December 21, 2017

A Cupola for the Goat Barn

Dan and I have always liked weathervanes, so how could we not want to put on top of our new barn?

Made by Swen Products. We spent hours looking at all the design
choices and finally chose a traditional rooster. It cost about $60.

Dan built a cupola for the top of the hayloft and the weathervane will be the crowning touch. The cupola will allow for some ventilation, plus (maybe) let in a little light (?). Ours isn't large or fancy, just as simple as possible to build.

Cupola base made from scrap oak boards.

For vents, we first looked at regular gable vents. We could get four inexpensive ones for around $60 total. But we also looked around at other options and settled on these.

Vinyl shutters found at a surplus building supply warehouse - $20 a pair.

Dan cut the shutters in half (sort of) for front, back, and two side vents.


No, they don't look identical on front and sides, but for the savings, we don't care. Here it is painted and with the sheathing for its roof.

I had to bring it inside to paint because our outdoor
temps aren't in the recommended painting range.

The roof will be metal, just like the rest of the barn. Once the cupola is installed on top of the hayloft roof (in progress), the weathervane will be added. The kit came with a base to attach it to the roof.


The cupola and weathervane will be a nice personal touch to the barn. I'm excited about seeing it finished and on the roof.

26 comments:

Gorges Smythe said...

Looks good!

Mrs Shoes said...

This is wonderful & the traditional rooster is always a good choice.
I'm a sucker for weathervanes myself - we have 2 up & mounted on fenceposts (a horse version & a rooster), but I'd love to have a cow too if I came upon one for a good deal.
I do love farm outside decor such as farm signs and the like. My big ask of Mr Shoes right now is for him to mount a 'barnquilt' (wooden) on the end of the barn over the big doors - he suggested that we revisit that ask when the weather is warmer than "freeze his arse off". ;-)

Leigh said...

Gorges, thanks! The cupola will be functional but the weathervane is our splurge for the barn. It's those little touches that give things uniqueness and personality.

Mrs. Shoes, I would have never thought to put a weathervane on a fencepost, but that's a great idea. I confess I eyed the goat weathervanes for a long time and would have gotten one if the goat looked like a Kinder. ;)

I really love the idea of a barn quilt! I had to immediately do an internet search because I've never seen one. But then, we don't have many real barns in my neck of the world anymore. I'll have to show them to Dan. Maybe we could do that for the hayloft doors!

Caroline J. Baines said...

Awesome, Leigh! Things are moving along! :)

Ed said...

Love the jewelry you picked out for the top of the cupola. It looks built to last.

Paula said...

Looks good! Love the upcycling ingenuity.

Susan said...

Oh, nice! That is going to look fabulous!

tpals said...

Simple but very sharp looking. Dan does good work.

Theresa said...

Sweet!

Leigh said...

Carolyn, I'll be so glad when the roof is done!

Ed, thanks! It is pretty well made. Not as three-dimensional as the more expensive ones, but excellent for the price.

Paula, always! :)

Susan, thanks!

Tpals, that's exactly what we were aiming for. Simple but with personality. :)

Theresa, :)

Goatldi said...

How much fun! Good job.

Debbie - Mountain Mama said...

I'm excited to see it finished also, Leigh! I love, love, love the weathervane you selected!! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Leigh said...

Goatldi, thanks!

Debbie, thank you! And Merry Christmas to you and yours too.

Cozy Thyme Cottage said...

Love the cupola and the rooster! You will be so classy! Merry Christmas to you both! Nancy

Donna OShaughnessy said...

That cupola is gorgeous and the weather vane looks perfect. I wish I thought of that earlier for a Christmas gift for our new barn. I MUST learn to weld! Merry Christmas Leigh and Dan. May it be lovely.

Leigh said...

Nancy, thanks! Merry Christmas to you all too!

Donna, thanks! It's a really nice touch I think. You should learn to weld! Dan's our welder although he would tell you he just does the basics. Still, it's a handy skill.

M.K. said...

That's beautiful! Won't the roo look nice, standing over the farm?

Connie said...

I am so impressed . . . that is going to be the cherry on top of the ice cream sundae. Your barn is going to be wonderful and every step that you have taken towards making that way is perfection.
Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas!
Your blogging sister,
Connie :)

Helen said...

Love your choice of weathervane. We have a pointer dog weathervane on our barn roof, in memory of our beloved dog. Happy Christmas.

Rain said...

Wow Leigh, doesn't that look fabulous!!! I'm a big weather vane fan too! I love them, but we're holding off until we buy! :) I'll take this opportunity to wish you a very Merry Christmas!! All the best in the new year Leigh, and a great gardening season! :)

Quinn said...

It's kind of nice to splurge on a finishing touch, isn't it? Can't wait to see your weathervane in action :)

Mark said...

Hi Leigh! I like weathervanes, too. They just seem... right, perched up there on the top of the barn. Yours is very nice and, as usually, Dan did a great job on the cupola. It's going to be wonderful!

Merry Christmas to you, Dan and all yours!

Leigh said...

M.K. I really like the rooster, so classic. But I wouldn't have minded a Kinder goat, LOL.

Connie, thanks! It's exciting touch to add! Wishing you a Merry Christmas as well!

Helen, thanks! A pointer dog would be really nice too. Great way to remember a favorite pet.

Rain, thanks! You will have so much fun once you finally get your place!

Quinn, yes it is and I'm glad we do. Still try to be thrifty, but our special touches have always seemed to be worth it.

Mark! How great to hear from you! The barn is really coming along and we're definitely looking forward to being done!

Yarrow said...

How lovely, I'm looking forward to seeing it all finished :F

Sandra @ Thistle Cove Farm said...

It's going to be beautiful and am waiting, sometime patiently, lol, to see photos.

Leigh said...

Yarrow, thanks!

Sandra, it's hard to be patient this time of year, but the cold and rain almost demand it. Oh well, everything in its time!