Building a barn cupola

[Paul_NJ]

I converted the 30x40 bank barn that is on my farm into a workshop. After much jacking and structural repair, I framed in a bunch of old school house windows, and a picture window someone was throwing out. I resided it with vertical 1" rough cut tulip. It's nice and bright inside now, but doesn't look as much like a barn anymore. Part of the problem is that the roof has a pretty shallow pitch.

I've been longingly looking at old barns with cupolas for years, and think one would really finish off the look, that is, if I ever get it finished.


I've also seen recycled cupolas for sale, and can't believe the price. Seems like you'd have to custom fit it anyway, so might as well custom build one.

Has anyone stick-built a cupola on an existing barn? Any idea where I might find plans as a guideline from which to design one myself? I assume a cupola is cut into the roof, and tied into (without removing) any of the framing (ridge, rafters, etc) I'd appreciate any ideas, suggestions, references, etc.

Thanks

Paul

[Bigdog]

Paul - It looks great!

[Paul_NJ]

Thanks Bigdog!

Here's an inside view:



Paul

[George Willer]

Paul,

This is the 30 x 40 barn I built at our old place. The whole thing was pre-fabbed in the outgrown attached 22 x 36 garage and set up in mid winter. The cupola was set in place after the roof was on and tied down with wires twisted from the under side. It was built 28 years ago and has needed no maintainence... all the exterior is aluminum and asphalt shingles.



It's within 1/2 mile of our present home.

[beaconlight]

If you don't plan to go into it, You can build it on the roof. They are not heavy enogh to require more than doubling 4 rafters. If you plan to have louvers in it provide a way for rain and snow melt out. For our part of the country put hardware cloth outside the louvers or you will just be building a great squirel nest. They eat through the louvers. Also provide sufficient overhang on all sides to keep rain out and to provide a proper look. I have seen small prefab ones that don't require the extra rafters.

Bill

[(CUB HUT)]

Paul--NJ

Dont realy like the prices, but some good ideas
http://thecountrygentleman.com/country-cupolas_6.aspx

[John(videodoc)]

theres that darn CANDY store i can't go in and play with the toys again.

Looking great!

[Rudi]

Paul:

Cupola's have been around for a very long time, and at one time actually served a purpose - mostly protected ventilation if I remember my Architecture classes correctly. Course that is going back 35 years or so.... so it can get a bit dicey at times.

However, Taunton Press (one of my favourite publishing houses - Fine Wooodworking especially) publishes Fine Homebuilding and has had a number of issues on building decorative Cupola's over the years.

I went to their Archives Search Page and I did a quick search on Cupola's and this is the results for the search on Cupola's.

If you come up with a design you like, check with your local building inspector as to the requirements (may not even need a building permit... ) in your area. There are also a number of very knowledgeable people who can help with the details if need be such as George Willer, Mike Schmudlach and Mike Tiemann who come readily to mind. I can help a bit, although Canadian codes are substantially different than US codes, and our local codes are all tied to the National. Also, I don't have to deal with those so-called Correct Councils on what colour, size, shape and price bracket it must be in that a lot of cities and suburbs have - Thank the GOOD LORD for that small blessing

If you can at all incorporate some passive ventilation into your Cupola which can be sealed off during winter as well, it should make summer time heat a bit easier to deal with as well as save some money on air-conditioning/fans etc....

[beaconlight]

Problem with a coupala with louvers in my area is squirels chew through them and racoons pull the aluminum and copper ones apart and make a nice hidde hole and nest.

bill

[Carm]

Looking real nice!