How to Choose the Size of Cupola to Create Curb Appeal

!±8± How to Choose the Size of Cupola to Create Curb Appeal

Often called an architectural wonder, cupolas are ornamental and impressive. Their elegant design adds stateliness to your buildings exterior, creating curb appeal and antique finish.

Cupolas were originally built for a variety of reasons: ventilation, to house a bell, provide an area to view the scenery. In most cases today, cupolas are added to buildings primarily as decorative features, but can also be used to provide ventilation. In some cases, the entire main floor can form a cupola where people can sit inside the structure and have a panoramic view of the surrounding areas.

Cupolas can be square, rectangular, octagonal, or round; they can be built out of metal, vinyl, or wood. The type and style of your building's rooftop affects which shape will provide a more balanced effect.

Some of the different woods cupolas are built out of include: marine plywood, cypress, birch, white pine and oak. They can have either cedar shingles, roofing to match the buildings roof, or copper roofing. The copper roofing can be chemically treated for a green finish called patina, or over time it will naturally change to patina.

There are several ways to add a cupola to your building. You can purchase a blue print and build your own, order a kit that contains the materials, or get one completely assembled and sealed against the elements, prior to shipment.

Cupolas are made up of three sections-the base, vents/windows, and the cap. The base must conform to the pitch of the roof to fit properly.

Be careful about purchasing a cupola without consideration of the size of the base in proportion to the building size. Taking a few minutes to measure the roofline is essential to creating a finished look. This causes the cupola to look integrated into the buildings, rather than tacked on.

Here are some pointers that assure you a quality look:

- The size of the cupola is determined by the length, width, and wall height, of the building it will be placed on.
- A good rule of thumb is at least one inch of cupola base for every foot of unbroken roofline. Cupolas sizes are rounded up and are usually built in two, four, or six inch increments.
- Once the measurements are obtained, you can determine the size of the base.
- The bases of cupolas are cut to fit the pitch of the roof. Typically, a cupola will fit a six or twelve degree pitch. This is a ratio for every inch a roof drops over every inch it extends horizontally.
- Window cupolas will always appear smaller than the same size louvered cupola on any building.
- Multiple cupolas are recommended if the building is greater than 100 feet. By placing two cupolas of equal size on each end, or having a large cupola in the middle of the roof with two smaller cupolas at each end.
- When a cupola is placed where there is adjourning buildings, you could go one to two sizes larger.
- With a custom cupola, you can create something unique and one of a kind. The possibilities are endless when it comes to designing and decorating a custom cupola. Just visit with the manufacture what you have in mind.

One important thing to remember is that how a cupola looks when it is sitting on the ground is different from when it is placed on the roof. A good way to visualize what it will look like is to find a cardboard box the size of the cupola and place it on the roof. By viewing it from the ground you will get a fairly accurate picture of what it will look like with the cupola there. By walking around the building you will be able to view from all angles.

A properly sealed, dimensional cupola will add a finishing touch to both new construction and existing buildings. Adding the right accent transforms buildings and enhances the value for years to come.

Copyright (c) 2009 Elda Titus

How to Choose the Size of Cupola to Create Curb Appeal

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Restoring Lost Curb Appeal - A Simple Front Yard Makeover

!±8± Restoring Lost Curb Appeal - A Simple Front Yard Makeover

A simple front yard overhaul to restore curb appeal can often be as much of a challenge as designing and building an entirely new landscape. It's like a "not being able to see the forest through the trees" kind of a thing. One thing that's helpful with this is to be clear from the very beginning about your budget and whether this is a simple clean up, a partial landscape, or an entirely new front yard landscape. However, even if you don't want to do a full scale landscape, the end result is still a matter of following the same principles of designing a new front yard. Entryways, access, and parking areas should already be be designated in an existing landscape. If not, design them in if they are a necessary addition. Then you can focus the rest of the design, plants, and plating beds around them.

In restoring an existing front yard, assessment of the problem areas is always the first step. Use your camera to get a better perspective on this. Take a few pictures of the landscaping and entryway from different angles. From this you should see a whole different picture of what your yard really looks like. Make note of it and what you want to change. Make note of things like chipped and cracked concrete, overgrown weeds, dead lawn, dead plants, etc. Does your front entryway look tired and neglected? Look at all the details. A poor landscape is usually a combination of several elements combined.

Remove any dead or unwanted shrubs. You can always replace them with the same or similar types. However, for a fresher look in new and old landscapes, try using other intreresting textures like ornamental grasses in place of shrubs and hedges. Not only do they provide a new texture and shape, they also add motion and winter interest to the landscaping. Use them in the same spots as singular or in groups. Prune trees and tall healthy shrubs to restore their beauty. Often unnoticed, these are allowed to grow unchecked and make the yard look uncared for.

Add a little color, interest, and a whole new dimension by placing some large planting containers and pots on the sides of your front steps or on either side of your walkway. Fill these with a combination of trailing vines, ornamental grasses, and colorful flowers. This will brighten your entryway as well as make it look more inviting and welcoming. Planters are also great for using plants from different climates and seasons and being able to move them inside for the Winter.

