Cape Cod homes are a staple of the Cape Cod coastal region. Cape Cods, also known as capes, look very quaint and charming with their windows opening to the ocean side near or on Cape Cod Bay. If you live in Cape Cod and want to keep sand out of your home, this post is for you!
Sand is a common enemy Cape Cods face since Cape Cod homes are typically built near or on the beach. Cape Cod is made of sand and pebbles washed in from surrounding waters. Cape Cods flood frequently due to ocean breezes and high tides. Storms have been known to roll up large waves to devastate Cape Cods with flooding and damage. Dunes protect cape Cods, but the sand still manages to find its way into Cape Cod homes.
Cape Cod residents quickly realize that sweeping and mopping the first floor of one’s home does not keep sand from coming back in through open windows and doors. Sand can also slip inside under doors and stuffed windows.
Cape Cod homes should be prepared with a multi-layered method of keeping sand out. The first line of defense is to simply keep doors and windows closed when it is breezy or stormy outside. Sand can even slip in through open windows at night, indicating that Cape Cods need window screens. Cape Cods also need window stops to keep windows from opening too far. Cape Cods should have door sweeps to catch sand that makes its way in under doors. Cape Cod residents will want to use magnetic or spring catches on Cape Cod doors to keep them closed during breezy days. Cape Cods can get sand inside through wall cracks, so Cape Cod residents should also look into Cape Cods window and door trim solutions to make sure those areas are protected as well.
Cape Cods need a secondary line of defense after their first line of defense has been breached. The second layer would include Cape Cod weather stripping, such as around doors and windows, which Cape Cod residents can purchase at Cape Cod hardware stores. Cape Cods can also look into Cape Cod storm panels to better protect the first floor of their homes, where storms hit the hardest. Cape Cod residents might want to consider Cape Cod treatments for windows or installing Cape sights that close automatically during high tides and breezy days.
The third line of defense is an entirely different Cape Cod approach to keeping sand out of Cape Cods. Cape Cods can look into going up a floor or two, where they might have more peace from breezy days. Cape Cod basements are typically enclosed rooms with outside doors, so this is a good idea for Cape Cod homes that already have Cape Cods basement windows. Cape Cod homes with Cape Cods basements could even be used as a Cape Cod guest room, home office, family room, or Cape Cod playroom. Upstairs Cape Cod living areas typically do not have issues with sand intrusion since the ground floor is near or on the beach. Cape Cods can also consider a second Cape Cod story as a Cape Cod playroom, home office, or Cape Cod family room.
Cape Cods should take a proactive approach to keep sand out of Cape Cod homes by installing magnets, door stops, and window stops at the first floor Cape Code entrance. Putting screens on all open windows is also an excellent idea. The second story can also get beach sand in through Cape Cod windows, so Cape Cods might want to consider adding magnetic, or spring catches on Cape Cod doors at the second floor Cape Cod entrance. Cape Cod basements can be enclosed rooms with outside doors, so Cape Cods do not need to worry about sand in Cape Cods basements.
Do you need help keeping your home on Cape Cod sand-free? We can help.