What is a “Cape Cod”?

drawing of a Cape Cod style home
Some of the first houses built in the United States were Cape Cods. The original colonial Cape Cod homes were shingle-sided, one-story cottages with no dormers. During the mid-20th century, the small, uncomplicated Cape Cod shape became popular in suburban developments. A 20th-century Cape Cod is square or rectangular with one or one-and-a-half stories and steeply pitched, gabled roofs. It may have dormers and shutters. The siding is usually clapboard or brick.
Here's a Cape Cod made of stone.
There are many neighborhoods filled with Cape Cods in Northern Virginia. Often these homes were built just after WW2 for soldiers returning from the war, but many were built as late as 1960 and some continue to be built today.  If you'd like to see a neighborhood of mature Cape Cods, many with additions, you might want to explore Bucknell Manor.   For more information or to set up an appointment call Nesbitt Realty at (703)765-0300.