Cape Cods were originally built in the U.S. by settlers who modeled it after the simple and square homes that populated England.Exterior shutters are also part of the Cape Cod home’s charm, sometimes functional and sometimes purely aesthetic.
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What does a traditional Cape Cod house look like?
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.The space above the 1st floor was often left unfinished, with or without windows on the gable ends.
What are Cape Cod windows called?
Double-hung windows
Double-hung windows are the predominate window type for both the front and back façade of the Cape Cod home. A popular variation of the double-hung window has the top and lower sash of different heights.
Do Cape Cod houses always have dormers?
Rain on the Cape
This Cape Cod home seems very traditional—no dormers, a center chimney, and not even any window shutters. Upon a closer look, in addition to a shed-like front door shelter, rain and snow can be redirected away from the house by gutters and downspouts and window lintels.
Do Cape Cod houses have porches?
Over the years, we see that Cape Cod homes have morphed from very plain square structures to larger abodes.You might even find a porch on the front or back of a modern Cape Cod. All additions increased the living space of the home but by no means took away it’s charm.
What is the difference between a Cape Cod and a bungalow?
These two architectural styles sometimes get confused with each other, since they often share some overlapping features, including gabled roofs, a single story design, and a symmetrical exterior. However bungalows lack some of the other key features of a Cape, such as prominent central chimneys.
What is Cape Cod style decor?
Inspired by traditional English cottages, Cape Cod homes feature steep gabled roofs with dormer windows. Other common features include symmetrical designs with clapboard or wood-shingle siding and multi-pane, double-hung windows accented with wood shutters.
What are double-hung windows?
Double-Hung windows have two operating sash that move up and down allowing for ventilation on the top, bottom or both. Single-Hung windows allow ventilation through a single operable lower sash. Both offer easy cleaning from inside your home and remain flush with the wall, making them ideal for patios or walkways.
Are Cape Cod-style houses good?
If someone asked you to envision a classic American cottage, the picture of a Cape Cod house surely comes to mind. The charming yet simple homes are so closely tied into our American vision of home—and for good reason. Cape Cods are a manageable size, efficient to heat, and conducive to additions.
Is a Cape Cod 2 stories?
A Cape Cod is a rectangular-shaped two-story home with a symmetrical floor plan and a center entry hallway.
How much does it cost to Dormer a Cape Cod house?
Cost to Dormer a Cape Cod
You’ll usually pay between $110 and $150 per square foot to add dormers to a Cape Cod-style house. You’ll pay less if you opt for a hipped or shed, but most people prefer gable dormers for this type of home.
Do houses look better without shutters?
Absolutely not, and many, many houses would look much better without shutters, rather than with “today’s” shutters. What do we mean by that? For starters, many shutters today serve no purpose, other than to add an accent color, and to fill in space around windows.
Do you put shutters on dormers?
Contrary to popular belief, not every window needs shutters.Shutters should be avoided on double-mulled windows, picture windows, bay windows, and most dormer windows.
Why are Cape Cod houses so popular?
‘The Cape Cod house endures because it is simple, inexpensive to build, directly responsive to its harsh New England environment,’ he explains. ‘It’s also flexible in how it can be configured and beautiful for all of those reasons.
What is a 1.5 story house called?
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.
Where did the Cape Cod style house originated?
England
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.
What is a Cape Cod basement?
Basements. Many of the antique homes on the Cape have what we affectionately refer to as a “Cape Cod” basement. It is a circular pit lined with stone or, more commonly, brick. At any given time it will fit your water heater, your boiler, your electrical panel, and if you don’t weigh very much, you.
How do you cool a Cape Cod house?
If you have a Cape Cod home, you’re probably better off putting the fan on the “on” setting, especially on the hottest days of the year. This will ensure the air stays evenly mixed in your home, instead of allowing the hot air to accumulate in the upstairs while the cooler air sinks downstairs.
What are Cape Cod colors?
Capes built in the 20th century are often conservative in style and decoration. Classic body colors are grey, blue-grey, brown, buff, and white. Trim is almost universally light or white.
How do you modernize a Cape Cod home?
But if you’ve got your hands on a Cape that needs some TLC, here’s how to update it without losing that classic Cape character.
- Set a budget.
- Plan for the future.
- Look for a large foundation.
- Skip the living room.
- Consider a mudroom or porch.
- Open the kitchen.
- Switch the doors.
How do I know if my window is single or double hung?
The easiest way to tell if you have a single-hung window is to look below the top sash on the exterior of the window. Double-hung windows will have a small space between the sash and the jamb allowing it to slide up and down. Sometimes that space is caulked or painted over making it difficult to see though.
