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Winterizing Your Cupola: Maintenance and Preservation Tips

11/21/2023

The winter is upon us, which means winter storms, snow, and brutal temperatures. After you’ve invested in a beautiful couple for your home or business, it’s important to keep your cupola looking great (even in the winter time).

What’s great about our high-quality cupolas is that they do not require much maintenance at all! We use the highest quality vinyl and other materials that can withstand winds, rain, snow, and more. That’s why we’re known as the cupola experts in the area! Below, learn about how to keep your cupola looking spectacular all winter long.

Check Your Cupola Before Winter Hits

Before inclement weather hits, give your cupola an inspection to make sure everything is looking great. Look your cupola over for rust or debris that may be hanging from the structure and ensure the cupola is properly closed. Performing a quick inspection before winter hits can help you prevent issues before they worsen or occur. Using a gentle brush or a broom can help you brush away any spiderwebs, leaves, or other debris left over from the fall.

Should You Remove Snow from Your Cupola?

We get this question often from our customers. If it snows heavily, you may want to create a plan for snow accumulation on your cupola. Light snowfall is generally not a problem but very heavy or wet snow could cause wear and tear on your cupola. This is generally only a major issue in areas that are heavily affected by major snowstorms.

Protective Coverings

Protecting or covering your cupola during winter storms is generally not necessary. Our cupolas are heavy-duty enough to withstand all the elements! However, it’s certainly fine to protect your cupola with a covering if you wish. If you’re using a ladder to get onto the roof, make sure to be careful! Ladder accidents and falls are not worth adding a protective cover.

Ask Us About Protecting Your Cupola

Have questions about protecting your cupola properly in the winter? Contact us today and we’d be happy to provide specialized guidance as the cupola experts. We look forward to hearing from you!

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Cupolas: Are they only for historical buildings?

11/20/2023

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Cupolas have added a stunning appearance to buildings for many centuries. However, many people today believe that cupolas only have a place in historical or classic buildings. Although cupolas are commonly seen on structures with elaborate architecture, cupolas have a place in modern buildings too. As the Valley Forge Cupola experts, we’re here to tell you that every building can be enhanced by a cupola.

Cupolas for Functionality

As pretty as they are, cupolas also serve an important use when added to gazebos, barns, homes, and other structures. Windowed cupolas allow light to flow in, while also providing ventilation for spaces. Cupolas also often have weathervanes on top, which add a personal flair. Our wide selection of handcrafted weathervanes comes in every shape imaginable, from American Flags to sea life and more. No matter what your interest is, we guarantee we have a weathervane that will match your style!

Cupolas for Style

Many newer construction homes are made with cupolas too, adding a unique look that matches the structure of the home. Even for homes that are ten or more years old, we can help you find a style of cupola that appropriately matches the architectural design of your home. The most important part of selecting a cupola is to make sure the style, color, and design appropriately match the home.

Our cupolas are made right here in the USA and use the highest quality, durable materials. We take pride in creating cupolas that uniquely fit each home and continue to look great for years to come. Using vinyl and other durable materials means you won’t have to worry about maintenance for your cupola or weathervane either.

Cupolas for Energy Efficiency

Cupolas hold an important place in modern buildings for their energy efficiency purposes too. The natural ventilation from the openings inside a louver coupla allows hot air to escape from inside, helping to regular indoor air temperatures. By allowing warm air to rise and exit, you can help save costs on cooling your space throughout the summer months.

Ready to get started putting together your cupola? Contact us today to discuss options. We look forward to hearing from you!

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Are Cupolas Allowed in HOAs?

11/20/2023

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Throughout our years in the cupola industry, we’ve learned a thing or two about the most frequently asked questions by our customers. When purchasing a cupola for residential use, our customers who live in homeowner’s associations often ask us if cupolas are allowed in their communities.

In this post, we’ll dive into what you need to know about making roof additions like cupolas when living in an HOA.

What are HOAs?

A homeowner’s association, or HOA, is a residential development that has specific rules for its residents. Often, these rules are designed to keep the homes in the neighborhood looking consistent and uniform. Homes usually use the same type of siding material, color schemes, or other exterior structures to create a uniform look.

The rules of every HOA are different. Some homeowner’s associations are stricter, whereas others have very little to no rules. Before making any changes to your home, it’s important to get approval from your homeowner’s association.

How to Add a Cupola While in a Homeowner’s Association

Since the rules for every homeowner’s association vary, we recommend checking the guidelines with your HOA before shopping for a cupola. Homeowner’s associations may have rules that specify what type of additions can be made to a roof line or what types of materials must be used. While this can be frustrating to have to take this step as a homeowner, doing so before purchasing a cupola will save you time and hassle. Homeowners who do not check with their HOA before making changes to their roofs can be left with fines and other hassles.

If your HOA has provided a permit or permission to add a cupola to your home, you’re in luck! Our Valley Forge Cupola experts can help you find the best sizing, colors, and materials for this exciting addition to your home. We have a keen eye for style, which means we’ll work with your home’s style to create a cohesive look when you add a cupola. We also offer digital quotes that can help visualize how a cupola will look on your roof. Get started by contacting us today!

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Exploring Different Types of Cupolas

11/15/2023

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At Valley Forge Cupolas, it is our goal to make shopping for a cupola easier than ever before. For our customers, it is often the first time browsing cupolas which can be both exciting and overwhelming. Luckily, we’ve been in the cupola industry for decades and are here to share our knowledge and expertise.

Understanding the different types of cupolas available can help guide your shopping and make it easier to narrow down your selection. Below, explore a brief overview of the different types of cupolas and their uses.

Louvered Cupolas
Louvered coupolas provide a classic look and are widely used for both residential and commercial buildings. These cupolas are best for providing natural ventilation and allowing natural light to flow into a space. A louvered cupola has a square or rectangle base with a pitched roof. Our louvered cupolas come in a variety of sizes, designed to meet the needs of different roof types and areas.

Windowed Cupolas
If you’re looking for a cupola with a bit more going on than a louvered cupola, check out our window cupolas. These add style and sophistication with window designs and can have different types of roof tops. Some window cupolas have domed roofs, while others have a classic concave design. Window cupolas are popular on barns and gazebos.

Signature Series

Our signature series cupolas come with unique and customized molding applications, designed to fit specific buildings. This series is one of our most elegant ones available, perfect for splurging on a little something extra special. These cupolas coome with stunning copper roofs and are made with the highest quality cellular PVC vinyl to ensure durability.

Exploring all Cupola Styles
These three collections are only a few of the many available options to you at Valley Forge Cupolas. We’re here to assist however possible in your shopping experience! As cupola experts, we can help answer questions and guide you, ensuring the perfect purchase and installation of an exceptional cupola.
To get started, reach out to us and let us know what you’re looking for. We look forward to working together on your cupola project!

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Winterizing Your Cupola: Maintenance and Preservation Tips

Check Your Cupola Before Winter Hits

Should You Remove Snow from Your Cupola?

Protective Coverings

Ask Us About Protecting Your Cupola

Cupolas: Are they only for historical buildings?

Cupolas for Functionality ​

Cupolas for Style

Cupolas for Energy Efficiency ​

Are Cupolas Allowed in HOAs?

What are HOAs?

How to Add a Cupola While in a Homeowner’s Association

Exploring Different Types of Cupolas

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