Dormered Cape Home Design and Construction

A dormered cape home is a unique and charming style of architecture that's perfect for homeowners who want a cozy and inviting living space.

Dormers are a defining feature of this style, and they can be either gabled or shed-style, with the latter being more common in dormered cape homes.

The dormers can be placed on any side of the house, but they're often found on the front or back of the home.

These windows can be small or large, but they're always a key element in adding natural light and ventilation to the home.

The dormers can be designed to match the style of the rest of the home, or they can be a bold contrast, adding visual interest to the exterior of the house.

A dormered cape home typically has a symmetrical or slightly asymmetrical layout, with two or three bedrooms and one or two bathrooms.

The roof pitch of a dormered cape home is typically moderate, with a pitch of around 4:12 to 6:12.

This style of home is often associated with a cozy, rustic feel, but it can be designed to fit a variety of architectural styles and tastes.

A unique perspective: Dormered

Reviving a Cape's original features is a great way to update the home without doing a full remodel. Look to play up features like preserving the brick or stone central chimney, maintaining original architectural details, and keeping the original hardwood floors.

Original hardwood floors can be refinished to restore their luster. Consider refinishing them if they're in good condition.

Classic materials like subway tiles, farmhouse sinks, or shaker-style cabinets can fit beautifully in an older Cape. These materials can add a touch of modernity while maintaining the home's charm.

A warm, wooden vanity with a granite top is a perfect fit for a vintage aesthetic. Shaker-style is an option here too.

To create proper living spaces, ceiling heights may need to be increased across the back of the home. This can reclaim previously unusable square footage.

Large windows can make the upper level a bright and welcoming place to be. This is an asset to both the existing and proposed plans.

If you're looking to add usable living space to your Cape Cod home, consider adding a dormer addition. This can enhance curb appeal and provide increased living space.

A dormer spanning the entire length of the home can make previously unusable square footage into spacious bedroom suites. Elevated ceiling heights can make a big difference in the functionality of the space.

Here are some tips for reviving a Cape's original features:

Dormer styles can greatly impact the look and feel of your home, and there are several options to choose from. A shed dormer, for example, has a flat roof with a downward slope, making it easy to span across two or more windows.

The Nantucket dormer is a variation of the shed dormer, with gabled windows flanking a shed dormer, giving the whole package a more interesting and varied look. This style is common on the front of Cape-style houses, and it's a great way to add space and light to the half-story.

The Extended Shed Dormer is perhaps the most popular type of shed dormer, extending nearly the full width of the house and often used in the back of the house. This type of dormer extends the interior space without adding to the footprint of the home.

Gable and shed dormers are the most popular for Cape Cod style homes, and it's most likely that your contractor will suggest that you keep the dormer roof aligned with your home's roof for the best aesthetics. This can help break up the monotony of your roofline and add visual interest to your home.

Dormers can be designed to match your home's existing windows or make a statement with fancier windows, such as colored glass or non-traditional shapes.

If this caught your attention, see: Cape Style Home Renovation Ideas

A total upper level remodel with a dormer addition like this one takes careful planning and execution to ensure a smooth process.

Project construction will take approximately 16 weeks to complete, so it's essential to have a clear plan in place.

The remodel will be done on a 1.5 story Cape Cod home built in 1946, which means we'll need to consider the home's original architecture and layout when making design decisions.

Through-the-cornice dormers are a modern take on traditional gable dormers.

These dormers are built through the cornice or roof's edge, making them a more complicated but elegant design.

Accounting for snow loads, constructing roof dormers is pretty straightforward in both original design and renovations.

A more modern and sleek option, through-the-cornice dormers are worth considering for your home's design.

For another approach, see: Modern Shed Dormer

A well-planned project can make all the difference in the world. Project Details are crucial in ensuring that your Cape Cod home renovation or addition goes smoothly.

The type of project you're undertaking is key. In our experience, a total upper level remodel with a dormer addition is a great way to expand your living space. This type of project involves adding dormers to your home's existing design, which can enhance its curb appeal and provide increased living space.

The style of your home is also important. If you have a 1.5 story Cape Cod home, you may want to consider adding a shed dormer or a Nantucket dormer to give your home some extra space and light. These types of dormers are great options for Cape additions and renovations today.

Take a look at this: Shed Dormer Addition

Project construction time is also something to consider. In our experience, a project like this can take approximately 16 weeks to complete. This can vary depending on the complexity of the project and the number of contractors involved.

Here are some key project details to consider:

A window dormer can cost around $4000, while a bathroom dormer averages around $23,000 or more, including materials costs.

The cost can quickly climb if you're adding multiple dormers, which can total in the thousands.

Adding dormers may also cause your homeowner's insurance to increase a bit, but it should be less than if you built a full addition.

You'll probably recoup at least some of the cost when you resell, especially if you add a significant amount of space.

You might enjoy: Cost to Add Shed Dormer

Permits are a crucial step in the process of adding a dormer to your home.

In most locations, you'll need to obtain building permits before construction can begin, and the permitting process can be quite time-consuming.

It can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to get the necessary permits, depending on your municipality.

Working with a professional contractor or design-build firm can help speed up the process, but it's still essential to allow plenty of time for permits.

The permitting process is often the most time-consuming part of the project, so be sure to plan ahead and factor it into your timeline.