A Cape Cod house is a low, broad, single-story frame building with a moderately steep pitched gabled roof, a large central chimney, and very little ornamentation.

Are Cape Cods good houses?

If someone asked you to envision a classic American cottage, the picture of a Cape Cod house surely comes to mind. The charming yet simple homes are so closely tied into our American vision of home—and for good reason. Cape Cods are a manageable size, efficient to heat, and conducive to additions.

Why is it called a Cape Cod house?

The term “Cape Cod house” wasn't given to these cottages until the 1800s. The Reverend Timothy Dwight IV, President of Yale University, named them after a visit to Cape Cod. ... His work saw another boom after World War II, when the Cape's simplistic layout made it a good fit to house returning soldiers.