Cape Cod Style



             This type of style began to emerge in the late 17th century in New England, derived from climate, culture amd available materials. Traditionally, the Cape Cod design is one and a half storeys high and just above is a livable attic area. In order to do this a high pitched roof was used to allow space for the dormers and double hung windows. The walls were just a bit higher then door and window openings. In most cases there were many identical dormers that were arranged symmetrically across the front of the roof pitch. Roofs pitched at about 8-in-12 kept the weather out and also creating a usable attic space and small overhangs gave strong coastal winds less purchase to do damage. Shutters were also a common site and served practical purposes. Later, a new full width shed dormer would be developed and introduced across the rear roof.

             To look at the basic floor plan of a typical Cape Cod house you would notice it was generally a formal, centre-hall plan. Heating was often a problem so a main fireplace located in the middle of the house provided equal distribution of heat (other fireplaces fed from other patrs of the home fed into this). Another physical feature that distinguishes the Cape Cod style is the clapboard exterior. the whole idea of overlapping the boards is that winter moisture would cause them to swell and seal themselves aginst the winter winds and weather. This was also beneficial for the summer time becasue the heat and dryness would cause the boards to shrink, allowing cool air to move into and out of the house.

             When Cape Cod style was first making an entrance brick and stone was not readily available but lumber on the other hand was plentiful. The houses were almost entirely made out of wood, including the thick shingles. the windows were made of small panes of glass and had the style of double hung. Fancy detail was not really important because the settlers did not have time to add ornamental trim. Fascia and cornices were used as building materials for there was only a small over hang to the roof. Today, the unique Cape Cod style is still very popular and is considered by many to be the true Colonial home and the only major change is that brick is used in place of clapboard for durability. Below is a picture of the contemporary styling of the typical Cape Cod Colonial home.



            Below is a picture of the rendering of the traditional Cape Ann. Many modern homes are distinguished by features taken from this early structure.



             This last picture is one of the refined version of the traditional Cape Cod as a two story-home.



            Notice shutters on house in the above picture.
Below is a picture of a typical fireplace found in the center of the home.



DEFINITIONS

             Dormers-an opening in a sloping roof, the framing of which projects out to form a vertical wall suitable for windows or other openings.

             Shed Dormers- a full-width dormer with a single roof sloping in one direction.

             Clapboard- a house covering made of overlapping boards.

             Fascia- a vertical board nailed onto the ends of the rafters.

             Shutters-a hinged cover or screen for a window, usually fitted with louvers.

             Double Hung-a window having top and bottom sashes, each capable of movement up and down.

REFERENCES

         Crunden, F. (1991). Design for Residential Construction. Cape Cod. (text, definitions and pictures)

         Kicklighter, C. (1984). Architecture, residential drawing and design. (text,definitions and pictures)

         Lanza, J. (2000). The Cape Cod Style. (February 19, 2001):http://www.taunton.com/fh/features/design/12capecod.htm

Steph Morgan Cory Whelan