Cupolas are attached to the top of roofs and are typically shaped like a dome. They have windows you can open to clear smoke from fireplaces, with the clear glass allowing light into the room. Cupolas are primarily made from wood or metal and are common in private buildings, churches, and barns.
In modern times, cupolas are used for their aesthetics and functional activities. The structure can add character to a building while providing light and an outlet for smoke. Cupolas also serve as a lookout or observation point, with the form proving useful to bird and sky watchers. However, this depends on the style.
There are many reasons to fix a cupola on your existing or new roof. Finding cupola ideas and plans may be challenging since this is not a popular project among DIYers. We understand this problem, so we’ve compiled free cupola plans. Follow this piece to access various cupola plans.
Materials And Tools Required
You build the cupola structure on your roof; you must have some tools and materials ready. This section provides a general list of supplies for the project. The specific cupola idea will determine the exact supplies to purchase.
Materials
- Lumber or Metal: For framing and sheeting the frames. The type you choose will depend on the style and quality required. For wooden cupolas, pine, and cedar are common types for wooden cupolas, while steel and aluminum are used when building a metal cupola.
- Roofing Material: This can be shingles or similar material to the rest of the roof.
- Windows or Vents: These are standard in cupolas to provide ventilation and aesthetics. Ventilation covers as well as glass or acrylic windows are some popular choices.
- Molding and Trim: They are strictly for aesthetic purposes.
- Waterproofing Materials: These are materials that help to seal the cupola and prevent water from entering the house. Flashing and weatherstripping will seal the cupola.
- Hardware: Nails, handles, screws, bolts, hinges, and other fasteners are part of the hardware you’ll need.
- Paint or Stain: These materials will improve the appeal and add durability to the cupola.
Tools
- Drill: To make pilot holes and drive fasteners like nails.
- Circular or Miter Saw: To cut curves in wood and the framing materials to the desired length.
- Measuring Tape: This is useful for getting accurate dimensions for the project.
- Carpenter’s level: It helps in aligning the parts.
- Router or Chisel: These are shaping tools to get the desired edges and shapes.
- Hammer: Useful to drive nails and tap in tight sections.
- Paint or Stain appliers: Materials to apply the stain or paint to the cupola. It can be rollers or brushes.
- Safety Equipment: Goggles, ear muffs, boots, and gloves that protect you from injuries when building.
DIY Cupola Plans
Cupolas are effective structures to add to your roof with their style improving the building’s aesthetics. Check out some DIY cupola plans to follow:
1. Cedar Cupola Design
Cedar wood is the primary building material for the cupola project, with vents on all four sides. With little natural light, you’ll get enough fresh air through the vents. The plan features detailed diagrams throughout the building process.
It’s one of the most informative plans on this list, with a cut list, X-ray perspective, material list, and size chart, all available to aid the building. The diagrams showing the overall dimensions in different views give a general idea. Roofing is easier with the section on how to size a cupola for a roof.
The intricate cuts and parts used for this project will require an experienced DIYer to complete. Sections like the vents, roof, roof rafters, brick mold, and corner posts make it easy to follow this plan.
2. Attractive Shingles Roof Cupola
Here’s a cupola built in three sections on the ground which includes the base, cube, and roof. Separating the sections makes it easier to take up the top, where the final assembly is completed. The guide is in two videos, with the first showing how to build the three sections on the ground and the second assembling on the roof.
Start by measuring the length of the roof and the pitch. A digital angle gauge is a helpful tool to get the correct pitch. Use a miter saw to cut all the lumbers at the required angles, then drill pilot holes using a drill to make assembling straightforward.
A miter gauge is a valuable tool for making dados in the wood, which helps assemble the vents on each side. You may need help taking these parts to the roof when joining. Paint the pieces before taking them up the top for ease.
3. DIY Cupola Using Louvers
Here’s another two-part video plan showing how to build a cupola using louvers for the vent. The first video contains the guide to making the base and cube and attaching the louvers to the vent area. Wood glue is used to hold the angled slats in the dados.
Make accurate markings on the wood before cutting with a miter saw and a miter gauge. With all the pieces cut down to size and the joints ready, you can start assembling. Wood glue and nails are used to make the base and cube sections of this cupola.
The roofing frame is made of wood, while the roof is sheet metal. The idea was to use a material different from the corrugated sheet metal used for roofing without losing durability.
4. Barn Cupola Using Reclaimed Materials
Cupolas can be placed on different sections of your house, with the barn one of its most common locations. This barn cupola is built using reclaimed materials which makes it inexpensive.
The contrasting color of the copular body is appealing and draws attention to it. Build the base using ¾” subfloor sheathing. It is not the most durable, but it works, especially with the cedar trims along the siding. Ensure to measure and cut the accurate roof pitch on the base.
