Replies

1. 
   JohnSprung | Aug 18, 2006 09:38pm | #1

   I'd think in terms of cutting and bending something from sheet.  A two foot square of 16 oz. is about $18 last I heard.  Another approach might be to make eight little standing seam pie-shaped pieces out of scrap, and solder a brass machine screw into the top to attach it. 

    

    

   -- J.S.

    

2. 
   VaTom | Aug 19, 2006 02:18am | #2

   Unlikely in your budget, but here, a pineapple's traditional.  Symbol of hospitality.  Usually stylized.  I've made several.

   You really want something to cap it (finalize), just like you want something at the bottom to look like it's finished.  Disconcerting otherwise.

   Loosen the budget? 

   PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!

3. 
   ponytl | Aug 19, 2006 02:29am | #3

   i think you can do the same thing out of galvanized and be ok.... you know it's the new copper :)

   p

1. 
   DougU | Aug 19, 2006 07:23am | #4

    you know it's the new copper

   Poor man's copper!

4. 
   danski0224 | Aug 19, 2006 02:59pm | #5

   I recently paid $150 for a 3' x 8' sheet of 16oz copper from a wholesaler. I do not buy pallets of it at a time, so my cost is likely higher than a roofing contractor (some of them now seem to be using 12/14oz copper in an effort to trim costs- or keep costs and profit the same). Works out to about $6.25 a square foot for my 16oz material.

   Knowing my luck, prices are a bit lower now...

   In my experience, storebought cupola/gazebo copper stuff is paper thin, but the prices are high.

   If the design is simple (flat geometric shapes without curves and simple standing seams), and if you are willing to provide a pattern, a competent sheet metal shop should be able to make what you want in the shop without going to the job. That way, you will only pay for shop time and materials.

   A simple flattened cone could also work.

   Still might be difficult to get something fabbed up and watertight (soldered not caulk) for your budget number. Probably impossible if the sheet metal guy has to fab onsite.

   Colored aluminum coil stock could be an option.