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Front door styles for cape cod homes


Cape Cod Style Doors | The Cape Cod Style House & History

A Cape Cod cottage is a housing style that first originated in New England back in the 17th century. This type of housing style is usually identified with the broad frame building, steep pitched roofs with end gables, larger chimneys as well as very little use of ornaments. Traditional Cape Cod styled houses are quite simple, consisting of symmetrically designed central front doors, which are encompassed by a couple of multi- paned windows on either side.  The houses were designed to withstand the stormy weather of the coast of Massachusetts, and most designs still draw from their colonial counterparts.

History

The history of the Cape Cod house style began with the colonists, who settled in to New England. They used the original English house as a model, and adapted it with the local materials to protect against the stormy weather of New England. With time, changes began to take shape. Timothy Dwight, the president of Yale university from 1795-1817, initially came up with the term ‘Cape cod House’ after he visited the Cape in 1800.

At the time, Colonial era Capes were quite common in Atlantic Canada and the Northeastern United States. The houses were constructed out of wood, and most were quite small (1000-2000 sq. ft.). At the time, the windows were generally quite odd in the gable ends, with nine or six panes being quite commonly used. Generally, the rooms all consisted of hardwood floors.

This type of style has a symmetrical appearance, along with a large, centrally placed chimney for a fireplace in every room. Also, there’s a master bedroom situated on the first floor, while an unfinished loft exists on the second floor quite commonly. In the early periods, there was little to no ornamentation that was used.

Philosophy

Usually, Cape Cod houses are quite short and stout, and quite simple as well. However, they still evoke strong feelings of safety, warmth, integrity and comfort. There are basically two types of Cape Cod styles; the originals that used to be constructed from 1690 up till 1850, as well as the Colonial Revival Capes, which became prevalent during the 20th century. The originals are shingled, and are placed in a way that gives them lots of natural lighting. Revival houses however, bring out feelings of nostalgia; with their white picket fences, as well as clapboarded, white floor plans.

Key features:


Cape Cod Colonial

This type of house is symmetrical, and quite small with an entrance that is located in the center. The roof is covered with shingles, and is a steep gable. The authentic ones have low central chimneys, while the new versions commonly include end chimneys. The bedrooms are on the first floor. A traditional vine- covered picket fence is also present. Based on tradition, the exterior walls were white clapboard, or brick, but the modern versions are made out of a number of different materials.

Full Cape (or Double Cape)

The quintessential Cape Cod house was actually quite rare in the 18th century. The ones that were present usually belonged to the richest settlers. They had steep pitched roofs, and symmetrical five bay facades with a vast entrance and a huge chimney.

 

Three-Quarter Cape

While this design wasn’t copied when the Cape Cod revival took place, the three quarter Cape was actually quite common in the 18th and early 19th century of New England. The only difference was that the entry had been slightly offset from the chimney.

One-Half Cape (or Single Cape)

The most common house during that period, the half Cape has gone through a number of different changes over the passage of time. However, there are a number of original examples that still stand throughout New England.

CAPE COD WINDOW STYLES

CAPE COD DOOR STYLES

4 Characteristics of Cape Cod Homes

Cape Cod House Guide: 4 Characteristics of Cape Cod Homes

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Posted by Bob and Ronna Chew on Friday, February 25, 2022 at 11:28 AM By Bob and Ronna Chew / February 25, 2022 Comment

This home style has been around for hundreds of years, and Cape Cod-style homes are one of the most recognizable types of houses in America. These homes have a universal appeal, and variations in the style can range from idyllic cottages to sleek and modern masterpieces. Keep reading for a closer look at the "Cape Cod" if you're thinking of purchasing one of these American classics.

Table of Contents

Variants of the Cape Cod Style

The variants of the Cape Cod style are quarter-, half-, three-quarter, and full Cape Cods. Tiny quarter-Cape Cods are extremely rare. The front facade consists of the front door and one bay window. A half-Cape has the front door situated on one side of the house, with two bay windows on the other side.

The three-quarter Cape consists of a front door with one bay window to one side and two bay windows situated on the other side of the home. The full Cape will have a centralized front door and two equidistant bay windows on each side of the door.

What Influenced the Cape Cod Style?

Puritan settlers first brought the Cape Cod style to America from England. There are actually two styles of Cape Cod homes. The original Cape Cods were built between 1690 and 1850. These originals were usually half- or three-quarter Cape Cods. The interior centered around the kitchen, which was warmed by the cooking hearth. The original Cape Cods were also strategically built so that the windows would take advantage of the sun for light and heat. Shingle-clad roofs were another feature of the original Cape Cods.

