King County Journal - Thursday, August 28, 2003

Weathervane can add color, fun to new building By Jean Parietti Journal Reporter      Now that you've planned to erect a new building in your garden, consider the finishing touch -- a traditional or playful weathervane, or a cupola with or without a weathervane.      Roosters, horses and eagles are conventional weathervane choices, but homeowners also can choose from collections depicting hobbies, professions, pets, wildlife, country life, marine life and the fanciful (the Big Bad Wolf, for instance).      "The most popular weathervane in the world has got to be the rooster," said Paul McElvain, co-owner of Weathervanes of Maine. But the whimsical pig and the flying pig are among the most popular nontraditional weathervanes, McElvain said.      That's true at Garden Solutions in Woodinville, where the flying pig is the top seller, said co-owner Sherri Lee.      And if the stock choices don't grab you, Weathervanes of Maine creates custom weathervanes -- such as an armadillo or a Star Trek ship -- with prices starting at $800, but most costing around $2,000, McElvain said.      Typically, though, weathervanes start at about $200 for copper and brass versions; rust-free aluminum weathervanes can be purchased for $200 or less. Depending on the company, finish choices can include polished copper, verdigris, black, rust and handpainted.

Several sizes are available, and the weathervane should be chosen based on the height of the building, and whether the vane it will be mounted to a cupola.      Cupolas      Cupolas can be used to vent the roof, or can just be a decorative element. Cupolas typically have copper roofs sitting atop a section of louvers or windowpanes, with square or gazebo-style bases that can be plain or have shiplap siding.      A common rule of thumb for choosing the proper size cupola is to allow 1 inches of cupola base for every foot of unbroken roof ridge line, then go up one or two sizes for a more pleasing appearance.      The smallest cupolas are priced below $200, but the largest cupolas -- 60 or 62 inches -- can cost $1,000 to $2,000.