Readers respond to Mystery House #28
Cape Cod or Bungalow?

The Mystery   |  Reader Responses

From Bobby:

I think it's a Tudor. The steep roof pitch, gables and especially the Tudor arched door suggest it.

I can't tell from the photo, but if your siding is aluminum, vinyl, or asbestos, it may hide a stucco facade beneath - maybe with half timbering, which would cinch the deal. Even if it's brick (is that painted brick?) or shingle, in those days, cottages like yours rarely conformed to exact stylistic norms.

You have a beautiful house. Are you buying or selling the house in the photo?

From Don M.:

I believe this house better fits the bungalow style. The New England Cape style is much different in appearance. True both tend to be one story but the New England Cape has various colonial features and is a much older style than the bungalow. The Cape often has a center front doorway, a large center chimney, a small entrance foyer with doors to the left and right parlors. There may also be a small narrow stairway to a second level loft or bedroom area. Both parlors usually have interior fireplaces connecting to the center chimney and there is usually a large third keeping room in back with a big main fireplace usually with bee hive ovens. The windows are double hung often 9 over 9 and there are often simple pine wainscoting with raised panels on the fireplace walls. The cape may have been enlarged over the years with additions attached to the sides and back of the house.

From Cate:

It looks to me like a GI Cape Cod style, although being built in the 20's is a little early for that style.

From Steve Llanso:

It looks like both and neither. The casement windows and offset front gable are distinctive and unlike either of the styles mentioned. Looks to me like a small converted church or a church-building style adapted as a house. It's attractive, in any event.

And, from another Steve:

There's no reason it can't be both a Cape and a bungalow. Bungalows were built in a huge variety of styles, from Tudor to adobe, so who says it can't be a Cape bungalow? And the date's right. On the other hand, it could've started it's life as a Cape and, through additions, been modified to look more like a bungalow.

From Eric:

I would say bungalow due to the roof style and lack of gabling.

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