Build the cube using 3×3″ cedar boards. You can purchase louvered pieces from stores or cut each piece from durable plywood. The aluminum screening will prevent bats from damaging it. Paint with the desired color after attaching the angled slats.
5. Large Cupola Design
If you have an extensive roof, an equally big cupola is required for sizing to be correct. The problem most DIYers have with building enormous cupolas is how to raise them to the roof. This plan makes the cupola into sections to build on the ground and mount without a crane.
The plan discussed the issue of sizing and why it is necessary to get it right. It is a four-gable cupola with an exciting look. Instead of having corner posts, this cupola design features four sides. Each side has a vent section with the sides assembled on the roof.
The complete details for the project are found in a pdf. It uses white-pine shiplap siding, white-cedar shingles, louvers made from sassafras, and trim pieces. Follow the guide and download the plan to build this large Cupola.
6. 36″ Square Cupola
This cupola measures 36 inches square and is perfect for a roof with a 29 feet long ridge. Like most cupolas built on the ground, it is made in three parts to aid lifting to the top. The base saddling on the rooftop, the louvered body, and a hip roof are the three major sections to build. You can adjust the cupola dimensions based on the size of your roof.
Cedar and exterior-grade plywood are the primary materials used for this project. Layer three coats of white exterior paint on the body, and you’ll get an attractive and classy cupola.
Play the sideshows to see detailed building processes for the sections. These sections include the louvered part, roof, and installation sections. It features a wind vane at the top for a more appealing look.
7. Treehouse Cupola
Here is a purely aesthetic cupola built for a treehouse. Its sides are covered using wooden boards, which means it won’t let in enough light into the treehouse. The fundamental nature of this project means it is easy to complete even by DIY beginners. However, the guide is not the most detailed.
Leftover pieces of pallets and boards were used for this cupola to save cost. 2×4 lumber makes up the frame and adds to the overall weight of the finished structure. Exact measurements were not provided in the plan, so you can make educated guesses during construction.
While the author didn’t stain the treehouse Cupola, it is best to stain yours for a better look and improved durability. Raising a bulky project like this can be a challenging task to accomplish. Use a pulley system, if possible, to lift the completed cupola to the roof.
8. Octagonal Clubhouse Cupola
Build this cupola with eight sides if you want a unique structure at the top of your roof. This project goes on top of a clubhouse for kids but can serve on any rooftop you install. The sides have vents with chicken wire lined in the insides to prevent birds from entering.
The base is flat since the roof section carrying the cupola is also balanced. You don’t need to make pitch-angled cuts for this project. Start by cutting all the parts, which include eight pieces for the base, sill, and soffit. These parts require the right angles to ensure they fit into an octagon. You also need to cut the corner posts and roof frame.
To build the roof, you must cover it with a plywood countertop board before lining the corners using flexible metal. Cover with roofing felt for waterproofing before adding three layers of shingles. The louvers and sill were painted white, while the posts, base, and soffit were painted purple. You can use any fitting paint color.
9. Chicken Coop Cupola With Weathervane
This cupola for a chicken coop is purely for aesthetics as it is fixed directly on the roofing material. It resembles the chicken coop with a white body and roofing metal with slightly rusted parts. Apart from its appeal, it also serves as a bird’s nest.
Pressure-treated plywood and regular plywood were used for this project. You can utilize leftover wooden pieces to save costs. Start cutting the shape on the table saw to build this 20″ tall by 18″ wide cupola.
Assembling the boards will require proper alignment to avoid making a crooked structure. Use a 1.5″ screw and a drill to secure the panels. It would help if you held the boards with clamps while joining, especially without extra helping hands. Finish with white exterior paint or any stain of your choosing.
FAQ’s
We’ve compiled some questions about cupolas and answered them. Follow this FAQ section as you may find that a troubling question has been answered.
Ans: Thankfully you don’t need to worry about the height of your cupola once you’ve determined the width. This is because the height is always in proportion to its base.
Ans: A building can have more than one cupola if it’s long enough or has multiple roofing surfaces. Ensure their sizing is accurate, and enjoy a charming look at the top of your house.
Ans: Centering the cupola on the roof makes it more appealing and cohesive. You don’t have to center the cupola accurately, but placing it at the center will balance the roofline.
Ans: You can install finials which are decorative ornaments on top of the cupola. Weathervanes and lightning rods are also popular installations on cupolas. You can also leave the cupola top plain without any additions.
Conclusion
Cupolas can be installed for their aesthetics, light, and ventilation capacities. These structures on top of the roof have remained relevant over time. Sizing is essential to get the correct proportions of the cupolas to the rest of the roof.
By
