Replies

1. 
   McDesign | Nov 09, 2006 06:27am | #1

   <Duckfarmer >

   I think only normal flashing details would prevent the entry of wind-driven rain.

   Forrest - how deep do you plant the ducks?

1. 
   Duckfarmer | Nov 09, 2006 03:13pm | #2

   Only plant them deep enough to confuse both the ducks and the people who wonder what you are doing.

   A long time ago a very good friend used to call those of us in the job we shared "poor, dumb duck farmers".  So I have called myself that for a long time.

   Thanks for the opinion.

   Dale

1. 
   Duckfarmer | Nov 10, 2006 03:36am | #6

   Boss / Notchman / John -

   Thanks for the replies.

   We came to the same conclusion after thinking it over last night that you guys did.  And in doing so the light bulb went off as to the problem of placing them at the intersection of the ridge and dormers that you mentioned - framing nightmare now that the roof is one, and we got the shingles on one side today.  Great idea with the possibility of the fan; would act like a whole house fan and probably cool things down very effectively.

   I live in upstate NY and tomorrow might well be the last good day of roof work for the year.  I am still going to put cupolas on, but do 3 instead of 2 and in the middle of ridge runs.  We will follow your advice, but probably wait until spring.  A good winter project to build them.

   Thanks for the good advice.

   Dale 

2. 
   BossHog | Nov 09, 2006 03:57pm | #3

   I wouldn't want to see the things on top of the shingles. That would sure be a pain at re-roofing time.

   I'd think it would be better to fasten the things down REALLY well so they don't take off for Kansas one of these days in a storm. Then just flash 'em like any other vertical roof surface.

   Death called while you were out, so I gave him your pager number.
1. 
   Notchman | Nov 09, 2006 06:31pm | #4

   I agree with Boss.

   I've built a number of cupolas and have always framed them directly to the substructure, as if I was building an additional story atop a roof, complete with flashing, hurricane ties, etc.

   But one thing in your post raises a question....am I to understand that the inside opening of the cupola is to lay over the intersection of the dormer ridge and the garage roof? 

   That dormer ridge intersection can be pretty important structurally....please explain...

   Edited 11/9/2006 10:33 am by Notchman

3. 
   JohnSprung | Nov 09, 2006 10:23pm | #5

   I've seen a small cupola doing double duty as an access hatch cover.  It fit over what was sort of like a skylight curb.  But yours sound too big and heavy for that.  As the others have said, just build them like a normal higher story. 

   Also, consider putting your louvers high enough that you can later add fans in the bottoms of the cupolas.  You can get rid of the hot air a whole lot quicker that way.

    

    

   -- J.S.

    

4. 
   frenchy | Nov 10, 2006 04:06am | #7

   Duckfarmer,

        Something to think about that I never considered before I put my cupula on top of my tower..

     warm air wanted to migrate there..
     It caused mold at first but I cured that,  then it just plain cost me energy.. Warm air rises and that is the warmest spot in the house.. I eventually solved that by glassing in the bottom of the cupula with a double pane glass window. now it still gets warm up there but heat no longer floods up there causing the rest of my house to get cool..

      I solved the mold issue by putting a lantern in there with an electric light bulb, now changing that light bulb is nearly impossible .  It's inside the glass window,  about 25 feet in the air..  First I need to get up 20 feet remove the window then wedge myself into the cupula that's about six feet high, unhook the light, and holding the light over my head climb down the ladder..

    To reinstall reverse process.

    

1. 
   Duckfarmer | Nov 14, 2006 05:34am | #8

   Frenchy -

   I always enjoy your comments - you have to be one creative original builder with that place you are doing.  Luckily my cupolas will only be used for ventilation of the attic space so I will not have to worry about what you did!

   Thanks for the advice though, I'll file it away.

   Dale

2. 
   JohnSprung | Nov 14, 2006 08:38pm | #9

   Consider building a combined light and insulated glass rig that lowers on a rope and pulley.  Or maybe on a chandelier winch.  That gets you easy access to change the bulb, or even clean the top of the glass. 

   I did something like that to hold a big tray of plants up under the skylight in the top of the high stairwell in the Hollywood place.  Woulda been cute to put a Frankenstein dummy on it for halloween, but we never got around to that one....  ;-)   

    

   -- J.S.

    

1. 
   frenchy | Nov 16, 2006 04:26am | #10

   John Sprung, 

     I considered doing sometthing like that but i couldn't figure out an elegant way to do it and the tower could easily look tacky  with a pulley arrangement.   That plus the cord would need to be near 30 feet long to get down to me.

    If that were my prime worry I'm certain given enough time I could figure out a classy way to achieve everything but since I have over half a house yet to finish and have already been at it over 5 years I'm going to resort to using the light as little as possible.   I selected the longest lived light I could find Hope it will last long enough for me to get back around to it..