Cupola Can Add Charm To Just About Any Home

Fri., Jan. 9, 1998

Don And Dave Runyan U-Bild Features

With all the benefits cupolas offer, it’s a wonder every house doesn’t have one.

First, cupolas add charm and improve the appearance of a home. Second, they are inexpensive and easy to build. Third, with a little extra work, they can be installed for ventilation, allowing hot air to escape from the attic and lowering cooling costs all summer long.

This project is an excellent one for do-it-yourselfers who want the aesthetic qualities of a cupola, as well as for those willing to do the extra work for ventilation. It is, however, a good idea to consult with a professional about installation before cutting a hole in the roof.

The cupola pictured here was designed to fit any roof, regardless of pitch. Materials include 16 feet of 1-by-12 pine, 44 feet of 1-by-2 pine, 20 feet of 2-by-2 pine and three pieces of exterior plywood, along with wood screws, nails and glue.

The completed cupola measures 25 inches square by about 36 inches tall (not including the weather vane), depending on the roof’s pitch.

The Cupola plan, No. 348, is $7.95 and includes step-by-step directions with 14 photos, full-size traceable patterns, exploded diagrams and a complete shopping list. Patterns for the horse-shaped weather vane and directional letters are also included.

A package of patio projects, No. C99, is $18.95 and includes four other warm-weather projects, including a sun trellis, a patio wall and planter, a brick patio and a wood deck. A catalog picturing hundreds of projects is $3.95. Prices include postage and handling. Please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery (for first-class mail, add $1 per item up to $3 maximum).

MEMO: To order by mail, clip this article and send it with a check or money order to U-Bild Features, c/o The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2383, Van Nuys, CA 91409-2383; (800) 828-2453. Please specify plan numbers.

To order by mail, clip this article and send it with a check or money order to U-Bild Features, c/o The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2383, Van Nuys, CA 91409-2383; (800) 828-2453. Please specify plan numbers.

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