What Does A Cape Cod Style Of House Mean?

Cape Cod houses are a low, broad, single or double-story frame building with a moderately-steep-pitched gabled roof, a large central chimney, and very little ornamentation. Originating in New England in the 17th century, Cape Cod architecture is characterized by its simple symmetrical design, constructed of local materials to withstand the stormy weather of Cape Cod. These homes are often imagined as the classic American beach house and feature wide, rectangular designs with pitched roofs and dorm windows.

The Cape Cod style is a popular and easily recognizable architectural style, named after the Massachusetts coastal region where it is the signature style. Cape Cod homes are manageable sizes, efficient to heat, and conducive to additions. The simple, highly functional design was later coined a “Cape Cod House” in 1800 by Yale University President Reverend Timothy Dwight IV.

The Cape Cod home is a colonial adaptation of a very simple European post-and-beam home, originally identical to their Old World cousins. The style has deep roots in New England and England itself, as colonial settlers brought their proclivities to the region. Cape Cod homes are known for their breezy, beachy feel, even in suburban towns.

In summary, Cape Cod houses are a popular and easily recognizable architectural style that originated in New England in the 17th century. They are known for their simple, symmetrical design, large central chimney, and pitched, side-gabled roofs.

What makes Cape Cod so special?

Cape Cod, a picturesque Massachusetts peninsula, is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, vast coastline, and world-class creative and recreational opportunities. Despite its reputation, Cape Cod is more than just a vacation destination; it offers top-notch healthcare, quality education, vibrant communities, and a strong entrepreneurial spirit. The region has been recognized as one of the happiest places to live in the country and has been named one of the top spots to retire.

Young families benefit from an excellent education system, tight-knit communities, low crime rates, and numerous opportunities for children to stay active. Entrepreneurs and young professionals benefit from the region’s high number of sole proprietors and resources to support small businesses. The Cape has also been a mecca for artists, drawing inspiration from the region’s picturesque beauty and laid-back lifestyle.

Why is Cape Cod so special?

Cape Cod, a picturesque Massachusetts peninsula, is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, vast coastline, and world-class creative and recreational opportunities. Despite its reputation, Cape Cod is more than just a vacation destination; it offers top-notch healthcare, quality education, vibrant communities, and a strong entrepreneurial spirit. The region has been recognized as one of the happiest places to live in the country and has been named one of the top spots to retire.

Young families benefit from an excellent education system, tight-knit communities, low crime rates, and numerous opportunities for children to stay active. Entrepreneurs and young professionals benefit from the region’s high number of sole proprietors and resources to support small businesses. The Cape has also been a mecca for artists, drawing inspiration from the region’s picturesque beauty and laid-back lifestyle.

What is the difference between a colonial and a Cape Cod-style house?

Colonial homes are rectangular with a central front door, similar to Cape Cods, but larger, usually two stories tall, and symmetrical with a grander entryway and central staircase. They have small, equally sized windows. Between the 19th and 20th centuries, Colonial Revival style was adapted, featuring grand entryways, cornices, white clapboard, and shutters on windows. Colonial homes can be categorized into French, Spanish, or Dutch, each influenced by the country where they originated.

Why do they call Cape Cod Cape Cod?

Cape Cod, named by English explorer Bartholomew Gosnold in 1602, was actually a peninsula connected to Massachusetts. The European Pilgrims first landed in present-day Provincetown, not Plymouth Harbor. Vikings, including Leif Eriksson and Thorvald, visited Cape Cod around 1000 A. D. Martha’s Vineyard was named Claudia by Giovanni da Verrazzano in 1524. In 1524, Portuguese explorer Estevao Gomes landed on Cape Cod’s shores, dubbing it Cabo de la Arenas.

The Cape Cod Canal in 1916 officially made Cape Cod an island. The peninsula was initially home to the Wampanoag Indians, who lost the land through English settlers’ purchase and expansion. Cape Cod offers a rich heritage, warm weather, excellent food, and variety of activities, making it an ideal vacation destination.

What are the disadvantages of a Cape Cod style house?

Cape style homes are known for their cozy, simple, and authentic design, but they often struggle with proper temperature insulation. Capes, popular near the sea, endure cool breezes year-round but struggle to keep the house warm. The upper level of a Cape is often colder than the rest due to the knee wall structure, which allows air to leak out. This issue is attributed to the fact that most Capes were built between the 1920s-1950s, during the cut-rate oil era, when heating costs were low. As a result, insulation was not a priority, and it was often overlooked in the design of Cape homes.

Is Cape Cod Republican?

Cape Cod, a popular retirement area in Barnstable County, has a high average age of 31. 8 residents, making it the highest-ageing area in New England. The majority Democrat party in Cape Cod is smaller than in the rest of Massachusetts. The area is primarily glacial terminal moraine, representing the southernmost extent of glacial coverage in southeast New England. The name “Cape Cod” was first used in 1602, initially referring only to the peninsula’s tip.

Over time, it became the name for all land east of the Manomet and Scusset rivers, along the line that became the Cape Cod Canal. Most agencies, including the Cape Cod Commission and FEMA, treat the Cape as an island for disaster preparedness and groundwater management. Cape Codders often refer to the land on the mainland side of the canal as “off-Cape”, but the legal delineation of Cape Cod includes portions of the towns of Bourne and Sandwich located north of the canal.

What are the advantages of a Cape Cod house?

Cape Cod homes are known for their resilience in harsh weather conditions, with steep roofs and sturdy structures designed to withstand strong winds and heavy snow. These homes are particularly popular in areas like Asheville, where varying weather patterns are considered. The central chimney in Cape Cod homes is strategically placed to distribute heat evenly, reducing reliance on modern heating systems.

The versatility of Cape Cod home styles, including the quaint half Cape, spacious three-quarter Cape, and modernized Revival Cape, allows homeowners to choose a layout that best fits their lifestyle when building a house from scratch.

What is an advantage of a Cape Cod home design?

Cape Cod homes were designed to withstand long, cold winters with steep roofs, low ceilings, and shutters to conserve heat and block wind. Originating in the 17th century, Puritan colonists introduced the cottage-like design to America, which became the Cape Cod house style. The name “Cape Cod” was given in the 1800s by Reverend Timothy Dwight IV after visiting the Cape Cod area. Cape Cod homes are recognizable by their charming curb appeal and share key commonalities, such as steep roofs, low ceilings, and shutters. Although there are various types of Cape Cod homes available, they all share a common design feature.

Why is it called a Cape Cod house?

The term “Cape Cod house” was coined by Reverend Timothy Dwight IV, president of Yale University, after a visit to the Cape in 1800. The type was popularized in a more elaborate Colonial Revival variant in the 1930s-1950s, but traditional unornamented Capes remain common in New England. Colonial-era Capes were most prevalent in the Northeastern United States and Atlantic Canada, made of wood and covered in wide clapboard or shingles. Most houses were small, usually 1, 000-2, 000 square feet, and often had windows of different sizes, with nine and six panes being the most common.

What makes a house Cape Cod-style?

Cape Cod style homes are single-story structures with a low and broad rectangular profile, a central chimney, and a pitched, side-gabled roof. These homes have an enduring history and are part of the aesthetic, making them a popular choice for buyers and decorators. The defining features of Cape Cod style architecture include 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, while maintaining other primary features. Understanding the origins, defining features, and common questions about Cape Cod style architecture can be helpful when looking to buy or decorate a house.