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How can I
mount my cupola if my building has a ridge vent? |
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We
recommend notching the cupola base to straddle over the ridge vent, rather
than cutting back the
ridge vent. Our cupolas
come with mounting instructions and are easy to install. Pre-drilled holes
in the base of the
cupola, along with galvanized 3 1/2" deck screws are provided. Give us your
pitch verbally, or send us a
paper template of your
pitch, and we will be glad to cut it for you.
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What is the
life expectancy of my cupola? |
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The key to
longevity is simple. Take care of it, i.e. give it a fresh coat of paint
periodically and seal
any opening seams and the
cupola should last 35 to 50 years. Neglect to paint it for 10 years or so,
and the cupola will
only last for 25 or 30 years. We have several cupolas on our roof at the
shop, and we paint them every 4
years. The oldest cupola is
over 90 years old.
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By adding a
cupola and weathervane to my home, am I more likely to get struck by
lightning? |
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This is
kind of a trick question. Mathematically the answer is yes, but only by
.0001%. What you have
done is raised the height
of your home by a few feet. What this means is you've made the connection of
a charged up ground
and a charged up sky approximately 5 feet closer together. Chances are, if
it is your turn to
get hit, it would happen whether or not you have a weathervane. We have 7
cupolas on our roof and we don't
loose sleep about it.
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Why pine?
Why not cedar? |
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Simply
speaking, cedar is very expensive! Pine, if properly maintained, is
certainly durable enough for
most peoples needs. Cedar
does not hold paint as well as pine and since many roofs these days are in
the 10/12 - 12/12 pitch range, painting a cupola every year is simply out of
the question. Unless you are exceptionally exposed to wet, salty air, like
that at the extreme shoreline, pine will be fine. We occasionally custom
make cupolas in
cedar, but expect the price to be double that of a pine cupola.
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Go To :
Cupola Home Page |
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Go To :
About Cupolas |
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Go To :
Volko Supply Home |
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