Cupolas Domes and Steeples

Domes, cupolas and steeples are some of the most ancient of architectural embellishments, evolving from religious use and ultimately finding wide application in important secular buildings. Heather & Little are your experts in restoring, replacing or building anew these striking features.

Domes

Domed roofs grace some of our most important North American buildings. From onion domes to oval and saucer domes, historic to contemporary, domes are some of the strongest structures in existence. H&L has the expertise to assist in determining the best approach to restore or create your domed roof, with the preparation, structural review and installation that is required for your project. Our professionals make use of historically accurate sheet metals such as bronze, muntz, galvanized steel, stainless steel, zinc, copper and monel metal to ensure your domed roof reflects the aesthetic you envision.

Cupolas

Conversely a cupola is considered an accent on a roof with either a round, square, or multi-sided base. In addition to their decorative appeal, cupolas can allow air and light to circulate through tall buildings. Today cupolas can be found not just on 19th and 20th century public buildings such as churches, courthouses, and estates, but also as an ornament on barns, garages and out buildings. Depending on your project’s size, Heather & Little can work with you to custom design and build or restore your sheet metal cupola in our shop, and then install it on site.

Steeples and Towers

Church steeples, with their vertical lines looking skyward, as well as secular towers, can come in many forms. They may be classically simple or enhanced with decorative metal work. H&L are experts in restoring or replicating the historic details intrinsic to your project. We are committed to solutions that are long lasting, structurally sound, yet honest to the original design, so that your building will stand as a beacon for generations.

St. Stanislaus Roman Catholic Church, Milwaukee

The church was renovated in the 1960s, including the replacement of the copper clad domes with steel and aluminum covered by 23 carat gold leaf, which had lost its luster. Heather & Little were tasked with recladding the 19-foot-tall cupolas that sat atop the domes and restoring the 10-foot-high crosses.

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Onondaga Courthouse

Built in 1907, a hundred years later the once commanding metal domes and cupola of the beaux-arts Courthouse were in need of restoration. Heather & Little reproduced the decorative copper elements, curved batten dome caps, cupola, finials, and cartouches for this massive courthouse exterior restoration.

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Draw Attention

The beauty of a dome roof, steeple or sheet metal cupola draws attention like almost no other architectural detail – and demands the best possible craftsmen for new build or restoration alike. Whether you have a historic building that needs a complete replacement of its decorative metal ornaments, an existing architectural sheet metal feature that needs rehabilitation, or you are working with a new original design, we always strive to achieve your vision. H&L can also assist with the repair and replication of other sheet metal features and accents to make sure that your newly restored cupola, steeple or dome roof blends seamlessly with the rest of your historically significant building.

Preservation Consulting

And if you are looking for a second opinion on your project or have a particularly complex issue that needs a fresh eye, we’re here for that too. Tackling tricky challenges is our specialty and we welcome the opportunity to provide consulting advice, with the same exacting attention to detail we bring to all our commissions.
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