What Is the Definition of a Cape Cod Home?

Roofline

• One of the most prominent features of a Cape Cod house is the steep roof with a small overhang--designed to shed the heavy New England shows. Dormers, which are small angled roof extensions built to hold a window, are commonly built into the roof. Shakes or shingles are the traditional roofing materials used. Most Cape Cods have a large central chimney in line with front door. Symmetrical gables--additional peaked roofs protruding from the original roof--may be added, peaking at a height slightly lower than the main roofline.

Size

• Cape Cod homes are usually 1 to 1 ½ stories tall. The steep roofline makes the attic ceiling high enough to be habitable, so the living quarters are often expanded to include this area. Originally Cape Cod houses were designed to be two fairly small rooms side-by-side, but as the colonists became more prosperous, they would add more rooms onto the sides of the house--usually taking care to maintain the symmetrical appearance by adding on evenly to each side.

Exterior

• Wood was plentiful in New England during Colonial times so a Cape Cod house was usually clad in horizontally-hung wide clapboard or shingles, although brick Cape Cods are not unheard of. The windows are multi-paned, double-hung and placed symmetrically. Working wooden window shutters are very characteristic of this style and are usually the only decorative note to be found on the exterior of a Cape Cod house.

Symmetry

• Symmetry is a main theme in the Cape Cod style, both indoors and out. The original houses were built formally around a small entrance hall leading to the front door, which was directly in the center of the exterior front wall. Dormers, gables and extensions--if any--are present in pairs to preserve the home's symmetry. The interior is symmetrical as well; sometimes rooms are divided with half the room on either side of the hallway so it will all “come out even.”

Interior

• The interior of a Cape Cod house is distinctive as well. Each room has a fireplace with access to the central chimney. Wood, most commonly maple or oak, is used extensively throughout the house for crown molding, chair rails, wainscoting, cabinetry and floors. The wood trim in a Cape Cod is often painted white to lighten the rooms. Symmetry is important here too, with furniture and ornaments being balanced to create a harmonious feeling in the rooms.