Reeds Ferry Sheds® – Cupolas Are Cool

Cu·po·la (kyou’ puh luh), noun 1. A small structure on a dome or roof, serving as a belfry, or lookout. Derives from the Italian word “cupula”; meaning small cup…  That’s the dictionary definition of cupola, but at Reeds when a customer asks what’s a “cupola” we try not to sound like a page from Architectural Digest. We tell them “it’s that thing that looks like a miniature building that sits on the roof”. Most people respond with, “Oh! I want one of those little things!”

Reeds Ferry Sheds Cupola
Service Manager Chuck Moriarty takes the wraps off a new Reeds Ferry® cupola.

We call it a cupola, but recently one of our customers asked, “can we get our shed with a widow’s walk?” Luckily our sales rep was a veteran and knew what they meant. The “widow’s walk” is a cupola surrounded by a railing. It’s a feature you see on many buildings in New England. Legend has it sailor’s wives would use the rooftop platform to watch for their husbands returning from the sea. As the name suggests if the wife had to keep “walking” she was likely going to be a “widow”.

Remember, a cupola is like a hat; it can either add to style of the owner, (think Indiana Jones), or it can detract, (think Elmer Fudd).  The thing we see most often is when builders put too large a cupola on too small of a building, or visa versa. Having the correct proportion is the key to an attractive cupola.

Reeds Ferry®  cupolas are copper topped. Our customers like this style because they know the copper will take on a thin layer of oxidation over time and add to its appearance, but other styles are available if you choose. Our cupola also makes a perfect home for one of our copper weathervanes.  The classic American Eagle shown above is the most popular, but a number of other carving options are available.

One side note: Builders and roofers can tell you first hand the cupola is a problem area for roof leaks. The problem is often seen in older Victorian homes in New England. Having a cupola that can be entered from inside the home creates difficult roof angles and possible water entry points. For this reason our cupolas sit on top of the roof with no break in the actual roof construction. This means you won’t be able to stick your head up into your cupola, but your mower will stay dry for many, many years… Still we’ve had a number of customers who safely added an electrical light up in their cupola to create a stunning backyard effect. Ask us for help if you’re interested in that idea.

For more information on adding a cool cupola to your Reeds Ferry Sheds® click our website here, or call 888-85-SHEDS.

Quality, Selection & Service
Reeds Ferry Sheds
It’s taken 63 years and thousands of high-quality sheds to build 1 reputation.

Today consumers in New England recognize the name Reeds Ferry® as their guarantee of superior service and quality. If you want more than a typical storage shed, a building that will add to the value and appearance of your property, then look for the name tag. If it says Reeds Ferry®, you got a good one.

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Awesome quality sheds and great customer service! I recently bought a Reeds Ferry shed and have been extremely happy with it. If I ever need a new shed again it will be a Reeds Ferry.
Our Reeds Ferry shed is good quality and it adds beauty to our yard. The staff who built the shed was great and did a fabulous job. I recommend Reeds Ferry sheds.
Just had my new Reeds Ferry shed delivered. Worth every penny. You might find a less expensive shed but trust me, it won't be as good as a Reeds Ferry Shed. Plus a 30 year warranty!
From start to finish, Reeds Ferry was a pleasure to work with. The install crew on Truck #10 were very professional. I highly recommend Reeds Ferry Sheds for both quality and service.
No one else matched Reeds Ferry's quality or reputation, and after experiencing their customer service and the caliber of their installation team, it's hard to imagine any other shed being superior.
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