updates | June 27, 2026

What style is a Cape Cod home

A Cape Cod house is a low, broad, single-story frame building with a moderately-steep-pitched gabled roof, a large central chimney, and very little ornamentation.

What style is Cape Cod?

When it comes to architecture, Cape Cod house style is as all-American as a fresh slice of apple pie. Dating back to New England during the 17th century, this classic style proves that keeping it simple is anything but boring. In fact, it’s not too hard to see how Cape Cod homes have deftly surpassed the test of time.

What are Cape Cod houses called?

Some smaller variations of the houses were called “single Capes” or “three-quarter Capes,” and that size was dictated by the number of family members and available finances—yep, even colonists had starter homes!

What basic house design is a Cape Cod style house?

Often featuring wood shingles or clapboard siding, Cape Cod homes utilize double-hung windows with shutters, with little roof overhang and a minimum of exterior ornamentation. The symmetrical design is mirrored in the interior, which often features a center hall layout.

What is Cape Cod style interior?

Cape Cod-style homes are traditionally one or one-and-a-half stories, though many modern versions are two to two-and-a-half stories. The exterior ornamentation is very simple, with shingled siding and centered chimneys.

What is a half Cape Cod house?

There are three types of Cape Cod houses: a half-Cape, ¾-Cape and a full-Cape. The half-Cape has two front-facing windows and a door off to the side. Three-quarter-Capes have two windows, a door and a single window on a smaller end of the house.

Is a Cape Cod house a cottage?

Cape Cod architecture is one of the most instantly recognizable home styles in the U.S. At its core, an original Cape Cod house is a small, rectangular, unadorned one to one-and-a-half-story cottage with a steep pitched roof to keep snow from piling up and side gables.

How many square feet is a Cape Cod house?

Total Living AreaMain floor: 900 Upper floor: 728Basement: 890Total Sq. Ft.: 1628Beds/BathsBedrooms: 3 Full Baths: 1Half Baths: 1Levels2 storiesDimensionWidth: 35′ 6″ Depth: 28′ 8″Height: 26′ 5″Walls (exterior)2″x6″

Is a Cape Cod 2 stories?

What are Cape Cod style homes? Cape Cod style homes are traditionally single story homes with a low and broad rectangular profile, a central chimney, and a pitched, side-gabled roof. In later years, dormers or second stories were often added to Cape Cod homes, though other primary features were maintained.

How do I make my cape house bigger?

Open Up Walls One of the best ways to create the illusion of more space is by opening up your space and removing walls. The Cape Cod home traditionally consists of enclosed spaces. By opening walls, you’re not actually adding square footage, but you improve flow and brighten the space by letting in more light.

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What are the characteristics of a Cape Cod style house?

  • Symmetrical appearance with a centered front entry.
  • Steep roofs with side gables and an overhang.
  • Shingle siding.
  • Gabled dormers.
  • Double-hung windows with shutters.
  • Centralized chimneys.
  • Simple exterior ornamentation.

What is the difference between a Cape Cod and Cape Ann style home?

A rectangular house, commonly one or one and a half stories high, that is similar to a Cape Cod house, but has a shingled mansard roof rather than a shingled gable roof.

What is the difference between Cape Cod and Colonial?

The Cape Cod house has a gabled roof, which means the roof has two sloping sides that meet at a ridge. In the case of the Dutch Colonial house, the roof has a gambrel roof: There are two sides and each side has two slopes.

Where did the Cape Cod style house originated?

Colonial Cape Cod Home Though the style is quintessentially American, the first Cape Cods were developed by early settlers from England in the 1600s. Partially inspired by the simple, thatched cottages common in Britain, the settlers adapted the style to keep out the harsh New England winter.

When did Cape Cod style houses become popular?

Colonial Revival Cape Cod houses became especially popular during the 1930s and later.

How do you update a Cape Cod house?

  1. Set a budget. …
  2. Plan for the future. …
  3. Look for a large foundation. …
  4. Skip the living room. …
  5. Consider a mudroom or porch. …
  6. Open the kitchen. …
  7. Switch the doors.