The second style is the Colonial Revival Cape Cod, which became extremely popular in the 20th century. The Revival-style houses were full-sized Cape Cods and had window shutters, clapboard roofs, and more open floor plans. The standard Revival was usually painted white.

Cape Cod houses had been built throughout New England and Long Island by 1740. By 1830, these homes were being built as far away as the Ohio Valley and Michigan. As Cape Cods spread across the country, regional variants started to appear, such as gambrel and bowed roofs for more headroom and dormers for more light in the loft space. Greek Revival touches were added to the homes in the early 19th century.

Exterior Features of a Cape Cod Home

Cape Cod is a traditional American architecture style, and one of the first exterior features everyone notices about these homes is the perfectly symmetrical facade. The front door to the home is centered, and multi-paned, double-hung windows are spaced equidistantly on opposite sides of the home. The rectangular shape and smooth, geometric lines make the whole package visually appealing. The windows are accented with decorative shutters, and there are usually matching sidelights bordering the front door.

The steep gabled roof on Cape Cod homes is not just visually appealing; it had a very practical use in New England. Snow and ice removal during the winter months is easier due to the slope of the roof. Dormers—the paired windows that protrude from the roof—are another distinctive feature. In addition, a big, centralized chimney was a major feature of the original Cape Cods. The homes would have several fireplaces, which all fed into a single chimney. This allowed the entire home to be heated during the cold New England winters.

The roof and sides of Cape Cod homes are typically covered with clapboards or cedar shake shingles. These are a low-maintenance alternative to modern home siding and protect the house from harsh weather. The cozy size of a Cape Cod-style home allowed people to purchase one affordably and expand onto the home later.

Interior Features of a Cape Cod Home

The interior of most Cape Cod homes is just as streamlined and symmetrical as the exterior. The centralized front door usually opens into a hallway that leads to the grand room (living room), and French doors in the rear of the house lead to the patio. The fireplace in the grand room is the centralized hub of the home. The hallway from the front door splits the home into two equal, symmetrical sections. The grand room will be near the front of the Cape Cod-style house, with the kitchen toward the rear. The floor plans are usually square or rectangular in shape, with the grand room, kitchen, dining room, and bathroom on the ground floor. Wainscoting is typically applied to the interior walls to prevent moisture and humidity buildup during the summer months. A traditional Cape Cod home also tends to have low ceilings, although more modern variations now have higher ceilings. When decorating a Cape Cod-style home, homeowners often lean into the simple, rustic-feeling, and coastal atmosphere these homes tend to lend themselves to.

The Cape Cod Style is an American Classic

Cape Cod-style homes are not going away anytime soon. There's something about the idyllic appearance of the homes that offers universal appeal for prospective homeowners. A country cottage with a white picket fence gives the sense of pastoral living, even in an urban setting. The "Cape Cod" is truly an American classic, and this popular style of house will be around for many years to come. Be sure to check out neighborhoods with Cape Cod-style homes if this style has caught your eye as a potential new home.

Annapolis Cape Cod Home Resources

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American Cape Cod Home Interior: Warm Eclecticism and Cosiness

After numerous trips to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, a couple from California approached interior designer Phil Norman to recreate the mood inherent in the residential buildings of those places, in their own home. "No problem," Norman told them without batting an eyelid. And what if they all live almost five thousand kilometers from the Atlantic coast, in Southern California?

According to the designer, the idea was not at all as crazy as it might seem at first glance. The home of his clients is located in Palos Verdes Estates, a town located on the Pacific coast, west of Los Angeles, so the atmosphere and lifestyle there are generally similar to those in Massachusetts. Norman quite easily decided on the aesthetic component of the future project. Both natural wood and stucco are very popular in California, and at the same time, they can be found in any traditional Cape Cod home.

The key to ensuring the elegance and freshness of the interior, according to the designer, was the desire to avoid an obvious seaside entourage (provoked by the presence of shells, for example), and to create an entourage subconscious, emotional. This was helped by the inclusion of unpretentious antiques and reclaimed wood elements that could fill the space of the house with a sense of near antiquity and rich history.

Object parameters

Owners : Married couple with two children
Location : Palos Verdes Estates, California
Dimensions : Approximately 380 sq. meters (four bedrooms, three bathrooms)

Clients wanted more historical references to Cape Cod, so Norman decided to include flooring and ceiling beams made from reclaimed wood brought in from Connecticut specifically for the project.

