Cape Cod (house)

The basic Cape Cod house dating back to 1670 to now included 4 small rooms surrounding the chimney.

[1][2] Cape Cod houses originally had the following features: symmetry, steep roofs, central chimneys, windows at the door, flat design, one to one-and-a-half stories, narrow stairways, and simple exteriors.

Oak and pine were used to construct the posts, beams, and wood flooring, and the fireplaces were made of brick.

The Cape Cod design was inspired by English housing with the box shaped frame and low-hanging silhouette.

The Cape Cod style has been revived because it is very inexpensive to build; therefore, it is easier to add on and configure the house.

The design pulled inspiration from architecture in Britain and was modified to adapt to the winter conditions in the New England area.

In the past, the architectural design of the Cape Cod house was defined by the central placement of the chimney as it provided warmth to all rooms during the cold months.

Finally, colonists installed shutters on the windows to hold back heavy winds and the strong summer sun.

[citation needed] The type has a symmetrical appearance, with the front door in the center of the house and a large central chimney that could often accommodate back-to-back fireplaces.

Inside the front door, a central staircase led to the small upper level, which consisted of two children's bedrooms.

[11] The lower floor consisted of a hall for daily living (including cooking, dining, and gathering) and the parlor, or master bedroom.

[12] Some use a different naming system and call the full-size version a "double Cape", but this is used more often for an extended duplex structure.

"High post", also known as "knee wall", Capes were originally an uncommon variant but became more common into the 19th century, emerging as a feature of Cape-derived vernacular architecture in the Midwest.

[13] Modern full Cape Cod houses are completely symmetrical to resemble the traditional style.