One of the things that always intrigues me is the variety of wind vanes, cupolas and finials that adorn the roof tops of buildings. As I traveled around New England this summer I took some photos of some of the interesting ones and listed them in a photo album with a link at the end of the next paragraph.
Most cupolas are square structures with louvered sides and a four sided roof. On top of the cupola is the traditional NSEW directional bars and then an arrow that moves and points in the direction from which the wind is coming. A decorative finial usually rests on the arrow or on top of the central pivot. The decorative finials usually have a shape that is related to the building, or geographical area or special interest of the owner. Thus, a finial in the shape of a fireman might be on a fire station or a whale might be on a seaside restaurant. You can see some example photos and ones from a shop in Wells, Maine at the link….. http://picasaweb.google.com/markryan312/WindVanesExamples71408
You can also see various wind vanes at online web sites and get an idea of the relative cost which depends on the size and construction materials. Those with copper roofs demand the highest prices. One online web site can be seen at the link ……. http://www.theweathervanefactory.com/index.php
Since the cost of the copper wind vanes, finials and cupolas was more than I wanted to spend, I decided to build my own and attached it to a backyard garden shed. Although the cost to purchase a wind vane and cupola online starts at around $500, I was able to build one with materials costing about $75 plus my labor.
You can see photos of my simple construction project at the link ….. http://picasaweb.google.com/markryan312/WindvaneProject82508
I first used a computer paint program to draw a design which is shown in the photo at top. I also recycled an old vinyl window shutter and cut it in 4 equal pieces for the cupola sides. Other materials were wood supports 1-1/2x3/4, metal brackets, barn board grooved plywood, corner molding, outdoor paint, nuts, bolts, screws, and threaded rod for center pivot.
The entire construction and installation took several weeks and made me appreciate the high cost of the ones seen on line. However, there is also a personal pride attached to your own creation.
Have you tried some unique home projects like this one? Comments are always welcome.
Most cupolas are square structures with louvered sides and a four sided roof. On top of the cupola is the traditional NSEW directional bars and then an arrow that moves and points in the direction from which the wind is coming. A decorative finial usually rests on the arrow or on top of the central pivot. The decorative finials usually have a shape that is related to the building, or geographical area or special interest of the owner. Thus, a finial in the shape of a fireman might be on a fire station or a whale might be on a seaside restaurant. You can see some example photos and ones from a shop in Wells, Maine at the link….. http://picasaweb.google.com/markryan312/WindVanesExamples71408
You can also see various wind vanes at online web sites and get an idea of the relative cost which depends on the size and construction materials. Those with copper roofs demand the highest prices. One online web site can be seen at the link ……. http://www.theweathervanefactory.com/index.php
Since the cost of the copper wind vanes, finials and cupolas was more than I wanted to spend, I decided to build my own and attached it to a backyard garden shed. Although the cost to purchase a wind vane and cupola online starts at around $500, I was able to build one with materials costing about $75 plus my labor.
You can see photos of my simple construction project at the link ….. http://picasaweb.google.com/markryan312/WindvaneProject82508
I first used a computer paint program to draw a design which is shown in the photo at top. I also recycled an old vinyl window shutter and cut it in 4 equal pieces for the cupola sides. Other materials were wood supports 1-1/2x3/4, metal brackets, barn board grooved plywood, corner molding, outdoor paint, nuts, bolts, screws, and threaded rod for center pivot.
The entire construction and installation took several weeks and made me appreciate the high cost of the ones seen on line. However, there is also a personal pride attached to your own creation.
Have you tried some unique home projects like this one? Comments are always welcome.
1 comment:
Looks too complicated for me. But I really love traditional wind vanes. These wind spinners are cool too although they are more decorative than useful!
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