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1. Cape Cod House: An Architectural
Style of Simplicity and Elegance!
A House with a simple, timeless clean-lined silhouette and symmetric
layout. A home filled with traditional culture and coziness with a beachy
style twist. After reading this, what style of home comes to your mind?
Yes, we’re talking about the Cape Cod homes. They have been around for
centuries; still, they continue to enchant us. Cape Cod architecture is a
well known and easily recognizable style of American architecture. If you
asked any kid to draw a picture of a house, surely he’ll draw a Cape Cod
cottage!
Named after the Massachusetts coastal region, Cape Cod architecture
consists of a simple house plan, yet it is quite popular. This architecture is
mainly found in New England as it is the signature style there. But they
are also found all across the United States. Even today, the original Cape
Cod architectural style inspires many new constructions. But what makes
a Cape Cod-style home so unique and timeless?
Keep reading to learn interesting things and facts about this quaint
architectural style, including long history, different types of Cape Cod
homes, and most importantly, the key elements & characteristics of cape
cod style homes.

2. In 1675, Cape Cod was a popular style for homes. People used
half-timbered English houses with a hall as a model to protect themselves
from New England’s stormy weather. They typically built them around
one story (sometimes 1-1/2 stories) with a steep roofline with side gables.
There were also a small overhang, wood siding, multi-pane windows, and
hardwood floors. All the elements were built for a practical reason. For
example, large dormer windows were created to get more space, light,
and ventilation. Not only this, but there are a lot of things that make them
unique. What are they? Let’s start with their amazing history.

3. The Origins of Cape Cod Architecture
Source: architecturaldigest.com
The Cape Cod style houses are actually from the time of the earliest
Puritan settlers. Believe it or not! But this style was first introduced by the
English colonists to the United States in the 17th century. These people
came with the idea of English half-timber hall and parlor houses to
accommodate New England’s harsh winter climate.
The main cape cod houses started building from 1690 to 1850, but at that
time, the name Cape cod was not given to them. The term “Cape Cod

4. house” was given by the President of Yale University, Timothy Dwight IV,
after a visit to these cottages. He observed these structures carefully, and
these were also published in “Travels in New England and New York”
(1821-22).
The second wave, “Cape Cod Revival,” arose from the 1920s to the 1950s.
This is the time where this style gained immense popularity across the
United States. Because of the symmetrical design, open living space, and
arrangement, it was later considered a quintessentially American style.
Steep roofs were constructed to minimize the weight of snow settling on
the roof, and low ceilings & shutters were meant to conserve heat and
also block harsh winter winds.

5. What Exactly is a Cape Cod Style House?
Source: thespruce.com
Cape Cod architecture is one of the popular home styles in the U.S, and
there have been a lot of similarities between Cape houses and traditional
American Colonial homes.
Originally Cape Cod houses were small, rectangular cottages that were
usually one-and-a-half-stories high. The Cape Cod structures in the
17th-century were modest. They can be described as one-room deep,
wood-framed houses with shingle exteriors. They have a steeply pitched
roof, a big central chimney, and low ceilings. There was also a central
door, which was surrounded by wooden shutter-clad windows.

6. Key Elements
Now let’s talk about the main features of cape cod architecture. What’re
the things that make them special among all the other architectural
styles? Below elements are always an essential part of any cape cod
home, whether be it traditional or revival one:
Exterior:
● These houses have a Symmetrical appearance. There is a centered
front entry that opens to a central hall and dining space.
● Every cape cod home has a large central chimney in the middle of
the structure. It is directly located behind the main entrance door,
and all the rooms are clustered around it in a rectangular shape.
● Cape Cods generally have a steep, slanted, gabled roof and a
shallow roof overhang (sometimes side-gabled) to quickly shed rain
and snow.
● These homes always have two Double-hung windows with shutters
on each side of the door and sometimes have a dormer on each side
of the chimney.
● The second level can be accessed by a narrow stair, or ‘captain’s
stairway.’
● The other most recognizable elements of classic Cape Cod
Architecture are the weathered grey shingles.

7. ● Overall, cape cod house plans have a simple exterior without any
porch and roofline.
Interior:
● These homes have a simple rectangular layout, that is usually in
small (one-story) size. But the house plan is always one-and-a-half
level or three-quarter Cape.
● These places have extremely low ceilings, which also help conserve
heat.
● The overall layout or plan always features a large, open-concept
living space.
● Bedrooms are usually located in dormers or under gables.
● The interiors have clean lines, bold features with a little aesthetic
detailings.

8. Materials Used in Cape Cod Architecture
Source: thoughtco.com
Talking about basic building materials, all Cape Cod houses were
traditionally constructed using local materials. The reason behind this
was to stand up against the harsh weather of the New England winters.
● Oak and pine woods are used for post and beam framing.
● Oak and pine wood flooring
● All homes have brick fireplaces.
● Clapboard or cedar shake roof with side shingles was left unpainted.
This can be seen in original Cape Cod cottages.

9. ● During the Cape Cod revival in the mid-20th century, black shutters
on white exteriors had become a classic color combination.
Variations on the Cape Cod home
There are also some variations seen in cape cod architecture. Smaller
variations of the homes were called “single Capes” or “three-quarter
Capes. Do you know how these sizes were dictated? It depended on the
number of family members and available finances. But whether it was
small or big, every classic cottage had a central front entrance with two
windows on each side.

10. Half Cape:
Source: capelinks.com
Half cape cottages have a front door (just like any other) on one side of
the home with two multi-paned glass windows. They’re used by small
families, and this variation is sometimes also known as a Single Cape.

11. Three-quarter Cape:
Source: housemethod.com
Three quarter cape homes have two multi-paned windows on one side
and one multi-paned window on the other side. In the 18th and early-19th
centuries, this style of Cape was quite popular.

12. Full Cape:
Source: realtor.com
The full cape is also known as Double Cape, and it can also be seen today
in many parts of America. This home was constructed for the big families
by wealthy people. These homes usually consist of two multi-paned
windows (placed symmetrically on either side), a steep roof, and a
massive chimney.

13. Fascinating Facts About Cape Cod Architecture
Source: idesignarch.com
● After World War II, Boston architect Royal Barry Willis was
instrumental in the spread of Cape Cod style homes throughout the
United States.
● After soldiers returned home from World War II, these houses
instantly gained popularity because of their affordability, especially
during the Great Depression.
● Royal Barry Wills added amenities like bathrooms, kitchens, and
garages so that the middle-class families can use cape cod houses.

14. ● The Dugan residence and The Levittown House ( built by William J.
Levitt and Sons in Long Island, N.Y) are some of the famous
examples of Cape Cod Architecture.
● Levittown was the first major housing development company, and
it had built more than 17,000 virtually identical Cape Cod homes.
Here are some cape cod style homes exterior ideas for you to know more
about this classic architecture:
Source: pinimg.com

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16. Source: wordpress.com
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17. Source: pinimg.com
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18. Source: paragonrels.com
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19. Source: homedit.com
Final Verdict!
Now you know the answer, why people fall in love with Cape Cod-style
homes and how they became one of the most influential architectural
styles in America. This style proves that even a simple house plan with
practical and functional detailings can become a popular choice.
I hope you like the Cape Cod Architecture that has stood the test of time.
For more interesting blogs and architectural guidance, keep coming to
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