Cape Cod House Plans

The Cape Cod style house emerged in 17^th Century New England as pilgrims created this design to provide protection from the harsh stormy climate on the East Coast. They used indigenous materials in the construction of the homes, including cedar shingles. Small panes of glass were brought over from England by ship and combined with large, symmetrical windows, and chimneys which are an essential element of the design to provide heat throughout the house.

A traditional Cape Cod house features a simple, broad-framed building, pitched roof with end gables and minimal exterior details. Unpainted cedar shingles, which turn gray from exposure to the elements, characterize the exterior of the building and symmetrical windows are typically flanked on each side by shutters. The interior floor plan is open with generous space and garages are usually detached from the dwelling.

Today, Cape Cod house plans stand the test of time as a popular style because of their simplicity in design and open floor plan, making them ideal homes for families. Traditional Cape Cod homes are characterized by main living quarters on the first level, along with the master bedroom, and two smaller bedrooms upstairs. This configuration of bedrooms makes the Cape Cod house plan an ideal space for families with children playing and sleeping upstairs while parents entertain on the main level. It’s also a great aging-in-place option for empty nesters with the master suite on the first floor.

Many of the Cape Cod house plans incorporate an attached garage or carport into the design, along with front porches and upper decks or balconies to enjoy the outdoors.