What Makes a Levittown Cape a Levittown Cape
William Levitt built Levittown in a hurry between 1947 and 1951 to house returning WWII veterans. The original Levittown Cape Cod (not to be confused with the later ranch model) has a very specific footprint and construction spec:
- Size: 750 square feet on the main floor, expandable attic. Usually 1.5 stories after expansion.
- Footprint: Approximately 25 feet wide by 30 feet deep. Small by modern standards.
- Original siding: Painted cedar shake or asbestos shingle. Most were asbestos shingle.
- Wall construction: 2x4 framing on 16-inch centers, no sheathing (just siding nailed directly to the studs through a layer of tar paper).
- Roof: Steep gable, usually with one or two dormers added later.
- Insulation: Originally minimal. Most have been insulated poorly or not at all in the walls.
- Foundation: Concrete slab, no basement.
If your house is one of the 17,000 Levittown capes, it has these specs to within a few inches. The original blueprints are basically identical.
The Specific Challenges
Most LI siding contractors have done a cape or two. Very few have done 60+ of them. The specific challenges that separate a Levittown reside from a "normal" cape reside:
Challenge 1: Asbestos shingle siding
About 70% of original Levittown capes have asbestos shingle siding under whatever vinyl or aluminum was added in the 1970s or 1980s. Asbestos shingle is not dangerous while intact on the wall, but it cannot be cut, drilled, broken, or removed by a non-licensed contractor.
What we do: Test first if we are not sure. If the result is positive, we bring in a licensed abatement subcontractor we have used for 14 years. Abatement adds $3,500-$6,500 to the total project cost and adds 1-2 days to the schedule.
Challenge 2: No sheathing on the original walls
Original Levittown capes have no OSB or plywood sheathing. The siding was nailed directly through tar paper into the studs. When you tear off the old siding, you are looking at exposed framing with tar paper (now brittle and torn).
What we do: Install new OSB sheathing before the new siding goes up. This adds material cost (about $2,500-$4,000 for a typical cape) and 2 days to the schedule, but it dramatically improves air sealing, structural rigidity, and insulation performance. I will not reside a Levittown cape without adding sheathing because the long-term results are so much better.
Challenge 3: Poor wall insulation
The original walls were insulated with R-8 batt at best, often less. Modern energy code wants R-13 to R-21 in new construction walls. While we are in there with the old siding off and new sheathing going on, it is the right time to add rigid foam exterior insulation or blow new insulation into the wall cavity.
What we do: Quote insulated vinyl (CertainTeed CedarBoards) as a standard option because it adds R-3 to R-4 without dealing with the wall cavity. Quote exterior rigid foam as an upgrade for homeowners who want more. Quote blown-in cellulose for customers who want maximum insulation upgrade.
Challenge 4: Small-scale footprint and material choice
A 750-sqft cape looks weird with oversized 7.25" clapboard profiles meant for larger homes. The proportion is wrong. We spec 4" or 5" reveal profiles on Levittown capes to match the historical scale.
What we do: CertainTeed Monogram 46 vinyl (4.5" reveal), CedarBoards insulated (4.5" reveal), or Hardie Plank in the 5.25" profile for premium jobs. Never the wider 7.25" Hardie profile on a Levittown cape.
Challenge 5: Dormers added later
About 80% of Levittown capes have had one or two dormers added in the 1960s-80s to expand the second floor. These dormers were often added by different contractors with different quality levels. Sometimes the dormer siding and trim do not match the main house. Sometimes the dormer flashing leaks. We always inspect dormers carefully and quote their repair or re-flashing as needed.
What to Expect During a Levittown Cape Reside
Week 1: Prep and permit
- Day 1-2: Walk-through, measurements, quote.
- Day 3-5: Contract signing, material selection, color confirmation.
- Day 6-14: Permit pulled (Town of Hempstead, 7-14 business days).
Week 2-3: Abatement (if needed)
- 1-2 days: Asbestos abatement by licensed subcontractor if the original shingles are present. We stay off-site during abatement and come back once it is cleared.
Week 3-4: Tear-off and prep
- Day 1-2: Tear-off existing siding and trim. Dumpster staged in driveway or street (with permit).
- Day 3: Inspect existing framing and sheathing conditions. Document any rot.
- Day 4-5: Install new OSB sheathing and house wrap (for original capes that lacked sheathing).
Week 4-5: New siding
- Day 1-3: Install starter course and first walls (usually back first).
- Day 4-7: Continue main walls.
- Day 8-10: Trim work, J-channel, corner boards, window and door flashing.
- Day 11-12: Final details, caulking, touch-ups.
Week 5: Cleanup and inspection
- Day 1: Magnet sweep of lawn and driveway.
- Day 2: Final walk-through with homeowner.
- Day 3-5: Building inspector visits for final inspection.
Total project timeline: 3-5 weeks from contract signing to completed job, including permit time.
Active work days on site: 8-12 working days for the siding itself, plus 1-2 days for abatement, plus 2 days for new sheathing.
