The Cape Cod style house is a small, one-story home that originated in New England during the 17th century. Early settlers from England adapted the style of the thatched cottages found in Britain to guard against the harsh New England winters. The original homes consisted of two rooms, a hall, and a parlor. Daily living activities were carried out in the hall, and the parlor served as the bedroom. Most were constructed of timber and had low ceilings to conserve heat. Cape Cod houses were named and classified by the president of Yale University, Timothy Dwight, in 1800.
By 1900, Cape Cod houses had separate kitchens with pantries and small bedrooms, and people began to build onto them. The style grew in popularity during the depression as the demand for economical housing increased. In the 1930s, architect, Royal Barry Wills brought national attention to Cape Cod style homes when he published his designs, which featured the central chimney as well as a living room, dining room, bedrooms, bathroom, and an attached garage.
Following World War II, Cape Cod style homes were promoted to fill the housing needs of soldiers returning home from the war. The inexpensive, 1000 square foot residences were mass-produced for suburban developments across the nation. Although traditional Cape Cod homes exist primarily along the New England coast, today, Revival Cape Cods can be found the full extent of the Eastern seaboard, in the Midwest, and on the West Coast. You can find modern-day Cape Cod style homes in traditional styles as well as in combination with other architectural forms. While these homes have undergone modification through the years, traditional models retain their coziness and make outstanding starter homes. You’ll easily recognize this style of home by its distinguishing characteristics.
What makes a house, Cape Cod Style?
1. Symmetrical Façade
The façade of the Cape Cod style house combines simple design elements to create a symmetrical appearance. Its rectangular shape coordinates with other features to form smooth geometric lines. The paneled door is centered and multi-paned, double-hung windows are positioned equal distances apart on each side. Decorative shutters accent the windows, and you’ll often find sidelights on each side of the door.
2. Steep Gabled Roof
The steep roof of the Cape Cod style home was designed to prevent buildup of snow and ice and is one of its most notable characteristics. Many homes of this type also feature gabled roofs, which have two slanted sides that join to form end walls with a triangular extension.
3. Dormers
Dormers are another distinctive design feature of the Cape Cod style home. The paired windows protruding from the surface of the roof are frequently the first thing you’ll notice. The original homes weren’t built with dormers, but they were added to many homes during the 1920s. Today, dormers are included in the original construction of Cape Cod style houses.
4. Large Central Chimney
Traditional Cape Cod style houses in New England were built with a large central chimney that had several fireplaces to provide heat to all the rooms in the home. Those later built in the South had the chimney located on the outer wall to help dissipate heat. As stoves and furnaces were introduced, the large chimney was no longer needed. The chimneys grew smaller and began to be constructed at one end of the house. Many of the central chimneys in the original homes were replaced.
5. Wood Frame
Since timber was plentiful in the New England states, the original Cape Cod style homes were built with a wood frame. Wood is still a relatively inexpensive building material, and you‘ll find many new Cape Cod style homes with wood frame construction.
6. Shingle Siding
The clapboard or cedar shake shingles covering the roof and sides of the house are a striking feature of these homes. Originally intended to protect against the harsh climate of New England winters, the shingles have become a low-maintenance alternative to siding.
7. Modest Exterior Decoration
You’ll notice the absence of decorative features on the Cape Cod style home, as it relies on simple geometric lines to impart its charisma. The alignment of the home’s structural elements creates a symmetrical appearance to provide a clean, orderly look. Cape Cod style homes are designed for functionality, and the absence of gratuitous detail makes them inexpensive to build and easy to maintain.
8. Pilasters
Pilasters are usually the only ornamental feature you’ll see on Cape Cod style houses. They project slightly from the wall and surround the door to highlight the entryway. While pilasters found on traditional Cape Cod style homes are simplistic in design, today you can find a variety of styles with more decorative attributes.
9. Cozy Size
Unlike many homes of the Colonial Revival era, Cape Cod style houses are relatively small. However, their small size lends to a cozy atmosphere with the alluring charm that has contributed to the popularity of the style. These homes were especially prevalent following the depression, whereas they could be purchased inexpensively and expanded as the funds became available. It’s not uncommon to see this style of house with numerous additions and expansions.
10. Central Hall Layout
The floor plan of the original Cape Cod style home was centered on its large fireplace. Newer homes typically retain the symmetry with a central hallway that divides the home into equal sections on both sides. You will usually find that the living room is located toward the front of the house on one side with the kitchen at the rear. The bedrooms are located on the opposite side of the home.
