Cape Cod Style House
Era: 1600s New England; revival 1930s–1950s
The Cape Cod style house was designed for harsh New England winters: a compact one-and-a-half story box with a steep side-gabled roof to shed snow, a central chimney for heat, and very little ornament. The revival of the 1930s to 1950s turned it into one of America’s most popular starter homes.
Its charm is its simplicity — a centered door, windows on either side, cedar shingles or clapboard, and dormers that bring light into the upstairs rooms. Modern Capes add larger dormers, a front porch or a rear extension while keeping the cozy proportions.
Key features of a cape cod style house
Steep side-gabled roof
With little or no overhang at the eaves.
One-and-a-half stories
Upstairs rooms tucked under the roof.
Dormers
Gabled or shed dormers that light the upper floor.
Symmetrical front
Centered door with matching windows either side.
Shingle or clapboard
Often weathered cedar shingles, with shutters.
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Restyle my house freeCommon questions
What is a Cape Cod style house?
A one-and-a-half story house with a steep side-gabled roof, central chimney, symmetrical front, dormers and simple shingle or clapboard siding.
Cape Cod vs colonial — what is the difference?
Both are symmetrical, but a Cape Cod is one-and-a-half stories under a steep roof, while a colonial has two full stories.
How do I add space to a Cape Cod?
Larger shed dormers, a rear addition or a garage wing add space while keeping the street view intact.