Frequently Asked Questions - New England Birdhouse

Playfair Island Custom Architectural Replica Birdhouse

NEW ENGLAND BIRDHOUSE

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Commonly Asked Birdhouse Questions

Q. Can your replica birdhouses be placed outdoors?
A. All of our birdhouses are constructed with exterior grade materials. The replica houses are fully functional, with removable panels for easy cleaning. Our custom birdhouses are shipped with a non-yellowing marine grade urethane exterior finish. Our stock replica birdhouses sold in the Marketplace have no exterior finish. We recommend a non-yellowing marine grade finish be applied to these birdhouses to extend their outdoor life. We also recommend that the houses be brought inside during winter months when they are not occupied. (Return to top)

Q. What types of birds will nest in the replica birdhouses?
A. The entry hole openings of our custom and stock replica birdhouses (excluding Purple Martin Houses) are designed to accommodate common cavity dwellers such as wrens, finches, chickadees, nuthatches and titmice. Other bird houses are available in the Backyard Birding section of our Marketplace with entry holes and specifications designed for other birds such as owls, wood ducks, kestrels, and bluebirds. (Return to top)

Q. What materials are used to construct the replica birdhouses? the custom birdhouses?
A. Our stock replica houses and feeders are constructed of western red cedar or pine shingles for the roof, exterior grade ply-board for the walls, floor and underlying roof board, kiln-dried hardwoods, pine and poly-resinfor the details.

Our custom birdhouses are made from 5/8" eastern white pine, fastened and joined with exterior grade screws and glue. The roof seams and nest-box entry holes are covered with copper flashing. The outside of the custom birdhosue is painted with exterior grade sealer and paint and finished with a marine urethane finish.

The Pedestals are constructed of exterior grade ply-board, kiln-dried hardwood and exterior grade, non-toxic paint. The pedestals are to be placed on a flat dry surface, such as stone or cement. They should not be placed directly on grass or dirt. A base of pressure treated wood should be fixed to the bottom of the pedestal footing if placed outside. Additionally the birdhouse should be screwed to the pedestal to avoid damage.(Return to top)

Q. How long will the birdhouse last?
A. All of our birdhouses are constructed for outdoor use and with proper placement and maintainence should provide years of enjoyment. We recommend that the houses be located in a shady, sheltered area to minimize weathering. We also recommend that the replica birdhouses be moved inside during the winter months. With time, all of our products will need to be refinished. Stock Replica bird houses with wooden shingles will patina to a silvery color and the piece will become weathered and distressed. Our customers' satisfaction is a priority, and we encourage them to contact us if they have any issues with their birdhouses.

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Q. How long does it take to complete a custom birdhouse?
A. Depending on the complexity of the design, each custom bird house takes approximately four weeks to complete. A production date will be provided upon an accepted estimate. Our current production schedule can be found at our Production Queue page. (Return to top)

Q. How large is the custom birdhouse?
A. Because each home is custom, we can generally create any size house. Our typical custom birdhouse features 2 nesting chambers and is approximately 20" Long x 16" Wide x 12" Tall. We recommend building the birdhouse at 1/3 scale.

Larger houses can be produced.

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Q. Can you build custom bird feeders?
A. Currently, we do not offer custom bird feeders.(Return to top)

Q. How much will the custom birdhouse cost?
A. Pricing varies by design complexity, however most of our unique birdhouses, which feature front, back and side detail are around $1,200-$1,600. A deposit of half of the cost is requested to begin production, and the remainder is due upon completion of the project. (Return to top)

Q. How are the birdhouses shipped?
A. The houses are securely packed and are shipped via a long distance carrier. Shipping costs are provided for all birdhouses at the time of purchase. (Return to top)

Q. What kind of photos do I need to send for a custom birdhouse?
A. Photos can either be emailed (.gif or .jpg) or sent through the mail. We prefer to see different views of each side of the house (i.e. Front - taken from the left and right), but please send at least 1 photo per side to be reproduced. (Return to top)

Q. How closely will the colors of the custom birdhouse match my home?
A. We uniquely blend the colors to match a high resolution print of the images provided. The colors are blended to best match the images that we are provided. The colors will represent the colors of the image. (Return to top)

Q. How are the birdhouses mounted?
A. Where noted, some of our stock replica birdhouses are shipped with mounting hardware and instructions. We also stock pedestals which can be modified to accomodate a permanent outdoor mounting.