What makes a house colonial style?

Colonial-style houses usually have two or three stories, fireplaces, and brick or wood facades. The classic Colonial-style house floor plan has the kitchen and family room on the first floor and the bedrooms on the second floor. Colonial homes are easy to add on to at the side or the back.

Is Cape Cod safe to live?

What are the safest towns in Cape Cod? According to the FBI, the safest towns in the area are Sandwich, Brewster, Bourne, Harwich, and Mashpee. Not only is Sandwich the safest town but also the oldest in Cape Cod being incorporated in 1639. The overall crime rate in this town is 1.11%.

What is cottage style house?

What Is a Cottage? A cottage is a type of small house that can fit any number of architectural styles and house designs. The definition of a cottage varies among cultures, but a cottage tends to be a small, cozy home in the countryside—often a summer home or vacation home.

What is a contemporary style house?

Put simply, contemporary homes reflect the architecture of today. … Modern architecture refers to a style that was popularized from the 1920s to 1950s, one that embraced clean lines and stark minimalism. Contemporary architecture goes beyond that to define the ever-evolving architectural styles of the 21st century.

What makes a craftsman style house?

The common features of the Craftsman style include low-pitched gable (triangular) roofs, overhanging eaves with exposed rafters and beams, heavy, tapered columns, patterned window panes and a covered front porch. Craftsman house exteriors emphasize harmony with surrounding nature.

What does a 1.5 story house look like?

A 1.5 story home is a 1 story home with a partial second floor added to allow for more space. … It features a large open kitchen/great room and a first floor master bedroom with a large walk-in closet.

Do all Cape Cods have dormers?

Unlike the American Foursquare or other Colonial Revival house styles with one centered dormer on the roof, a Cape Cod style will often have two or more dormers. Dormers come in all shapes and sizes, however.

How tall is a two story Cape Cod house?

Two story homes are, at minimum height, 16 feet tall and can be up to nearly 30 feet tall, depending on a few additional factors.

How tall are Cape Cod ceilings?

The ceiling height for both the first and second floors is 7 1/2 feet. On the second floor, this height must be at the roof peak, which is the highest point of a very steeply pitched roof.

How much does it cost to build a house on Cape Cod?

The average cost to build a Cape Cod home in California is around $350 to $500 per square foot. Cape Cods are relatively common in California because they are great for adding height without seeming bulky. It’s a great way to increase square footage without necessarily needing more land.

How do I find floor plans?

Contact your local permit agency or records office. Often these agencies store copies of building plans for decades after the structure has been built. Ask what information you need to supply in order to obtain copies of existing blueprints. Provide the required forms and information, and pick up a copy of your plans.

How do you modernize a Cape Cod exterior?

  1. What’s unique about Cape Cod-style homes? …
  2. Add or replace the fence. …
  3. Put in bigger windows. …
  4. Add planter boxes to windows. …
  5. Upgrade to new exterior shutters or repaint existing ones. …
  6. Simplify outdoor decor. …
  7. Throw in a pop of color to your landscaping. …
  8. Reveal the original siding.

Can you turn a cape into a colonial?

Because you’re changing the style of your present house to another well-known style house ( cape to colonial or a ranch to either a colonial or split-level ranch ) and once completed, there will be no visual oddity/eyesore, especially when needing a large size addition.

How much does it cost to raise a roof on Cape Cod?

Cost to Raise Roof on a Cape Cod It costs between $15,000 and $125,000 and up to raise the roof on a Cape Cod-style home. You’ll likely find it’s more expensive to raise the roof on a Cape Cod than a smaller or less complex house. Cape Cods roof raises are also more complicated than a home with absolutely no dormers.

What is the most common house style in America?

Ranch house styles are the most searched style in the US today and are common in cities and suburbs across the country. There are various ranch house styles, including California and split-level ranch homes. The main distinguishing features between these styles are living space and home layout.