How Is A Cape Cod Gross Living Area Calculated

A Cape Cod-style home is a classic single-story residence with a gabled roof, often featuring a front porch and a symmetrical design. The gross living area is the total square footage of all habitable spaces in the home, including bedrooms, bathrooms, living areas, and kitchens.

What Is Gross Living Area?

The gross living area (GLA) is the total square footage of all habitable spaces in a building, including rooms, hallways, and closets. It's calculated by measuring the interior dimensions of each space and summing them up. For residential properties, the gross living area typically excludes garages, porches, and other non-living spaces.

Note: Gross living area is different from net living area, which excludes certain spaces like closets and storage areas.

Cape Cod Home Specifications

Cape Cod homes typically have the following characteristics:

Single-story design
Gabled roof
Front porch
Symmetrical layout
Common floor plan includes living room, dining room, kitchen, and multiple bedrooms

Standard Cape Cod Layout:

Most Cape Cod homes follow a standard layout where the living room is on one side, the kitchen and dining area on the other, with bedrooms extending from the main living areas.

Calculation Method

The gross living area of a Cape Cod home is calculated by measuring the interior dimensions of each room and summing them up. Here's the step-by-step process:

Measure the length and width of each room in feet
Calculate the area of each room by multiplying length by width
Sum the areas of all habitable rooms to get the gross living area

Formula:

Gross Living Area = Σ (Length × Width) for all habitable rooms

For a typical Cape Cod home, you might measure:

Living room: 15' × 18' = 270 sq ft
Dining room: 12' × 10' = 120 sq ft
Kitchen: 10' × 12' = 120 sq ft
Master bedroom: 12' × 14' = 168 sq ft
Bedroom 2: 10' × 12' = 120 sq ft
Bedroom 3: 10' × 10' = 100 sq ft
Bathroom: 8' × 8' = 64 sq ft

Example Calculation

Let's calculate the gross living area for a typical Cape Cod home:

Room	Dimensions (ft)	Area (sq ft)
Living Room	15' × 18'	270
Dining Room	12' × 10'	120
Kitchen	10' × 12'	120
Master Bedroom	12' × 14'	168
Bedroom 2	10' × 12'	120
Bedroom 3	10' × 10'	100
Bathroom	8' × 8'	64
Total		1,062 sq ft

In this example, the gross living area is 1,062 square feet. This calculation includes all habitable spaces in the home.

Common Mistakes

When calculating the gross living area of a Cape Cod home, it's important to avoid these common mistakes:

Including non-habitable spaces like garages or porches
Excluding closets and storage areas that are considered habitable
Using exterior dimensions instead of interior measurements
Forgetting to measure hallways and stairwells

Tip: Always measure from the interior walls to ensure accurate calculations.

FAQ

What is the difference between gross and net living area?: The gross living area includes all habitable spaces, while the net living area excludes closets, storage areas, and other non-living spaces.
How do I measure the interior dimensions of a room?: Use a measuring tape to measure from one interior wall to the opposite interior wall for both length and width.
Should I include the porch in the gross living area?: No, porches are typically not considered part of the gross living area as they are not habitable spaces.
What if my home has an unusual layout?: For homes with irregular layouts, break the space into individual rooms and measure each one separately.
Is the gross living area the same as the square footage listed in real estate listings?: Not always. Real estate listings may use different definitions of square footage, so it's best to verify with a professional.