There are many different styles of roof. You can choose from gabled roofs, mansard roofs, hipped roofs, flat roofs and domed roofs. All these roofs can contribute to the beauty and value of your home. But even a comely roof can use a bit of sprucing up. Here are some enhancements to consider.

Cupolas for the Roof

Cupolas are small structures with their own roofs. These roofs, like the main roof, can be sloped, flat or domed. Cupolas can be open to the air or have louvers or even windows. Many come topped with weathervanes, spires, finials or spheres. They often take their design from traditional architecture such as pagodas or Gothic churches.
Cupolas can be made of a variety of materials, including copper, wood and types of steel or aluminum. Lots of homeowners prefer copper when it comes to cupolas because this metal starts out as brilliant red gold and ages into an attractive verdigris.

Dormer Windows

Dormer windows are upright windows that project through a sloped roof. Though the name suggests that dormer windows are used for upstairs bedrooms, they can also be used for attics or playrooms. They bring ventilation and light into a place that would otherwise be cramped, dark or musty. Some building codes require a dormer window to be built in an attic as an escape route. Dormer windows can also be beautiful and increase your home’s curb appeal and perhaps raise its market value.

Dormer windows have nearly as many styles as the houses they belong to. Their roofs can be gabled, hipped, deck type, flat, arched or inset. There’s even a type of dormer window called an eyebrow window. This is a small, curved window that resembles an eye peering out from your roof. Your roof’s shingles may curve around it, much like an eyebrow. Eyebrow windows don’t provide extra space the way regular dormer windows do, and many are fixed. They allow a bit of light into the space and are mostly decorative.

Chimney Pots

Homeowners install chimney pots because they protect the fireplace from snow and rain, stop embers from falling on the roof and igniting it, and keep out birds and other nesting animals. However, chimney pots can also be surprisingly decorative. They are traditionally fashioned from types of clay, including terra-cotta. These clay pots can be simple, much like flowerpots, or quite elaborate with beautiful glazes and embossing. Some are made to resemble Japanese garden lanterns. Others are made of steel or copper.

If it’s in your budget, consider roof adornments such as cupolas, chimney pots and dormer windows. They can make an already good-looking roof even more beautiful. If you live in Portland, OR or a surrounding area and need new construction roofing services, make your first call to Bliss Roofing.