Cupola

[SteveeP]

I have wanted to add a cupola to my garage...long before it was even built. I keep re-visiting some of the company websites that sell the pre-built ones, but cannot justify the price ($1500 - $2000+). Based on the 36ft roofline, I am looking at a 36" - 42" square cupola (Azek/pvc) with windows (will be lighted), copper roof and weathervane (extra $$). I figure I could build one much cheaper(in Azek), but have not been able to find any building plans for one. Does anyone here have a source for plans, or have built one and would like to share?? Attached picture is the look/design I am going for.
Thanks,
Steve

 

[classicharleyj]

you might look at wayfairs
Jim

 

[matt_i]

I think its more about the scale and feel than the actual design, in oversimplification its a couple of square boxes stacked up with a pyramid-style roof. Azek isn't super structural so it would need some SPF or plywood skeleton inside.

That said if you could make a scale drawing (you can scale a picture too, done carefully) you could probably arrive at something that looks similar.

I think that is one of the places to pay highest attention to weatherproofing details and also flashing details to the roof. Stainless steel fasteners. In the pictured model, I very much dislike the nails or fasteners driven thru the copper. It would be worth the extra money to me to learn to solder the seams or drop it off at a coppersmith's shop on a trailer to have it well done.

 

[ALinCarolina]

I really considered making one for the shop I am building now but decided not to. I figured too difficult for maintenance what with birds roosting or nesting, mildew and the ever present spider webs. My roof will be metal though and too tall to reach with a pressure washer.

 

[JC23]

The New Yankee Workshop did a vid on doing just that - complete with copper roof. I learned a lot from that one...

 

[mechanic217]

This may help, I was told that all cupolas look smaller on the roof and that they should be 1 inch in width for every foot of ridge, or a 36 foot ridge needs a 36 inch wide cupola etc.
I would do a google search and just copy one you like , it is after all just basiclly a really small shed.

 

[coljar]

I wanted one with glass also, but the price they wanted was stupid expensive. Mine is the typical all aluminum with louvers. Down the road, if I want one with glass, I'll build and install it myself.

 

[Kaizen]

if/when you build one i'd build it so you could carry up each wall and each side of the roof. when built you often need a crane or lull to get it up undamaged. if I went through that much work i'd cut the roof and make it functional.

 

[Jlbc212]

I considered making one for my 36ft wide garage out of white pvc. I went to a store that stocked and sold them and just happened to find one 42" square with louvers that the store had deeply discounted. When I estimated the cost of the pvc and metal roofing material, it wasn't worth the time to make one. I bought the discounted one. I cut out about a square foot section of the roofing material at the peak of the roof. My son-in-law and I easily managed to carry the two sections up the roof, 10/12 pitch with roofing brackets and planks spaced about every five feet. I fastened it to the roof with cleats installed in the bottom section of the cupola. I mounted a programmable, multi-color led flood light up by the hole I made at the peak so that the light shines up into the cupola. I also installed a weathervane into the peak of the cupola.

 

[jhelrey]

Buy one off of Craigslist.

Many to choose from.

 

[oldmxracer]

$1500-$2000 It is not rocket science, it is a box that sets on Your roof !

Build Your own !

 

[cdestuck]

I built one just like that but used cut down to size shingles for the roof. I had no plans, just a pic. So I built a mock up from osb to see how it looked on my garden shed. then changed the size a bit to what I liked. For the light, I used a jelly jar light from Lowes with a cfl bulb.

 

[gnpenning]

X2 on the New Yankee workshop plans if they are still available.

 

[MushCreek]

I plan to build one for my barn, but the challenge lies in how to install it on my 28' tall roof. I'll either build it in sections small enough to fit through the opening, or hire a crane to set it in place. Still have to figure out how to weather-proof it without going out on the slick metal roof. I'd like to have operable swing-out windows for ventilation, with a ladder to go up there and open/close them. I have a loft, so access is easy from the inside. I'm also planning on a weathervane; another installation challenge.

 

[dgithens1]

There is also a step by instructions at FamilyHandyman dot com too. I think I'll add one to my house, just had it resided and new roof.

 

[SteveeP]

Well...so much for building one. Just scored a new (slightly damaged in shipping, but easily repairable) 48x48 all Azek, windows, copper roof...exactly what I wanted. Cost was over $2000 on manufacturers website. Found it on craigslist, and after some haggling and a 1 1/2 hour drive...I think I stole it for $600. Now... to repair it and get it on the roof. And find a weathervane for it.

 

[jives]

Well...so much for building one. Just scored a new (slightly damaged in shipping, but easily repairable) 48x48 all Azek, windows, copper roof...exactly what I wanted. Cost was over $2000 on manufacturers website. Found it on craigslist, and after some haggling and a 1 1/2 hour drive...I think I stole it for $600. Now... to repair it and get it on the roof. And find a weathervane for it.

Gotta love it when patience pays off!

 

[rburke65]

Ya got to love Craigslist! Good for you buddy. They sure set off the looks of a building. But we will need a "as bought" and a "repaired", and a final install photo.

 

[jhelrey]

We want pics!

 

[gahrajmahal]

Kinda sad you found that one. I was looking forward to your build thread.

 

[SteveeP]

To late for the "as bought" photo....repairs already underway. One corner of the base was messed up and one piece of glass broken. I was a little surprised at how flimsy these things are made, considering the price they get for them!! I found a couple areas that I will "improve" before it goes on the roof.
Will snaps some pics of repaired and installed.

 

[SteveeP]

Well it was cold and windy this past Saturday....but my "crown" was finally placed!!

 

[4cyclic]

Looks great.

 

[SteveeP]

Not a great one, but a night time shot....

 

[Bluedodge]

Looks good, Sir!

 

[flan]

Looks good who is the manufacturer? I wouldn't mind getting a blemish like you did.

 

[NUTTSGT]

With what or how did you light it ?

 

[SteveeP]

flan - It came from www.gooddirections.com out of CT. A builder in southeast MA listed it on craigslist for sale. My guess is it got delivered damaged and they sent him another one, did not want the damaged one returned...so he made $600 on it.

NUTTSGT - I jumped off my outside light circuit (which is on a small in wall timer) with another line, ran it up into the attic space, through the ridge vent opening and fixed a 4" round box with a porcelain light fixture. This is a gfi protected circuit. Started with a 60w led bulb, but that was WAY too bright. Down to a 25w now.

 

[rburke65]

That looks really nice steveeP! And I'm thinking you did well on the price. They really set off the building.