New England Architecture 101 – The Cape Cod House and Saltbox Cape

The Cape Cod House

Early Colonial homes may have been designed simple and solid to withstand harsh New England winters, but our fondness for the classic 1½-story Cape Cod variant—with its steep roof, center chimney, and symmetrical five-bay facade—has endured hand in hand with the white picket fence. Similarly of its time is the slant-roofed “saltbox,” a Cape home expanded in the back to increase living or storage space.

Learn more about the timeless allure of the Cape Cod style in the feature story by Bruce Irving, originally published as “Built to Last” in the May/June 2023 issue of Yankee.

Time Period: Originally 1690–1850, but with a big 20th-century revival

Defining Characteristics: Small, modest, and undeniably homey

Famous Example: It’s hard to find a more perfect historic Cape than the 1672 Vincent House and Gardens on Martha’s Vineyard. Now a museum, it’s the oldest surviving residence on the island.

Where to Find Cape Cod Homes: Anywhere and everywhere throughout New England

How to Spot a Cape Cod House

Chimney: In the early days, a large center chimney was almost a requirement.

Roof: A low roofline helped conserve heat, and a steep roof made it easier to shed snow.

Door: A central door, topped with a simple transom, and flanked by two windows on each side.

How to Spot a Saltbox House

Rear: Adding square footage to the back of an existing two-story home, the long sloping roofline resembled period wooden salt containers, hence the name.

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Bruce Irving

Bruce Irving is a home renovation consultant, real estate agent, and author with nearly 35 years’ experience with houses, including 17 as producer of the television series This Old House and its sister shows, where he earned an Emmy and learned the hallmarks of quality design and construction. Bruce writes about architecture and design for several publications and is the author of New England Icons, a book about the region’s built environment.

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