When you add flowers and plants to your yard or front entry, keep in mind that less is sometimes more. Don't try to add every color of the rainbow but focus on a simple color scheme. Pick two or three colors as well as a few evergreen varieties and repeat them throughout the landscaping. We're only trying to clean up and create a framework to begin with. We can add more later if needed. This will help create unity and retain some of the existing balance until then.

Edging any walkways, driveways, and sidewalks will do wonders for making the entire yard look sharp and clean. For now you don't even need fill everything with plants. A layer of protective mulch along the edges instead of flowers or shrubs can look really great. Make sure that any existing sidewalks, driveways, and steps are clean and in good shape. These areas are totally visible so fix any stains or cracks. Severely cracked concrete, brick, or stone sidewalks should either be repaired to good shape or replaced.

If your yard and entryway are too straight, hard, formal, and boring, soften the look by adding some curved flower beds. An island bed is also a great addition to add interest and shape to a front yard lawn area. Some beds can be used to line and highlight the front entryway helping it to flow from the street or driveway to the front door.

For some night time interest and safety, consider adding electric or lighting to the landscape. You can install low voltage lights yourself or let a professional contractor do the job. Not only do they provide a safety factor, but they also create a sense of elegance on the home at night.

And one more thing that is so often overlooked. Don't forget the home itself. No matter how beautiful the landscaping is, no one will even see it if the home is in bad shape and in need of repairs. New paint if needed, repairing roof and siding, washing windows, hanging gutters, and repairing anything else that needs it will do so much for the home as well as help the curb appeal of the front yard rd landscaping.

Restoring Lost Curb Appeal - A Simple Front Yard Makeover

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Faux Stone Backsplash - Budget Friendly With Tough Looks

!±8± Faux Stone Backsplash - Budget Friendly With Tough Looks

If you want to have the contemporary look of stone, concrete, granite or wood within your budget go for faux stone. Faux stone backsplash bring beauty of wood, stone, brick and metal to your kitchen.

So what exactly is faux stone?

It is a high density molded polymer to create looks of stone, bricks etc. If your budget is tight and you still want to get the rural country look or toughness of stone then faux stone backsplash is just right for you.

The benefits of faux stone are numerous.
They are durable and do not crack, wrap, fade or rot with weather. Installation cost is very minimum. There is no need to hire masons or contractors. It is impervious to insect attack, moisture and environmental sound. Labor costs are also minimum as there is no heavy lifting involved like stones or granite. It is do-it-yourself stuff. You can laser cut, saw, drill and glue with simple tools. You can just use adhesive and screws to fit it. You can also screw signs, pictures or paints on faux stone. If you drill or screw wrongly you will have no problems. There will not be any cracks in faux stone.

Besides that they come in variety of designs. There is the hand-made look, the granite look, sun-bleached look, charcoal look etc. It also mimics design of asphalt, concrete etc. No mixing, drying or sloppy mess involved as seen with asphalt or concrete.

Some tips on using faux stone backsplashes
Use a mild soap to cleanse it rather than harsh detergents. For additional information check out the installation guidelines at ask the builder or howstuffworks site. When repainting faux stone use water-based acrylic paint. You also have faux painting information available at various sites like hgtv.com, spicykitchens.com etc

From rural country side look to an English country look faux stones seamlessly blend everywhere. With faux stone backsplashes you get the toughness of stone with a light weight polymer.

Faux Stone Backsplash - Budget Friendly With Tough Looks

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Backyard Landscape Plan - Think About Your Family's Lifestyle First

!±8± Backyard Landscape Plan - Think About Your Family's Lifestyle First

If you've been considering changing you're home's landscaping, don't forget to consider your family's lifestyle as you create your initial plans. Everyone's routines and daily activities need to be considered before you make any significant changes.

For instance, if you put a flowerbed or shrub in the middle of your backyard, will that hinder your children from playing various games? You want to encourage your kids to play at home and to invite their friends to join them, so it's important not to do anything that will adversely affect the space where they usually play.

Another example would be planting a shrub along a route that someone in the family likes to walk on a regular basis. It can be something as simple as the route to the mailbox, or something as elaborate as a path that someone likes to walk every afternoon to commune with nature. Either way, planting something that alters their enjoyment of that simple routine wouldn't be a good idea.

Consider Benefits in Relation to Expense

You may also want to consider what adding a particular landscaping element would do to enhance your family's living experience. Would adding a hot tub to a proposed new deck be something the family would use enough to justify its expense, or would it be enough just to add the deck and use it for barbecuing and getting together with friends?

Plan Ahead

You might also think about future additions to the family when making your landscaping plans. For example, even though your own children have grown up and moved out of the house, you might think about adding a sandbox to your landscaping project, so your grandchildren will have a place to play when they visit over the weekend.

