When choosing a cupola, homeowners have many questions: Should I get windows or louvers? Do I want a concave copper roof or a straight aluminum roof? What accents should I get? And importantly, what size cupola do I need? It is important that a cupola be properly sized, otherwise it can throw off the entire balance of your home’s appearance. Here are some tips for choosing the right width, height, and number of cupolas for your home or building.
What Size Cupola Do I Need? Tips from the Pros
There are four main factors that will influence the size of your cupola: the length of the roofline, the overall size of the building, the purpose of the cupolas, and the overall aesthetic. First, let’s start with the length of your roofline. A general rule of thumb for determining the width of a cupola’s base is to have a minimum of 1.25” of cupola for every foot of unbroken roof ridge line. This gives you a range of sizes to choose from: for example, a 24’ roof could accommodate a cupola as small as 30” wide and as large as 36” wide.
Narrowing down these options takes us to our second factor: the overall size of the building. 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. This is commonly seen on barns, with either a row of small, identical cupolas, or a large center cupola and smaller cupolas on either end.
Next you should consider the purpose of the cupola: is it functional (providing light and/or ventilation) or decorative? If it is decorative, you can skip straight to aesthetics. But for functional cupolas, their end use plays an important role in design consideration. For example, if you are using cupolas to add ventilation to your attic, you may choose two smaller cupolas at either end for improved air flow. If the goal is to let in natural light, you may want a large central cupola with tall windows to brighten up a larger area.
Lastly, the width, height, and number of cupolas you choose must ultimately complement the architecture and design of your home. If the cupola is too small, it will look like an afterthought or a toy. If the cupola is too large, it will overwhelm the visual space of your roofline. At Valley Forge Cupolas, we offer free digital quotes so that you can see exactly how a cupola will look on your home. A properly proportioned cupola is the crowning glory of any home!
To add a stunning custom cupola to your home or building, call us today at 866-400-1776! We look forward to matching you with the cupola of your dreams.
Narrowing down these options takes us to our second factor: the overall size of the building. 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. This is commonly seen on barns, with either a row of small, identical cupolas, or a large center cupola and smaller cupolas on either end.
Next you should consider the purpose of the cupola: is it functional (providing light and/or ventilation) or decorative? If it is decorative, you can skip straight to aesthetics. But for functional cupolas, their end use plays an important role in design consideration. For example, if you are using cupolas to add ventilation to your attic, you may choose two smaller cupolas at either end for improved air flow. If the goal is to let in natural light, you may want a large central cupola with tall windows to brighten up a larger area.
Lastly, the width, height, and number of cupolas you choose must ultimately complement the architecture and design of your home. If the cupola is too small, it will look like an afterthought or a toy. If the cupola is too large, it will overwhelm the visual space of your roofline. At Valley Forge Cupolas, we offer free digital quotes so that you can see exactly how a cupola will look on your home. A properly proportioned cupola is the crowning glory of any home!
To add a stunning custom cupola to your home or building, call us today at 866-400-1776! We look forward to matching you with the cupola of your dreams.
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