What happens when you launch a piece of 2x4 lumber at a window? Why would you do such a thing?

Cape Cod is surrounded, literally, by water. Many of the homes we build are located on or near Cape Cod’s bays, sounds, and the Atlantic Ocean. The materials employed in the construction of our homes are crucial to their longevity and lasting value. Azek boards, special vents, architectural shingles, are all examples of components that are critically important to a successful build.

Windows and doors are frequently the only thing standing between the interior of a lovely REEF-built home and nature’s wrath. REEF often uses Andersen windows and doors in the construction of our fine homes. They are high quality, durable, attractive windows that stand the test of time. Impact Resistant windows are required for many locations, including those within 1 mile of the ocean.

What does Impact resistant mean? Here’s a great video from Andersen documenting their testing techniques, including launching an 8 foot 2x4 at 50 feet per second at a window…Ouch!

Andersen Windows tests their products for Cape Cod Homes

Andersen Windows tests their products for Cape Cod Homes

Yesterday I visited a site for a Customer. It was a beautiful morning, full of sun with a light breeze. Winding down roads off the beaten path, I turned the corner and came upon an amazing beach. Wow. I’ve lived on Cape Cod since I was a kid, and I have my favorite beaches. But this discovery made me remember how glorious the Cape can be, and how great it is to explore beyond your daily route.

Many of us think “my beach is the best.” I’m sure you’re right! I know my favorite beach is fabulous. But here’s another take on the Best Beach: I suggest that there are Best Beaches all over Cape Cod. Each has its own features and surprises, its own unique specialness. Great tide pools? Sunsets? Surf?

Here’s a couple reports with lists of Best Beaches on Cape Cod. Did your Best Beach make the list?

Cape Cod's Best Beaches

TripAdvisor's list of Cape Cod's Best Beaches

Cape Cod's Best Beaches

TripAdvisor's list of Cape Cod's Best Beaches

Cape Cod Life has a great new website. Definitely worth a look. Within the site one can access various articles of interest…including the Cape Cod Home Summer 2014 feature story on a very special REEF-built home.

If you haven’t gotten a copy of the magazine (it's on newsstands now!), the new site is a great resource. And the full article on this stunning home is a wonderful read. The Cape Cod Life web site also offers recipes, photographs of the Cape, and lots more.

Take a minute and smell the roses!

Cape Cod Home Inspired by the Bay

Cape Cod Home Inspired by the Bay

Many of the homes that REEF designs and builds are used primarily as summer retreats. These homes are spaces for relaxing, gathering one’s thoughts, and reenergizing. Calm, relaxed summer days are enhanced by an environment of soft pastels.

Often summer is a great time for Do-It-Yourself projects, like having fun with old furniture and new colors.

Here are some great ideas to freshen up your Cape Cod home with easy pastel colors.

Colorful ways to use Pastels in your Cape Cod Home

Colorful ways to use Pastels in your Cape Cod Home

The Cape Cod community is made better every day by the good work of CapeAbilities. They have been creating opportunity for Cape Codders with disabilities since 1968. Their services range from the Cape Abilities Farm on Route 6A in Dennis, to a Thrift Shop in Barnstable Village, to Cape Cod Saltworks which harvests salt from the waters that surround Cape Cod.

CapeAbilities offers transportation, support and education programs that have enriched the lives of thousands of Cape Codders. It’s selfless endeavors like this that help make Cape Cod so wonderful.

REEF Cape Cod’s Home Builder is proud to support CapeAbilities. Their annual golf tournament is an important fundraiser, and we’re happy to help. Have a look at CapeAbilities website, and perhaps you’ll find a way to help too.

CapeAbilities helps make Cape Cod a great place!

CapeAbilities helps make Cape Cod a great place!

Cape Cod Home selected a REEF Home for the front cover of their Summer issue! Inside you’ll find a 10-page feature article on a home we designed, built, and delivered last summer. Needless to say, it’s a beautiful home, with amazing views of Cape Cod Bay.

The Owners wanted to build a “cottage by the sea”, and what a fabulous cottage it is! One of the goals was to make it feel like you were on the beach, even inside the house. An open floor plan, wide pine floors, pebble fireplace surround…lots of details work together to create a very relaxed, casually elegant environment.

The whole team at REEF is very proud that Cape Cod Home chose to feature our work on their cover and in their Summer issue. Cape Cod Home is a very high quality periodical, well written and full of interesting information. The Summer issue is on newsstands today – grab a copy and read about REEF!

Read Cape Cod Home magazine, & Cape Cod Life too!

Read Cape Cod Home magazine, & Cape Cod Life too!

The fallout and confusion catalyzed by FEMA’s promulgation of new Flood Insurance Rate Maps continues. 

Here is a case of a Chatham landowner who applied for a permit to make some changes to their home…in 2007! It is STILL under review!

Certainly this is an extreme case. It highlights the quandary in which town boards find themselves: Building height restrictions are there for a reason. But if a federal agency (FEMA) requires the house to be lifted out of a flood zone, should the height restriction take that flood zone requirement into consideration?

At REEF Cape Cod’s Home Builder we help people consider their options every day. The new flood zones have made some projects more challenging, but there is always a way.

If you own a home on the Cape, or are considering buying one, or counsel home Buyers and Sellers, this information is important.

Recent zoning ruling has Cape Cod officials baffled

Recent zoning ruling has Cape Cod officials baffled

You've made the decision: "Let's build our dream home!" or perhaps a simple cottage by the sea. Now what?   Simple.    Hire a builder and get on with the project!

Caveat emptor --> Not all builders are equal!

Once you've made the decision to build, you owe it to yourself to find a builder who is perfect for you and your project.

How do you know which builder is the best fit?

What questions will lead you to the right answer?

Here's a link to our site with a form to get a great list of questions that will help you make sure you have the best possible builder for your project:

Important Questions to Ask BEFORE You Build on Cape Cod

Important Questions to Ask BEFORE You Build on Cape Cod

Yes! It’s time again for fabulous fireworks all over Cape Cod! Every year is another adventure when it comes to watching fireworks on Cape Cod. Some of my favorite summer memories include magnificent fireworks displays. Boats, beaches, village squares – it seems you can see them from everywhere. Even multiple displays happening at the same time!

It’s a trick to keep up with the fireworks schedule. Towns do it on different nights…and you don’t want to miss the fireworks! So here’s a good list of displays all around the Cape. God Bless America!

Cape Cod Fireworks Schedule by Town

Cape Cod Fireworks Schedule by Town

Every day we talk with people about improving their Cape Cod home, or building on a vacant parcel of land. Generally these conversations are very productive, and we are asked to build a new home, or renovate or expand an existing home.

Sometimes people are very surprised to learn that the land they have owned for years, or just purchased, is considered “Environmentally Sensitive” by the Board of Health in their town. This discovery can be unwelcome news. Land which is located in an “Environmentally Sensitive Area” (ESA) generally requires a Variance from the Board of Health before an addition or change in floor plan is allowed.

And an ESA is not just waterfront property:
• Land with a high water table
• Land with existing or known future water supplies
• Land with terrestrial and/or aquatic plant/animal habitats
• Land with endangered species habitats
• Land within a DCPC (District of Critical Planning Concern)

Here's a 4-page Homeowners Guide and Notice from the Dennis Board of Health. It's very interesting reading for anybody considering renovating a property, or building a new home on Cape Cod.

Is your Cape Cod land considered Environmentally Sensitive?

 Is your Cape Cod land considered Environmentally Sensitive?