Cape Style houses came from England. Who would have ever thought?
English colonists, who came to the States in the late 1600’s brought the cape style home with them. Their original designs were adapted to the local climate, family size and natural materials and have become this great 1 to 1.5 story home.
Capes are known for their steep roofs with overhangs, square or rectangular shape with door in the center and dormers in the upper story. They also typically will have at least one bedroom on the first floor and a central chimney. Although they are often without outside ornamentation, shutters and wide clapboards or weathered shingles give them their distinctive style.
Here’s an example of a cape style home floor plan layout for a house with two front and one rear dormer, creates light and headroom:
Many of these homes were built in the early 1900’s. They were popular because they could be built cheaply for young families and added-on, or upstairs finished as the family grew. The garages, if any, were usually detached from the original home, set on the rear of the lot, and as the family grew the house was extended to reach the garage.
Here’s a layout for one that has extensions on both sides of the first floor. They can be really pretty from the front.
Cape style house is the one kind that is plentiful throughout all of New England. Because of their small size and charm they make some of the best “starter homes” for young families. Big ones are rare, but big or small they are a great investment and comfortable space for your lifestyle and easy to sell later.
If you like this you’ll like Mike Hunter, the House Hunter as your Realtor even better. He knows the Sudbury market and has represented many happy Sudbury households to buy or sell for years. Please feel free to forward his profile to others you feel would benefit from his services.
Call Mike 978-580-1069 today.
For a full list of architectural styles click here.
People also ask about other House Styles of New England click here
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