get your custom cupola today!

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The History of Weathervanes

6/17/2016

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Weathervanes have been around for over 2,000 years, invented by the Greek astronomer Andronicus in 48 B.C. to determine the direction of the wind. The first weathervane – also called a “wind vane” – was fashioned to look like the Greek god Triton, who had the head and torso of a man and the tail of a fish. It was roughly 4 to 8 feet long and was placed atop the Tower of the Winds. This tower – also built by Andronicus – was a time-keeping structure, with both sundial features and a water clock (clepsydra) to keep time when the sun wasn’t shining. The tower was octagonal, and each of the eight faces portrayed a different wind deity. Whichever god Triton indicated was the one who controlled the weather that day.

By the 9th century weathervanes had made their way to Scandinavia. These weathervanes had a unique shape that involved a 90° arc and were topped with an animal or creature from Norse fables. They were used on Viking ships and Scandinavian churches, and can still be seen in Sweden and Norway today.

The popularity of weathervanes in Europe expanded rapidly in the 9th century, thanks to a papal edict. Rome decreed that every church should have a cockerel (rooster) on its dome or steeple as a reminder of Jesus’ prophecy that the rooster would not crow before Peter had denied Him three times (Luke 22:34). While not originally intended as weathervanes, these cockerels were eventually combined with weathervanes to produce the "weather cock", which is still common today. This transformation is likely because the cockerels, being mounted on the church steeples, were easily visible from anywhere in town, making them the logical choice to act as communal weathervanes.

More modern weathervanes likely get their designs from the banners that flew from medieval towers in Britain, Normandy and Germany. The word “vane” is derived from the Angle-Saxon word “fane,” which means “flag.” These pennants – first made from cloth, then from metal balanced to turn in the wind – were crucial in battle, showing archers the direction of the wind.

Beautiful Weathervanes from Valley Forge Cupolas

Whether you favor the traditional weather cock or a classic banner shape, we have the perfect weathervane for your home. If you don’t wish to place a weathervane on your roof, we also sell floor stands and garden poles so that you can place your weathervane in the yard.

Call us today at 866-400-1776 and add a beautifully sculpted weathervane to your home!

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Four of the Most Famous Cupolas in the World

6/10/2016

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For thousands of years cupolas have been gracing the tops of churches, government buildings, and other significant structures around the world. Their elegant dome shape adds beauty to a building while providing light and air circulation. The larger ones even offer spectacular views! Today we’ll look at four of the most famous cupolas throughout the world:

Photo: Jimmy Harris, Flickr Creative Commons

St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Italy

St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the most holy Catholic sites and is the largest church in the world. Completed in 1590 and named for Saint Peter, one of Jesus’ twelve apostles, the church’s dome was designed by none other than Michelangelo. This impressive dome rises 452 feet above the pavement, making it the tallest in the world. A staggering 551 stairs climb through the cathedral to the dome’s entrance; the climb is well worth it, however, as the inside of the dome is beautifully decorated with intricate paintings and sculptures. It also offers a spectacular view of Vatican City to the thousands of tourists that flock there every year.

Photo: Mark Fischer, Flickr Creative Commons

Sacre-Coeur in Paris, France

Dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, plans for Sacre-Coeur began in December 1870, with the dome incorporated into the design in 1871. This beautiful basilica was completed in 1914 and is second only to the Eiffel Tower in height, providing views of the entire city of Paris. The dome is accessed from the outside by scaling 300 steps to the top. From there you can also view some of the stunning statuary, such as St. George and the Dragon, pictured above.

Photo: HarshLight, Flickr Creative Commons

Leaning Tower of Pisa in Pisa, Italy

The Tower of Pisa was constructed in three stages over 199 years. The tower began to sink and tilt only five years after construction began because it had an inadequate foundation and was built on ground too soft on one side to properly support the structure’s weight. The tower is capped with a stunning cupola that houses seven bells and offers visitors a stunning view of the surrounding countryside.

Photo: Kate Brady, Flickr Creative Commons

The Onion Domes of Saint Basil in Moscow, Russia

At the very center of Moscow sits a colorful cluster of cupolas atop Saint Basil’s cathedral. Ivan the Terrible ordered their construction in 1555. There are eight cupolas, each with a unique and bold color combination, which has led to much dispute about which architectural style could have inspired such eccentricity.

Custom Cupolas for Your Home

Your house may not be a cathedral, but you can still add beauty and unique architecture to your home with a custom cupola from Valley Forge Cupola and weathervanes. Whether you prefer window cupolas with bell-shaped caps or louvered cupolas with straight lines and a tall spire, we have the custom cupola that you are sure to love.

Call us today at 866-400-1776 to learn more about our custom cupolas!

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The History of Cupolas

6/3/2016

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Photo: massmatt, Flickr Creative Commons

Cupolas are a common architectural design, yet many people don’t know the history of these architectural marvels.

The first recorded use of cupolas dates back to the early 8th century when they were incorporated into most Islamic architecture, particularly mosques. They often topped minarets – a tall, slender tower attached to a mosque – and had one or more projecting balconies from which the muezzin (crier) would call the faithful to prayer.

Over time, cupolas became common fixtures on domestic dwellings in the Middle East and India. It is believed that Moors (a mixed race of Arabs and Berbers from North Africa) eventually brought cupola architecture to Spain and the rest of Europe. Cupolas also led to the “onion dome” design, as seen in St. Petersburg. In addition to being exceptionally decorative, the incline of the dome allows snow to slide off the cupolas, preventing roof cave-ins.

Once cupolas became a staple of English domestic architecture, their spread to America was inevitable. Cupolas are prominent in American architecture, particularly during the post-Revolutionary Federalist era, as seen in the design of the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.

Around this same time, Americans who wished to distinguish themselves from their neighbors began to place cupolas on their residences and surrounding outdoor structures, such as barns and stables.

Soon people became aware of the practical benefits of cupolas: namely, that they allow light and ventilation into a structure. This lead to a rapid increase in cupola popularity, and if you travel through America – particularly New England – you will find thousands of cupolas still adorning homes, barns and other structures.

Cupolas remain a common fixture on barns and stables across the country as farmers take advantage of the ventilation they offer. When a cupola is installed above a hayloft, it helps to keep the hay from becoming damp and rotting. Likewise, cupolas keep stables properly ventilated in winter without allowing drafts, keeping the air healthy for the livestock.

Add Beauty and Style to Your Home With a Cupola

The rich history of cupolas continues to this day, with a variety of shapes and styles available to compliment any home. All of our cupolas are handmade by skilled Pennsylvania craftsmen with years of experience. Built from high-quality, durable, materials, our cupolas will add beauty to your home for years to come.

We have been dealing in cupolas for 15 years, and enjoy working with our customers to craft a custom cupola they will love. If you aren’t sure how your house or garage would look with a cupola, simply email a photo to MagicCupolas@ValleyForgeCupolas.com and we will give you a FREE custom digital quote. We’re confident that when you see how a cupola adds character to your home, you will want to purchase one!

Call us at 866-400-1776 and get your custom cupola today!

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Banish Boring Rooflines with a Window Cupola

The History of Weathervanes

Four of the Most Famous Cupolas in the World

The History of Cupolas﻿

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