Bow Roof House Plans

The Bow Roof or Old Ships Bottom Roof House collection is a copyrighted design of the curved roof cape style originating from the Solomon Howe's House built around the1800's in Chatham MA. Bow roofed capes are an early localized phenomenon, having been constructed between the 1600's - 1800's in the Cape Cod area. It appears that the original bowed roofs were constructed as thatched roofs, a practice brought over from England. There is a myth that the roof originated as a ship builders house who shaped his roof similar to a ships hull. The best example of this curved roof can still be observed at the Solomon Howe's house in Chatham MA. Our version has a well-defined curve and high pitch affording a greater amount of usable living space and eye appeal. Dollar for dollar, a bowed roof cape is more economical to build than a traditional cape. The additional floor space of the bowed roof house adds value that far exceeds the additional cost of the framing material. Thus making it a far greater value economically
and esthetically.