Otherwise, birdhouses can be fitted with a 1" or 3/4" galvanized mounting flange on the bottom of the house. Galvanized iron pipe can be purchased at your local hardware store or home center. These pipes are generally sold in 8-10' lengths and can be shortened with a hacksaw if desired. To mount the house, simply screw the threaded end of the pipe into the flange. In your backyard, a 2-3' hole back-filled with dirt will hold the house and pole up. For a more permanent mounting, the hole can be filled with concrete. A variety of flanges, couplings and brackets can be found at the home center to accommodate any other mounting. (Return to top)

Q. Will installation instructions be included with the custom birdhouse?
A. Yes, installation instructions along with backyard birding tips will be included with the birdhouse. These tips will help you to locate your birdhouse in an area of your yard where you can maximize both your and your feathered friends enjoyment of the new house. (Return to top)

Q. Will I need to clean the inside of my birdhouse?
A. Yes, clean houses are more likely to be occupied and bird safe (disease free). Your birdhouse should be cleaned prior to and at the end of each nesting season. To clean, remove the exposed panel and screws. Remove any old nesting material, and wipe the inside of the nest box with a mild bleach/water solution (1:10). (Return to top)

Q. What is your Return Policy for replica birdhouses?
A. Warranty: We have an unconditional 90 day replacement for any defects with our replica birdhouses. Our goal is 100% Customer Satisfaction. If you receive a birdhouse that was damaged during shipping, contact us within 10 days and we will arrange for a replacement.(Return to top)

Commonly Asked Marketplace Questions

Q. What is your Return Policy for products purchased in your Marketplace?
Please see our Shipping and Return Policy Page for more information. (Return to top)

Q. What is your shipping policy for items purchased in your Marketplace?
Please see our Shipping and Return Policy Page for more information. (Return to top)

Q. What is your Holiday shipping policy for items purchased in your Marketplace?
Please see our Holiday Shipping Policy Page for more information. (Return to top)

Commonly Asked Cupola Questions

Q. What is a Cupola?
A. A Cupola is a charming and distinctive architectural accent that is mounted atop a roof. Years ago, before electric fans or climate control devices, cupolas were used to ventilate barns to keep live stock and crops cool in summer. Although cupolas are still used functionally today, the majority of them are chosen by home owners and architects as decorative accents to enhance the home, garage, barn, shed or gazebo. (Return to top)

Q. How do I know the pitch of my roof?
A. The roof pitch refers to the angle or steepness of your roof. Simply use a carpenter's square to record the angle (rise) of your roof. (Return to top)

Q. How do I know if an extension base is needed on my cupola?
A. Our vinyl and wood cupolas are designed for a roof pitch up to 10" rise per foot (known as 10/12" pitch). Most roofs are not steeper than this. However, if the roof pitch is steeper than 10/12 pitch, it is important to order the extension base at the same time you order your cupola. (Return to top)

Q. Can I paint my vinyl cupola?
A. Yes, you can paint your vinyl cupola with 100% acrylic latex paint. Choose a paint with a light reflective value (LVR) of 55 or higher. No special surface preparations are required prior to painting, but please make sure that the surfaces are clean and dry. Note: Once you paint your vinyl cupola it is no longer considered maintenance free. (Return to top)

Q. How do I cover the hole in the top of the cupola?
A. We stock a Hole Plug Kit to cover the hole at the top of your cupola. Please request the Hole Plug Kit when you order your cupola. (Return to top)

