subject: Creating First Impressions, Cupolas Add Curb Appeal [print this page] "We are the children of our landscape: it dictates behavior and even thought in the measure to which we are responsive to it." by Laurence George Durrell
Outdoor decorating has become a great way to improve the value of your home or business. Because it is the first thing people see when they drive up. Decorators recommend creating a strong focal point with a bold statement.
Historically, many cultures have used architecture as a status symbol. Cupolas have captured some genuine status and have served as a popular choice for a long time. The Empire State Building form is that of a cupola on top.
These architectural accents place great demands on the science of construction. Load stress for large cupolas, are not trivial things, and the movement of a large heavy cupola need to be supported by the buildings frame. When purchasing a cupola, one needs to think of the weight of the material the cupola is to be built of and the impact it would have on the buildings frame.
Today, wood cupolas are popular for homes, garages, professional buildings and many other structures, creating a new bold look. Cupolas are the small structure often seen on the rooftops, having the appearance of a miniature gazebo.
Structurally, a cupola can't just be tacked on. It has to be integrated into its building. A cupola can look awkward, out of place and unbalanced if not integrated into the building style. By choosing a cupola that fits the roof one obtains the goal of enhancing the look without overpowering it. Purchasing a cupola too small gets swollowed up in the roof.
Cupolas serve several purposes, from a covered light source, to added ventilation, to a statement of style. Cupolas are built functional to ventilate or as a decorative add on. In some cases, the entire floor of the tower or spire can form a cupola. May historians believe the cupola is most famous for being a look out point.
As you begin the process of shopping for a cupola, most are built of wood that handle the elements well, if properly sealed. The design of the cupola consists of a roof that may be bell shaped or pagoda shaped. The roof type is determined by the architecture of the building it will be placed upon. The roof is typically covered with gorgeous and richly colored copper, and eye catching appeal. The sides of the cupola have louvers or windows called lanterns.
Painted white, the cupola, with the copper roof provides a focal point that is extremely charming. These architectural accents are a perfect example of American heritage with graceful lines that add to a buildings character. It has a history that many architectural features just can not match.
A weathervane adds the finishing touch, a element of personal expression. Built with an ornament that faces into the wind, weathervanes can depict sports, birds, animals and commercial activities such as oil, railroads, fireman etc.
Cupolas and weathervanes have always been in style as a fashionable dcor. In terms of finishing touches on antique or modern structures alike, few items of dcor can match the understated, long cherished and versatile curb appeal of the cupola.
