Replies

1. 
   nikkiwood | Jun 17, 2007 08:10am | #1

   try googling "garage cupola" .....

   here's one that came up:

   http://tinyurl.com/33kb94

   ********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

1. 
   user-246028 | Jun 17, 2007 04:41pm | #5

   Here's one I did.It was a bit of a task. The old cupola was rotted so bad that I could crane it down. The HO wanted to save the window section so I had to bring it down in one piece without touch the slate shingles on the way down.

   Once I had the old cupola down I had the window company repair the window company repair the windows. At the same time the copper company did the top. After that I put the two pieces together and craned it back up.

   Simple

   Dave

2. 
   mycarwood | Jun 17, 2007 03:28pm | #2

   Each state supposedly has it's own cupola design, or at least a take on it's own.  Do some research on barns in your area, and you will probably find that there might even be some plans for them around.  Try the building department, or your friend the architect, or the library.

1. 
   coinless | Jun 17, 2007 04:06pm | #3

   Here is a picture of ours we are building.

3. 
   Sphere | Jun 17, 2007 04:19pm | #4

   Active or passive?

   Active, you could use premade shutters or louvered doors for the sides, with a simple hip roof. This allows venting and bees to occur.

   Passive ( non-venting) you could frame w/studs and apply (gakkkk, cough, achoo) Vinyl shutter panels.

   Raised panels look cool..I don't have pics of the last one I did that had them..but keep in mind, maintanance is a serious issue.

   Don't forget the weather vane or air terminal on top..they look unfinished without an "exclamation mark".

    

4. 
   VaTom | Jun 17, 2007 04:43pm | #6

   Experiences, pictures, or references?

   Make sure it's light enough that you can get it up there. 

   Pretty sure you didn't have my cupola in mind.  I failed in raising it.  Now in storage, awaiting another (shorter) building.  Heavier than I thought, but with electric windows! 

   PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!

1. 
   rez | Jun 21, 2007 04:01am | #8

   Roar! I knew that was coming!Where is this division of labor to end? and what object does it finally serve? No doubt another may also think for me; but it is not therefore desirable that he should do so to the exclusion of my thinking for myself.

   -Thoreau's Walden

1. 
   VaTom | Jun 21, 2007 03:47pm | #9

   Cheap thrills.  Surprisingly, I seem to be the only one around who's tried that.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!

1. 
   GregGibson | Jun 21, 2007 05:44pm | #10

   FWW ran a great article, probably about ten years ago.  I'm sure I have the issue somewhere, because I loaned it to a friend, and HE RETURNED IT  ! ! !  That's the sort of thing you remember.

   I'll see if I can scout it out.

   Greg

   Edited 6/21/2007 10:45 am ET by GregGibson

1. 
   MikeSmith | Jun 22, 2007 02:46am | #12

   here's an 8' x 8' octagonal

    Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

2. 
   rez | Jun 22, 2007 07:02am | #14

   snorK*A sentimental reformer in architecture, he began at the cornice, not at the foundation. It was only how to put a core of truth within the ornaments, that every sugarplum, in fact, might have an almond or caraway seed in it — though I hold that almonds are most wholesome without the sugar — and not how the inhabitant, the indweller, might build truly within and without, and let the ornaments take care of themselves.-Thoreau's Walden

3. 
   VaTom | Jun 22, 2007 06:04pm | #15

   Where are the little green guys that came out of that thing?PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!

4. 
   JoeBartok | Jun 22, 2007 06:18pm | #16

   The Log VersionJoe Bartok

5. 
   BilljustBill | Jun 21, 2007 03:54am | #7

     Gentlemen,  Thank you for your help.

     I was also wondering how you would cut/make those curve cupola rafters.  I'd think for a 36"X36" framework, I'd need more than use four at the corners...

     Any drawing, plans, photos, or ideas?

      Thanks again for your help,

      Bill

1. 
   cdbeardie | Jun 21, 2007 09:25pm | #11

   There are several articles that are available in old FH mags, as well as Family Handiman (the OTHER FH magazine. I'm at work (not a paid day, so I'm not loafing!) I have them all set aside, and I'll send you the dates when I get home this afternoon.One of the articles has the "witch's hat" roof that I think you mean.The reason I've saved these articles is that we're about to build a shed styled on the lines of the Vermont "Sugar Shack". Instead of the large vents with a roof overhead, we're planning to put windows, cupola style. We don't really know how to build these. Plus, we'd like the windows to open. Any thoughts on that would be appreciated - or any ideas or places to get information or help???????Not sure how it's going to look. Building is an adventure. Plus, we're DIY's, and we're slow. Eventually, with perserverance, it gets done - usually..... I do appreciate this discussion, because we get a lot of questions answered here. It helps a lot.

6. 
   homewrite | Jun 22, 2007 03:30am | #13

        I built a cupola on a two story house in Houston, Texas. It has one fixed glass window and two operable awning windows. The operable windows are controlled by small electric motors. A splayed shaft drops down from the cupola through the attic to the second floor ceiling. This shaft also aligns with the far side of the entry stairwell. When the windows are open, the "chimney effect" draws air up through any opening on the first or second. This air flow cools the house at night for approximately 8 months out of the year.  During the other months the flowing air reduces the need for air conditioning. In additioin, light projects down into the second floor and stairwell during the day brightening up the center of the house.

        Houses in Houston must be designed for 110 mile per hour winds, so the rafters that supported the cupola had to be engineered accordingly. Laminated beams on the second floor supported part of the load that was transferred to them through the splayed walls. The drywall contractor finished the shaft and the interior of the cupola with a combination of ladders and scaffolding. Overall a lot of work, but a unique feature that was worth the time and effort.

   Judson Bryant

   [email protected]