Estimating Cape Cods & A-Frames

Cape Cods and A-Frames

Cape Cod buildings (sometimes known as 'story-and-a-halfs') and A-frame buildings are unusual because the upper story is 'inside' the roof framing, not beneath it.

To handle the reduction in siding area caused by the lower roof line, enter a negative number for the difference between the top floor ceiling height and the eaves, on the Exterior Dimensions card (see page 227).

For a Cape Cod, measure from the average top floor ceiling height to where the siding ends under the eaves, and enter it as a negative number on the Exterior Dimensions card.

For an A-frame, measure down from the average top floor ceiling height to the bottom of the sloped roofs, and enter it as a negative number on the Exterior Dimensions card.

For the upper floor of Capes and A-frames (or for other 'loft' areas that fit entirely under the roof framing), enter the length of any gable end walls and any knee walls as exterior walls on the Basic Dimensions or Room cards. If there are no knee walls being built upstairs, and the room extends all the way to the junction of roof framing and floor framing, enter the gable end walls only, since no side walls exist. If a loft area has no exterior walls at all, don't even consider it to be a separate story--add its measurements to those for the main story instead.

When entering upstairs floor area for either type of project, include only the floor area that will actually be finished and walked upon. Storage area under the eaves should not be included in the basic floor areas--instead, enter it as attic space on the Miscellaneous Dimensions card.

NOTE: If the area above the collar ties has a floor and is used for storage, also include that in attic area.

Enter the area covered by collar ties under Ceiling Framing Quantity on the Structural Dimensions card. Also fill out thickness and spacing information under the Ceiling row.

NOTE: In Specifications, enter the collar ties under Ceilings & Soffits on the Wall & Roof Framing card.

If using balloon framing on a Cape Cod project, you may want to add an additional line item in Specifications to cover the extra labor and material for framing at the eaves.