Real Cost Numbers
Based on jobs we completed in 2024-2025:
Scenario A: Vinyl reside, no abatement, no sheathing upgrade
Example: 1950 cape on Division Avenue, had been resided once in the 1980s over the original asbestos (so no asbestos tear-off needed), original siding still in place behind the vinyl.
- Material: CertainTeed Monogram 46 in Flagstone
- Sqft exterior: 1,200
- Project cost: $18,500
- Timeline: 8 working days
- Notes: Did not add sheathing because there was already a layer of OSB from the 1980s reside. Did not abate asbestos because it was buried under intact vinyl and we left it.
Scenario B: Vinyl reside with asbestos abatement and new sheathing
Example: 1948 cape on Stone Lane, original asbestos shingle still exposed, no previous reside.
- Material: CertainTeed CedarBoards insulated vinyl in Colonial White with shake-look accent gable
- Sqft exterior: 1,300
- Abatement cost: $5,200
- Sheathing add: $3,500
- Siding project: $24,000
- Total project cost: $32,700
- Timeline: 14 working days
- Notes: Homeowner said the winter heating bill dropped $45/month after the reside.
Scenario C: James Hardie reside with abatement
Example: 1951 cape on East Village Green, original asbestos, owner wanted premium material.
- Material: James Hardie Plank in Aged Pewter with HardieShingle accent gable
- Sqft exterior: 1,200
- Abatement cost: $4,800
- Sheathing add: $3,200
- Siding project: $38,500
- Total project cost: $46,500
- Timeline: 16 working days
- Notes: Customer was planning to stay 20+ years and wanted the Hardie lifespan.
Rule of thumb for Levittown capes:
- Standard vinyl: $18,500-$24,000 without abatement, add $5,000-$6,500 for abatement
- Insulated vinyl: $22,000-$30,000 without abatement, add $5,000-$6,500 for abatement
- James Hardie: $32,000-$42,000 without abatement, add $5,000-$6,500 for abatement
Our Recommendation by Situation
If you are staying 5-10 years and on a budget
CertainTeed Monogram 46 vinyl in a color that fits the neighborhood (whites, grays, warm tans are all period-appropriate). Small-scale profile (4.5" reveal) looks right on the small footprint.
If you are staying 10+ years and want better insulation
CertainTeed CedarBoards insulated vinyl. Same small-scale profile but adds R-3 to R-4 to the wall, which makes a real difference on these under-insulated original walls. Heating bill savings typically pay back the upgrade cost within 10-12 winters.
If you are staying 20+ years or want the premium look
James Hardie Plank in the 5.25" profile with HardieShingle accent on the gables. Looks incredible on a properly-proportioned cape. Lasts 40-50 years. More expensive but pays off in resale and insurance savings.
If you are in a historic-character neighborhood
Maibec Heritage engineered cedar with period-correct trim. Real-wood look without the staining maintenance. Gets compliments from neighbors.
If you want the absolute cheapest option that will still look decent
Mastic Quest vinyl in a conservative color. Lower cost than CertainTeed, still a decent-looking material, 20-25 year practical life. Not our first choice but we install it for budget-conscious customers who tell us honestly they need to keep the project under $20,000.
What We Sometimes Find Behind the Old Siding
About 30% of Levittown cape residings we do reveal at least one of these surprises:
- Rotted framing around windows. Water infiltration around original windows has damaged the wood framing. Add $400-$1,200 per window for repair.
- Termite damage. Old but dormant. Usually no active infestation but damaged wood needs replacement. Add $500-$2,000 depending on scope.
- Knob and tube wiring. Original 1948-51 Levittown capes had knob and tube. Most have been replaced, but sometimes it is still there in attic walls. We do not touch electrical. We recommend an electrician.
- Lead paint on old trim. Pre-1978 houses often have lead paint on original wood trim. If we are stripping trim, we follow EPA lead-safe work practices. Adds some cost.
- Previous illegal repairs. Sometimes we find that a previous owner patched a wall with non-code materials that have been hidden behind siding for 30 years. We document and repair properly.
- Hidden sheathing rot. Where water has gotten past the old siding over years, sheathing can be soft or rotted in localized areas. We always repair these.
We communicate immediately if we find any of these, show you photos, and quote the additional work before continuing. No surprise bills at the end.
Do Your Levittown Cape Right
Levittown capes are a specific kind of home with specific history and specific quirks. A generic national siding contractor who has never worked on one will not know what to expect during tear-off, will not quote the abatement correctly, and will not spec the right material profile for the small footprint.
If you own a Levittown cape and you are thinking about residing, the walk-through is free and I will tell you honestly what your house needs. 60-plus of these in 14 years. We know them.
Schedule a walk-through → Free estimate Or call Mike direct → (516) 555-0100
Still have questions?
This guide was written by Mike Reilly. If your situation has a wrinkle we did not cover, call us direct. Most questions we answer by phone take five minutes.