Are you hoping to add a storage shed to your property or maybe improve an existing one? Make the most of that investment by adding an attractive, unique shed cupola. Not only will it enhance the landscape, but a shed with a cupola will be ventilated during the hot summer months.

For centuries, cupolas placed atop outbuildings have provided beautiful ornamentation to landscape designs. The popularity of shed and garden cupolas can be traced back to the late 17-century.

Before you commit to a shed cupola as part of your outside landscaping, we offer a few answers to some common questions. Above all, do not settle for a mass-produced cupola. Call now and let our 20-plus years of experience help you pick the perfect cupola for your project!

Which Shed Cupola is Best for My Area?

Cupolas can be made from various materials, but most commonly they are wooden or vinyl. The climate where you live can influence which cupola would work best for your garden or tool shed.

We have a vinyl, copper shed cupola with a copper roof and wrapped copper louvers suitable for windy and coastal applications. The moist, salt air will create a beautiful patina on the copper and the vinyl board construction will withstand the harsh ocean breezes that could otherwise challenge an all-wooden cupola. Vinyl shed cupolas are virtually maintenance-free.

Although wood cupolas do need to be painted or stained with a weatherproof finish, usually on a yearly basis, they’re still a popular choice because the craftsmanship is so evident, and they add classic beauty to shed rooftops.

Our Amish craftsmen make both wood and vinyl shed cupolas by hand so no matter which materials you choose, you’re guaranteed to have a uniquely crafted shed topper to enhance your landscape.

How to Install A Cupola On a Shed?

How you install your shed cupola will depend on the pitch of your roof, as well as the purpose of your cupola (for instance, will it be purely decorative or will it serve as ventilation). The shape of your cupola will also determine how it should be installed.

If your shed cupola will be used for ventilation, you will need to cut an opening in your roof, leaving a 5” to 6” minimum around the inside perimeter of your cupola base. Proper caulking must be applied.

Cupolas Direct provides an installation guide with each purchase and provides this online cupola installation guide as well. Call us for more information: 717-808-5711.

What Size Cupola for a Shed?

You want to find the right scale when it comes to choosing your shed cupola. Cupolas are an enhancement on buildings but shouldn’t overwhelm them. A general principle to go by is that for every foot of shed width, you have around 1” to 1 ½” inches of cupola. If you have 12 feet of shed, your cupola should be 15 inches wide.

Cupolas Direct provides a cupola size chart for different building sizes. If you’re still uncertain and would like some guidance in choosing a cupola, please feel free to contact us at 717-808-5711 or send us an email with photograph to cupolasdirect@gmail.com.

How to Make a Shed Cupola?

You will need several supplies, such as pressure-treated plywood, vinyl or aluminum gable vents, aluminum flashing, construction adhesive, acrylic caulk, and variously sized, galvanized nails and screws. You will also need specific power tools, such as a miter saw and dado set, cordless drill, a brad nailer, and jig saw.

BASE: Building the base or saddle of your cupola is the first step. The size of your base will depend on the pitch of your shed’s roof. The pitch of your roof is the measurement of rise over run. A digital angle gauge can help you determine this.

While roofs vary greatly globally and even locally, the range of pitches in the U.S. typically falls between 4/12 and 9/12. The rule of thumb is to figure 1" to 1 ½" of cupola base for every foot of unbroken roofline.

VENT HOUSING: Next comes the vent housing. This is basically a square or cube section that holds your vents.  The vent housing should be affixed to the base with a sill and topped with a soffit.  The opening on all four sides will need to be the same width, so measure carefully and take butt joints into consideration. You will need a mitered frame to hold 4 equally sized, vinyl or metal louvered vents. Your vents can be prefabricated, or hand mitered slats nestled in dados.

CAP: Lastly, build the roof or cap section of your shed cupola. The base of your cap section will affix to the soffit of your vent housing.

Unless you are quite skilled at carpentry, it will likely be more cost-effective to order a shed cupola through an experienced cupola distributor. Our Amish craftsmen have been creating custom shed cupolas for years.

You will find a high-quality, low-cost, and maintenance-free shed cupola through Cupolas Direct. We offer guaranteed lowest pricing on all our products.  Our guaranteed lowest pricing offer is good on any advertised price for an equal product, including materials, and shipping charges to the same location.

For inspiration on which cupola to choose, browse our gallery of cupolas provided by our customers and contact us when you’re ready to order your cupola handmade by our Amish craftsmen.