New England's answer to harsh winters, Cape Cod house plans blend rugged practicality with a comfortable interior layout.

The timber-frame construction is often clad in clapboard siding or unpainted wood shingles that weather to gray. The Cape Cod house plan calls for a simple paneled front doorway that leads to a main hallway and symmetrical interior that is warmed by a massive central chimney, although modern floor plans may vary. Steep rooflines limit build-up of winter precipitation, while second-story side-gables admit light and help circulate air throughout the home.

• Steep roof
• Symmetrical interior
• Second-story side gables