Cape Cod homes are iconic and familiar passel in American towns . Here ’s how to identify them .
A airless congenator of the compound - stylus homes scattered across the East Coast and the South , Cape Cod houses were an economical resolution to Americans ' desires to be householder . With root in the 17th century , this Hellenic American expressive style remains pop today . These Cape Cod - flair dwelling showcase several key constituent that distinguish thiscasual , traditionalstyle .
History of Cape Cod Houses
The origins of Cape Cod houses date back to the 1600s when the first Puritan settlers arrived in America . The humble architecture issimilar to an English bungalow , but a few features were adjust to withstand the abrasive New England climate better . The steeply pitched roofs , for example , are designed to allow heavy snow to slide off more easy in the wintertime . Shutters were installed to aid block strong winds .
Simple Cape Cod Houses
Cape Cod houses are delineate by their round-eyed shapes and limited exterior ornamentation . They are typicallybuilt with side - gabled roof , which feature sloped sides along the front and back and pitch triangular areas on either side of the home . This strip - down roofline distinguishes them from the cornucopia of roof angles and detail often found in straitlaced home .
Small Cape Cod Houses
Historically , Cape Cod houses weremodestly - sized homeswith one to one - and - a - half stories . The relatively low ceiling made it easier to stir up the buildings during the wintertime . Today , the house way ’s stalwart , practical show maintains its simple charm .
Symmetrical Cape Cod House Plans
Many Cape Cod houses are recognizable for proportionate front window : two window on one side of the front door and two on the other . This is refer to as a full Cape . Other variations include half Cape , with window on only one side of the door , and three - quarter Cape , which featurestwo windowson one side and one on the other .
Modern Cape Cod Houses
A deficiency of resources , time , and money were some of the factors that originally made the familiar size of Cape Cod - style houses so democratic . You ’ll now find oneself modern Cape Cod houses with much prominent dimension . The vogue has since been adapted to today ’s tastes and modus vivendi , but many of itssimplistic charmsremain .
Additions to Cape Cod Houses
Unlike Victorian homes popular in the other twentieth century , Cape Cod home are distinguish by their simple architectural intent . This often practice to the outside as well as the home layout . Because of their minor geometric contour , Cape Cod houses are particularlywell - suited for additions .
Cape Cod House Updates
Traditionally , the space under the roof of a Cape Cod planetary house was n’t used as a livable second fib . later on , dormers became a useful solutionfor many Cape Cod homeowners to expand their living blank space . These pop - out windows let some ventilation room for the half - story on the 2d level , make it suited for bedrooms and bonus space .
Cape Cod-Style Entrance
Most Cape Cod - style homes have a homely front entry with slight to no trim or details . Later variation became more cosmetic , sometimes feature a modest portico . Some also have paint pilasters or , in the pillow slip of very luxuriant setups , porch columns .
Cape Cod House Sizes
A half - story on a 2d base was a style for Cape Cod homeowners to gain substantial footage but save on building costs . Although there are some usance limitations , the half - story is well deserving it for the special blank . The lowly ceilings keep the space cosy andeasy to keep affectionate .
Colonial Cape Cod Homes
rise around the same period , Cape Cod andColonial - style homesshare many notable characteristics . The historical tie between the two styles is apparent on the pitched roof of many of these house . They proffer practical drain and stature for the half - story typically admit in a Cape Cod home .
Cape Cod House Colors
Like many of the style ’s other characteristics , Cape Cod house typically sport neutralexterior color schemes . The original handshake shingles are often left to atmospheric condition gray , while other Cape Cod homes play paint shingles . Most of the color schemes , like those ofColonial - stylehomes , are very inert and austere .
Cape Cod House Floor Plan
The front doors of Cape Cod house are commonly centered on the facade . Inside , their small size of it often include just a few simple elbow room . A traditional Cape Cod base design includes a living room , kitchen , and tub downstairs withtwo modest bedroomsupstairs .
Cape Cod House Siding
Shingle shakesand Ellen Price Wood clapboard are extra distinguishing feature of Cape Cod - style homes . Wood was a plentiful local stuff for those just settling on the East Coast . Before pre - milled lumber , cedar tree shakes were hand - split from blocks of wood using a mallet .
Cape Cod House Position
The small size of it of Cape Cod homes often translate into low use of details . Houses of this fashion are often sited to maximize available sunlight , with the big window facing south . This positioning helps minimize heating costs while get ample born luminosity into rooms .
Cape Cod Home Windows
A modestly scaled interior meant that original Cape Cod householder had to maximize whatever details they included in their homes . To gain sunlight whenever potential , windows were often extended very eminent , often up to the roofline . Gableddormers within the roofalso invite in more clean .
Cape Cod Chimneys
Originally Cape Cod homes could be heated expeditiously because of their small size . Many of these home hadonly one open fireplace , often in the center . In advanced versions of the trend , the chimney was often positioned just to one side or locate to both ends of the home .
Cape Cod House Variations
ManyCape Cod - vogue homeswere built before the Civil War . Although the manner faded a bit in popularity , it find a resurgence in the early to mid-1900s when it was called Cape Cod Revival . Even though the styles were separated by about a century , they still share several commonality , including a blatant want of exterior point .
More Classic American House Styles
In addition to Cape Cod houses , American architectural styles includeColonial , which derived its item , admit simple color palettes and a symmetrical facade , from Georgian and Federalist fashion , among others . colonial are known for their distinct way divisions and middle - hall stairways .
Craftsman housesare known for detailed interior woodwork , big front porch , and vulgar colors . They were popular in the Midwest and West , unite with the Bungalow style in California to create a uniquely West Coast look .
On a grand scale , Victorian housesare instantly recognizable for their multi - colored exterior , gun turret , William Clark Gable , gingerbread particular , and hearty wraparound porch . In contemporary design , Victorians work well with Boho interior decoration since both let in lots of details and multiple colors and patterns .
Credit: Michael Partenio
Simple and functional , Saltbox homesare mainly discover in the Northeast , where their distinctive rooflines help melt snow to return off of roofs during cold winters . This style has been update for more contemporary - looking homes found in beach townspeople , where dim-witted aim allow the environment to take center point .
Credit: David A Land
Credit: Kritsada Panichgul
Credit: Edward Gohlich
Credit: Joseph Keller
Credit: John Gruen
Credit: Laurie Black
Credit: Emily Followill
Credit: Richard Leo Johnson
Credit: Michael Luppino
Credit: Philip Harvey
Credit: Tria Giovan
Credit: Tria Giovan
Credit: Edward Gohlich
Credit: John Bessler
Credit: Susan Gilmore