As you think about what you might like to incorporate into your new landscaping project, it's a good idea to start keeping a folder where you can stuff pictures or ideas. You might also want to keep a journal, jotting down ideas of possible additions that come to you from time to time. When you finally sit down to create your formal plan, you can dig these out, and you may be surprised at some of the things that caught your imagination as you mulled over your landscaping project.

Regardless of what you finally decide to include in your landscape remodeling project, it's important that everyone in the household be considered. It's their home, too, and they have the right to be given the maximum amount of opportunity to enjoy it.

Copyright © 2006 Jeanette J. Fisher

Backyard Landscape Plan - Think About Your Family's Lifestyle First

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Stand Alone Landscape Design Elements

!±8± Stand Alone Landscape Design Elements

When designing a landscape or garden, most folks tend to consider the details only after the shape and plantings have been defined. Considering some of your details, accents, and decor through the entire design process can help you figure out how to use your spaces in tasteful ways. Adding focal points and decor accents will often also create a need for more design spaces.

Miscellaneous Focal Points - sundials, outdoor fireplaces, mailboxes, garden carts, sculptures, lamp posts, benches, weathervanes, chimenea, wagon wheels, & more: Focal points not only guide the eye near or far, they can create a sense of depth, fill in a 'don't know what to do here' spot, and become beautiful and/or useful components in your yard. Use your imagination to extend past simply functional items: a partially embedded wagon wheels provides a rustic backdrop for a mini-garden as well as a place for flowering vines to thrive. A wooden or wicker bench in front of a water feature or in the shade offers a separate outdoor area while complementing the whole. An old garden cart can be used as a planter... you get the idea.

Ornamental Boulders: Large boulders can be used effectively as an accent. They are attractive when interrupting the edging of beds or walks and when included in Japanese garden and in berms. Try for boulders that exhibit unique character: unusual shapes, coloring, or edges that will complement your gardening scheme. Partially embed boulders in the soil for a more natural effect rather than simply sitting them on the ground.

Patios and Decks: Patios can provide a perfect solution for private relaxation or for entertaining. A favorite of many people is using flagstone. The pieces should be spaced so that groundcover plantings or sod can be planted between the stone. Other patios that work can range from brick type pavers, exposed aggregate concrete, concrete created with a pattern and/or colored, and square concrete pavers placed within timber borders. With decking, choose a shape and style that will complement your home, landscape, and personal needs. Ask our experts for advice on the shape, materials, and style features that will best suit you.

Pergolas, Gazebos, and Lanais: In sunny areas, structures that provide a bit of overhead shade shelter are as functional as they are lovely. While offering comfort from the heat, they are also good props for hanging plants and climbing flowers and vines. Usually made of wood, pergolas and lanais are most often added above patios and have lattice work overhead so that sunlight can filter through. A gazebos can be used as a focal point while providing a wonderful, stand-alone option that create a private, special garden spot for sitting, dining, or relaxing.

As always, be sure to include design elements that you love and that will complement your desired overall effect and goals.

Stand Alone Landscape Design Elements

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Custom Mailboxes and How They Reflect Your Style

!±8± Custom Mailboxes and How They Reflect Your Style

I think being a mail carrier has to be one of the most boring professions there is. I mean, you drive around by yourself with stacks of other people's mail. Stop at the mailbox, open the flap, put in the mail, close the flap, drive off, and repeat. I think I would go crazy after just one day!

So it makes me wonder, is that why some people put up bazaar mailboxes? Don't get me wrong I'm all for personalized mailboxes. I have on more than one occasion put my last name and house number on my box. And I have secretly longed for one of those fancy brick numbers that are not only lovely to look at, but also very functional. I mean they are practically indestructible!

Personalization is one thing. I can handle the family name mounted or painted in a pretty font. I can even tolerate some decorative elements such as birds, flowers, or even a favorite sports team. But I draw the line at larger than life animal statues that make you stop and wonder, "What were they thinking?!"

For example, in a neighboring city there is very nice house located on the gulf of Mexico, and stationed prominently by the road sits an almost-life-sized mother manatee holding a mailbox. Now this in itself is bad enough, but it just doesn't stop there. Down toward the mother manatee's tail there "swims" a sweet little baby manatee. But it's not swimming with momma, no it looks as if it is nursing! Now I know that it is not actually nursing, because manatees nurse their babies from a gland under their armpits. But if you didn't know this little tidbit of useless trivia, you would probably think that this interesting mailbox features a nursing baby manatee! I wonder what goes through the mail carriers head!

This is not the only artistic mailbox out there. There are websites dedicated to nothing but ugly mailboxes. I found pictures of mailboxes featuring sculpted pelicans, ketchup bottles, swimming fish, and even Mickey Mouse. The artistic endeavors didn't end with the mailbox, some home owners got creative with the mailbox post, using anything from rims, to scrap metal, to old tree limbs.

So I guess if you want to stand out in your neighborhood, just think about getting or making personalized mailboxes. And remember, the sky's the limit

Custom Mailboxes and How They Reflect Your Style

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