One owner leaned towards warm Ralph Lauren-inspired looks, but with a hint of Tommy Hilfiger's casual style. To meet this desire, the designer chose white and blue as the main decor shades, but made them side by side with rough wood, vintage brick and raffia wallpaper. Wide stripes on the carpet and stucco stars on the fireplace portal are a tribute to the patriotism of the owners. There are also antique clocks from Sweden and old maps hanging on chains, which emphasize the historical character of the interior.

The kitchen not only looks amazing, it is incredibly functional and comfortable, which is very important for the hostess of the house, who calls herself “an avid cook”. Countertops are made of polished black granite. The only exception is the wine rack adjacent to the side of the island. It is crowned with a massive slab of Carrara marble, very convenient for rolling out dough. Its pattern echoes the decor of the tile, which is lined with part of the wall above the slab.

Small ventilation windows are located directly above wall cabinets with glazed doors. They contribute to providing daylight to the space, while pendant lights from Restoration Hardware provide artificial light. The range hood and fridge are carefully disguised so as not to disturb the harmony of this vintage space.

Initially, the owners wanted three stools near the island, but Norman convinced them to opt for just two, but very comfortable chairs.

Only the dining room is in the same space as the kitchen. 19th century Windsor chairs surround a dining table dating back to the turn of the last century. The custom bench in the background is brand new, as is the Visual Comfort chandelier.

Informality reigns in this small living room. The coffee table has a spacious storage shelf and a soft surface on which to rest your feet. Some of the accessories were purchased on Cape Cod through online stores.

Playroom can be used as an extra bedroom. When there are guests in the house, the table and chairs are pushed aside, and the front panel of the closet, which is actually a raised bed, drops down.

The dressing room is decorated with alder paneling and paisley wallpaper. The owners themselves purchased the old porthole in one of the antique shops. To match it, Norman installed a wrought-iron copper sink and bar doors, paying respect to the male half of the family.

Wind rose inlay brings a nautical mood to the interior of the entrance area.

It took at least six hours to complete the mini-gallery decorating the landing. There are photographs from different periods, a showcase with memorabilia (the so-called shadow box) and even a few souvenirs.

Norman tried to make the interior of the bedroom airy and bright, for which he painted its walls in pale blue, and then complemented it with a mix of different fabrics and patterns to add ease. The focal elements of this space are a bedspread with floral ornaments and antique lanterns.

A series of reclaimed timber trusses visually reduces the height of the vaulted ceiling, making the interior more inviting.

This bathroom is more like a spa than a beach house. It's all about marble floors and an exquisite chandelier from Currey & Company. The circular motif carved on the facade of the bath is repeated many times in different parts of the house.

A weather vane in the form of a whale crowns the roof of the house. Oval-shaped skylights, a stone chimney and rectangular bay windows create a nostalgic exterior. The retro-style covered veranda is perfect for spending evenings enjoying the refreshing breeze, no matter which ocean it blows from.

Can you imagine a better interpretation of the Cape Cod style? Created by Phil Norman, the design is completely unobtrusive, elegant and natural. The thing is that every element of this interior carries a piece of history, even if it was made specifically for this project.

Turnkey Style Country Homes · Lucky Home Company Blog

By Jackie Craven, Updated December 1, 2018

The Cape Cod Turnkey Country Home is one of the New World's most recognizable and beloved architectural designs. When the British colonists set off for the "New World", they brought with them a practical style of housing that lasted for centuries. In the modern day, Cape Cod houses you see in almost every part of North America are modeled after the enduring architecture of Colonial New England.

The style is simple - some might call it primitive with a rectangular buttress and a gable pitched roof. You rarely see a porch or decorative pieces in a traditional Cape Cod home. These houses were designed with ease of construction and efficient heating in mind. The low ceilings and central chimney kept the rooms comfortable during the cold winters in the northern colonies. The steep roof helped the mountains of snow to slide off. The rectangular design makes superstructures and extensions an easy task for growing families.