Q. Which size cupola best fits my garage or home?
A. This is the simple rule for selecting the correct cupola size: 1.5" of copper cupola roof for every foot of uninterrupted ridgeline. To feel more confident about choosing the right size cupola for your roof, find a cardboard box that is close in size to the cupola that is determined by the 1.5" rule. Next, cut a V-shape in the box based on the angle of your roof. Then simply place the box on your roof. Now you can visually determine if the size is perfect or if you should choose a larger or smaller cupola. (Return to top)

Q. Should I be concerned about the height of the cupola?
A. No. All cupolas are designed and built to the proportion of the base size. (Return to top)

Q. Which style cupola should I choose for my garage or home?
A. Our cupolas come in the widest variety of styles, from traditional to contemporary. Because of this, we are confident you will find the perfect cupola on this Web site. (Return to top)

Commonly Asked Weathervane Questions

Q. Which are the most popular weathervanes?
A. The eagle, rooster, and horse have always been favorites. These designs date back to early colonial settlements. (Return to top)

Q. Which weathervane should I buy?
A. You should buy the weathervane that best displays your personality, or that identifies the area in which you live. (Return to top)

Q. What is included in the weathervane?
A. All weathervanes, except cottage styles, include a copper figure, a brass and stainless steel rod, copper spacer balls, and solid brass directionals. Cottage weathervanes contain all of the above but come complete with a powder coated steel rod and either a roof mount or garden pole for display. Mounting and display options for all other weathervanes are sold separately.(Return to top)

Q. What is the weathervane made of?
A. The weathervane figure and spacer balls are made of pure copper. The directionals are made of solid brass, and the rod is brass and stainless steel. This ensures a rust-free, maintenance-free product. (Return to top)

Q. What is the difference between the green and the polished finish?
A. The green finish is referred to as "patina." This is an artificial finish applied to give the weathervane the appearance of an antique. To some people, the polished finish is more appealing. After assembly, these weathervane figures are placed on buffers to give them luster and shine. (Return to top)

Q. How long will the polished finish last?
A. We do not treat our polished copper weathervanes. So, within a few months, the weathervanes will lose their polished look and start to naturally tarnish. At first, the finish will turn dark, like an old copper penny. Then, after several years, the surface will begin to bloom with a beautiful natural patina. If you desire to keep the polished finish looking new, we recommend using a clear lacquer or polyurethane. Good Directions offers the brand "Staybrite" an excellent way to protect and maintain the polished finish.(Return to top)

Q. We live by the ocean and experience strong gusts of wind. Will the weathervane fall apart?
A. We recommend you apply a thread locker, like "Loctite," to bond the rod threads and screw threads. (Return to top)

Q. Are the weathervanes easy to assemble?
A. Yes, all you need is a screwdriver. Instructions are included. All the parts slide onto the rod and are secured by setscrews. (Return to top)

Q. How do I mount the weathervane?
A. The easiest and most affordable way to mount a weathervane is to use our 401AL or 401LG roof mounts. For mounting your weathervane in other areas, we also offer garden poles, display bases, eave mounts, and wall mounts. (Return to top)

Q. Can weathervanes be used indoors?
A. Yes. Our accessories include a variety of mantel bases and floor stands to help bring the beauty of our weathervanes into the home. (Return to top)

Q. Where can weathervane figures be placed indoors?
A. Weathervanes can be placed in many places, such as over fireplace mantels, on window sills, over kitchen cabinets, mounted on the wall, or on a display base on the floor or hearth. Our mounting and display options make it easy. (Return to top)

Q. If the weathervane is pointing south, does this mean that the wind is blowing from the north?
A. No. The weathervane figure will always point into the wind. In other words, the figure will always point in the direction from where the wind is blowing. (Return to top)

Q. Should the N-E-S-W directionals on my weathervane turn in the wind?
A. No, N-E-S-W represents the compass points of the earth and should stay fixed. If you see them moving in the wind, tighten the screws on each of the brass directionals. (Return to top)

Q. Can we just buy the weathervane figure?
A. Yes. These figures make beautiful decorative pieces in the home. (Return to top)

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