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How Tall Should a Cupola Be? Answers from the Cupola Experts!

8/23/2018

28 Comments

 
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When designing the perfect cupola for their home, many homeowners ask us, “How tall should a cupola be?” Of all the key measurements for a cupola, height is one of the most flexible. For sheds and small garages a lower profile cupola might be appropriate, while multi-level buildings provide the opportunity for greater heights.

How to Size a Cupola

When sizing a cupola, you must consider pitch, width, and height:
  • Pitch is determined by the number of inches your roof rises vertically for every 12 inches it extends horizontally. In other words, from the peak of your roof measure 12 inches out, then measure down until you meet the slope of your roof. If your vertical measurement is 10”, then your roof’s pitch is 10:12. Pitch is easily measured using a T-square.
  • To determine the width of a cupola’s base, the general rule of thumb is a minimum of 1.25” of cupola for every foot of unbroken roof ridge line. There is some variation, however, depending on the size of your home or structure. Single story, low-pitched roofs look better with a cupola on the smaller end of the scale, whereas buildings with steeper roof pitches or multiple levels may require a cupola closer to a 1.5”/foot ratio. For long roof lines (typically 50’ or longer), using multiple, smaller cupolas often provides a better aesthetic than one large cupola.
  • So how tall should a cupola be? For standard cupolas, the height is determined by the size of the base. But with our custom cupola designs, the height can be designed to meet your needs and personal style. Let’s look at a few examples.

How Tall Should a Cupola Be?

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For smaller structures - such as sheds, gazebos, and small garages - a shorter cupola is a sleek, subtle accent that still gives the benefit of extra ventilation.
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For larger structures, taller cupolas are a stunning statement piece, creating a whole new look for your home or barn. Extending the vent (middle) section of your cupola brings more ventilation and/or light into your home, adding to the quality of your indoor living space as well.
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There are four ways to add height to a cupola: extend the base, extend the vents, extend the roof, or extend all three. For the custom Morton Cupola above, we added height to both the base and vents to keep the look proportionate, and then paired them with a dramatically tapered roof to achieve the final desired height. With the custom Prairie Window Cupola, an additional, custom-molding base added a boost of height as well as extra visual interest. Lastly, the custom Morton Cupola makes a bold statement with elongated louvers, a shiplap base, and a unique roof shape that accentuates its height.

Discover Your Dream Cupola Today!

If you are looking for the perfect custom cupola, call the cupola experts at Valley Forge Cupolas and Weathervanes today: 866-400-1776.
28 Comments
Ray Worthington
2/20/2020 01:17:38 pm

My shed cupola should have a 15 base. How tall should it be?

Reply
Beverly link
2/20/2020 01:21:23 pm

The 15" shed cupolas are 20" high. We sure cupolas by the width and the height would be determined by the cupola style.

Reply
Beverly Trivane link
5/1/2020 07:40:38 am

A 15" wide shed cupola is about 20" tall depending on the roof style.

Sheds For Sale NZ link
4/30/2020 11:39:22 pm

This is a really informative blog and some extra knowledge has been given about a cupola tree. Loved reading information gathered from the expert of cupola trees. Appreciate your efforts of putting here in the article.

Reply
Jim Assemany
8/18/2020 03:02:23 pm

I have a hip roof on a stationary dock. The roof is a 6/12 and comes to a point. The fascia boards on all four sides are 16 feet long. I want a cupola with Windows. How tall should the cupola be?

Reply
Valley Forge Cupolas link
8/18/2020 03:31:36 pm

Hello Jim-AM I sizing the cupola for a 16' wide roof?If so I would recommend a 24" wide cupola. The height is determined by the style of the cupola. Cupolas with concave roofs are usually twice as tall as they are wide, With a straight roof, the cupola is shorter.

Reply
Jim Assemany
8/18/2020 03:42:55 pm

Ok 24 inches wide. I want a straight roof, copper. Windows in the middle section. What will be the overall height?

Valley Forge Cupolas link
8/18/2020 03:46:28 pm

Our CNC Window style cupola with a straight roof is 24"x x 45"h

Reply
Susan A Atwell
10/13/2020 05:39:10 am

Good morning. I have a 22 can I have two car garage. This is a ranch style home. And addition is on the garage with a roof line of 3 feet. Would a 24 inch cupola look good. Would you suggest concave roof or straight roof. I don't want it to be so massive. Also your garden weathervanes do they come with an extension Rod to be put inside the roof of the cupola. I don't want to get a Weathervane that is too big please give me your opinions thank you for your time

Reply
Valley Forge Cupolas link
10/13/2020 07:42:27 am

Ami Sizing the cupola for a 24' wide roof? Then I would suggest a 28 or 30" wide cupola. the cottage weathervanes usually go on a 24" or smaller cupola. You would not need an extension rod. Please contact me at 866-400-1776 if you have other questions.
Thank you, Beverly

Reply
Stacy Purcell
12/9/2020 09:54:31 am

How do you take into account a hip roof? I have a shed that is 16x12 with a hip roof, so although the lower portion of the roof is that size, the top ridgeline is much smaller. Pitch is 9/12.