Quick Facts: Characteristics of the Colonial Cape Style

Pillar and Beam, Rectangular Support

One Story with an Additional Half Story Under Roof

Side Gable Roof, Quite Steep

Central Chimney

Exterior Trim of Biting Tiles or Clapboard

Central front door, two double windows on each side

Some decorations

History

The first Cape Cod houses were built by Puritan colonists who came to America in the late 17th century. They modeled their houses after the half-timbered houses of the English homeland, but adapted the style to the inclement weather of New England. A few generations later, a modest one-and-a-half-story house with wooden shutters arose. The Rev. Timothy Dwight, president of Yale University in Connecticut, recognized these houses while traveling along the coast of Massachusetts, where Cape Cod juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. In an 1800 book describing his travels, Dwight is credited with coining the term "Cape Cod" to describe this prolific class or type of colonial architecture.

Traditional houses of the colonial era are easily recognizable - rectangular shape; moderately steep roof slope with side gables and a narrow roof overhang; one floor of living space with half a floor of storage under the roof. Initially, they were all built of wood and sheathed with wide sheathing or tiles. The façade had an entrance door located in the center or, in some cases, on the side - multi-layered, hinged windows with shutters, symmetrically surrounding the entrance door. The exterior walls were initially left unpainted, but later white with black shutters became standard. The houses of the first Puritans had no external decoration.

The rectangular interior could be divided or not, with a large central chimney connected to a fireplace in each room. Undoubtedly, the first houses had one room, then two rooms - the main bedroom and living room. After all, the floor plan of the four rooms may have had a central hall with an annex to the kitchen at the back, separated for fire safety. Of course, in the Cape Cod house, hardwood floors replaced the original dirt floors, and the interior had to be painted white for cleanliness.

20th Century Adaptations

Much later, in the late 1800s and early 1900s, renewed interest in America's past inspired many colonial revival styles. Colonial Revival style homes on Cape Cod became especially popular in the 1930s and beyond.

Developers and architects anticipated a building boom after World War II. Patterns and catalogs flourished, and competitions were held in the publications to design practical and affordable dwellings that the growing American middle class could buy.

The most successful Cape Cod marketer is Royal architect Barry Wills, a marine engineer with a degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). "While Wills' drawings do breathe feeling, charm, and even sentimentality, their dominant characteristics are restraint, modesty in scale, and traditional proportions," writes art historian David Gebhard. Their small size and scale exuded "puritan simplicity" on the outside and "tightly organized spaces" on the inside, a combination that Gebhard compares to the interior of a sea vessel.

Wills has won many competitions with his practical home plans. In 1938, a Midwestern family chose the Wills design as more functional and affordable than the competing design of famed Frank Lloyd Wright. Homes for the Good Life in 1940 and Better Homes for Parrots in 1941 were two of Wills' most popular books, written for all the dreaming men and women waiting for the end of World War II. With floor plans, sketches, and "architect's handbook savings dollars," Wills reached out to a generation of dreamers, knowing that the US government was ready to support that dream with GI Bill benefits.

Inexpensive and mass-produced, these 1,000-square-foot homes filled the needs of soldiers returning from the war. In New York City's iconic Levittown apartment complex, factories turned out up to 30 four-bedroom Cape Cod homes in a single day. House plans on Cape Cod were marketed heavily in the 1940s and 1950s.

Twentieth century Cape Cod houses share many features with their colonial ancestors, but there are key differences. A modern house usually has finished rooms on the second floor with large skylights to expand the living space. With the addition of central heating, the 20th-century Cape Cod chimney is often more conveniently placed on the side of the house rather than in the center. Blinds in modern Cape Cod homes are strictly decorative (they cannot be closed during a storm), and double or casement windows are often single, possibly with artificial bars.

As the 20th century industry produced more building materials, exterior finishes changed over time, from traditional wood shingles to clapboard, board and batten, cement shingles, brick or stone, and aluminum or vinyl siding. The most modern fixture for the 20th century would be a front-facing garage to let neighbors know you have a car. Additional rooms attached to the sides or backs created what some people have called "minimal traditional", a very rare combination of Cape Cod and Ranch style houses.

Cape Cod Bungalow Cottage

Cape Cod's contemporary architecture is often combined with other styles. It's not unusual to find hybrid homes that combine Cape Cod features with Tudor cottage, ranch styles, arts and crafts, or craftsman's bungalows. "Bungalow" is a small house, but it is often used to create arts and crafts. "Cottage" is more often used to enhance the style of the house described here. The Dictionary of Architecture and Building defines a Cape Cod cottage as "a rectangular frame house with low, one-story eaves, a gabled roof, a large central chimney, and an entry door located on one of the long sides, a style often used to build small houses in the New England colonies in the 18th century" .

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