The cozy-looking Cape Cod is beloved by many Americans. Like other Colonial Revival styles, it has a rectangular footprint, but a steeper gabled roof. Plainer in ornamentation that than many other Colonial styles, the Cape Cod was ideally suited to young couples starting out and summer homes. They found favor across the country for their affordability, especially during the Depression years from 1930 to 1940. With this traditional form, it was possible to build a “half” Cod, building the bottom floor first and then finishing the second story as funds became available.
The main floor serves as the living area with living room, dining room, and kitchen. A single bedroom is often found on the main floor with additional bedrooms on the second.
General Characteristics
Colonial Revival Cape Cod houses have many of these features:
- Symmetrical appearance with front entry centered
- Steep roof with side gables
- Small roof overhang
- 1 or 1½ stories
- Wood frame with lap, shake, or shingle siding
- Chimney located at gable end of house
- Gabled dormers
- Multi-paned, double-hung windows
- Shutters
- Simple exterior ornamentation