Reply
ValleyForge Cupolas link
12/9/2020 10:06:25 am

Hello Stacy for a hip roof we would size the cupola for the 16' width. I would suggest a 24" wide cupola. Sometimes with a hip roof we may go down a size to 22" or 20" wide for the cupola.

Reply
Stephen VandenHeuvel
1/20/2021 07:28:35 am

I have a 42 x 36 small barn. The roof line follows the 42' long. Looking to size a single capola for it. 2 I think would be overkill for decoration. Thinking 48" wide but how tall should it be? With and/or without roof top.

Reply
Valley Forge Cupolas link
1/20/2021 08:14:20 am

A cupola with a Concave Roof is usually twice as tall as it is wide. Cupolas with straight roofs are shorter. A 48" wide cupola will look great on your 32' barn. Don't worry about the height of the cupola. You want the cupola to be large enough to stand out on your roof.
Thank you, Beverly

Reply
Drew
2/16/2021 05:22:26 am

Hi. I am planning to put a cupola on my hen house. The dimensions of the hen house are 5' x 6' with a 7/12 pitch. Height from the ground to roof ridge will be a little over 8'. What size cupola would you recommend? Also, when you reference cupola height, is that from the hen hiuse roof ridge to the tip of the cupola roof, or does that exclude the cupola roof height? Thanks!

Reply
Valley Forge Cupolas link
2/16/2021 07:56:12 am

The smallest size cupola that we have is a 15"w x 20"h shed cupola.
The 20" height is from the bottom to the top of the cupola. Here is a link for our shed cupolas. https://www.valleyforgecupolas.com/woodshed-cupolas.html

Reply
Sheryl l Thornton
7/17/2021 05:52:45 pm

I have a Spanish home. I'd like to put a cupola on my garage which is a standard 400 sq. foot garage. My home is a single story, only 1300 sq. feet and I have a tile roof. I'm not sure of roof specification you refer to? Can you give me an estimate of what I would need? Thanks, Sheryl

Reply
Valley Forge Cupolas link
7/18/2021 06:13:56 am

Hello Sheryl,
How many feet across from left to right is your garage? That is how we sizw=e a cupola.Do you have a one or a two car garage? A2-car garage usually gets a 30 or a 32" wide cupola. What style cupola did you like from y website?
Thank you, Beverly

Reply
Todd Hardy
6/20/2022 01:49:52 pm

I have a straight roof garage. 40x20 First floor is 10 feet. The roof is 12/12 with 2 dormers. So I think a big cupola in the middle would be nice. How tall do you think? I am thinking 48" wide at base?

Reply
Valley Forge Cupolas link
6/20/2022 01:59:02 pm

A 48" cupola would be the perfect size for a 40' wide roof. A cupola is usually twice as tall as it is wide. The cupola height depends on the cupola style. What cupola did you like from my website?

Reply
Cathy Hinckley
7/10/2023 06:04:32 am

I have a 15' w enclosed porch... approximately 12' long 5/12pitvh gable...a 24" cupola. How far back on the ridge should I set the cupola?

Reply
Valley Forge Cupolas link
7/10/2023 07:20:32 am

I would suggest putting the cupola in the center of your roof.
Thanks you, Beverly

Reply
Bill
7/11/2023 06:06:14 pm

I am building a 104 long' building with a 4-12 pitch roof. I am thinks of putting on 2 cupolas. What size would you recommend. Width and height?

Reply
Valley Forge Cupolas link
7/12/2023 06:18:47 am

For a 104' roof I would suggest two 66" cupolas.Cupolas are usually twice as tall as they are wide depending other style. Thanks you, Beverly

Reply
Steve
10/31/2024 11:54:43 am

Looking for your opinion: We have a barn being built with a footprint of 42' x 36', with an unbroken roof line of 30 ft. This is a 2.5 garage bay with side shed. I think the optimal size is 44" wide along the ridge and roughly 60" tall to the top of the roof. Cupola roof to have same pitch as buildings roof. Roof's pitch is 11:12. Would these dimensions make sense?

Reply
Valley Forge Cupolas link
10/31/2024 12:12:15 pm

Thank you for contacting Valley Forge Cupolas. We recommend a 48" wide cupola for a 40' roofline. The height would depend on the style of the cupola.A cupola is usually twice as tall as it is wide. What style cupola did you like from my website? Please let me know. Thank you, Beverly

Reply
Lay Monk Jeffery
3/13/2025 05:36:00 am

I have a 40 foot roof, I am wanting to install 2 cupolas, would 30 inches wide be too wide and how tall should they be? I would be more than happy to submit a photo so you could assist and give recommendations on what you have to offer a well.
Thank you kindly for your time.

Reply
Valley Forge Cupolas link
3/13/2025 06:24:43 am

Thank you for contacting Valley Forge Cupolas. You can send a photo of your building to [email protected]. You could use two 28" wide cupolas for your 40' roofline. We size cupolas by the width, not the height. A cupola is usually twice as tall as it is wide depending on the style of the cupola. What style cupola did you like from my website? Please let me know and I will do a quote for you. Thanks you, Beverly

Reply



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