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Look Out for a Widow's Walk Revival
Gazing out at the ocean has happier associations these days, but your eyes may be glued to this rooftop deck's high style
Houzz Contributor. I'm an interior designer, homeowner and founding blogger of the before + after super-site, http://www.raenovate.com/.
Houzz Contributor. I'm an interior designer, homeowner and founding blogger... More »
I had the great fortune of spending a few glorious days on Massachusetts' Cape Cod with my family this July. As we toured the town of Chatham I couldn't help but longingly stare at the abundance of beautiful homes — homes with widow's walks.
Often found on houses in well-known Northwest port cities, a widow's walk is a railed rooftop platform. Legend has it the observation decks earned their name from the wives of mariners, who would heartrendingly watch for the return of their husbands' fishing boats, many of whom never returned.
Most commonly associated with the Greek revival and Italianate architectural styles, widow's walks were popular in the 1800s. However, as maritime technology progressed, the whaling industry collapsed, and the upkeep required for the heavily exposed decks never stopped, most widow's walks disappeared.
Fortunately, there's been a comeback, and many in Chatham and villages like it have been restored or replicated, and have become quite popular. While the decks are no longer used as a platform for awaiting news, folks are certainly still occupying them and staring out to sea.
Also, nowadays many homes striving for a Greek revival or Italianate appearance add widow's walks strictly for ornamental purposes, rather than functional. In these situations roof embellishment is the goal. Many designers will specify decorative metal enclosures or Chippendale balustrades in these instances. And boy, do they pack a decorative punch!
Often found on houses in well-known Northwest port cities, a widow's walk is a railed rooftop platform. Legend has it the observation decks earned their name from the wives of mariners, who would heartrendingly watch for the return of their husbands' fishing boats, many of whom never returned.
Most commonly associated with the Greek revival and Italianate architectural styles, widow's walks were popular in the 1800s. However, as maritime technology progressed, the whaling industry collapsed, and the upkeep required for the heavily exposed decks never stopped, most widow's walks disappeared.
Fortunately, there's been a comeback, and many in Chatham and villages like it have been restored or replicated, and have become quite popular. While the decks are no longer used as a platform for awaiting news, folks are certainly still occupying them and staring out to sea.
Also, nowadays many homes striving for a Greek revival or Italianate appearance add widow's walks strictly for ornamental purposes, rather than functional. In these situations roof embellishment is the goal. Many designers will specify decorative metal enclosures or Chippendale balustrades in these instances. And boy, do they pack a decorative punch!
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New England designer Marcus Gleysteen placed a widow's walk front and center on this sprawling coastal home. It works exceptionally well with the wooden shingle roof.
| Jennifer Huestis added Chippendale balustrades to the widow's walk on this waterfront Greenwich, Connecticut, home. The entire residence received an extensive renovation — the stucco, the slate roof, the windows and the porch columns are also all new. |
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| Oftentimes you'll find a widow's walk and a chimney next to each other. This was originally designed to allow easy access to the chimney for maintenance. |
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| Widow's walks require a certain level of upkeep due to the fact that they're constantly exposed to the elements. When this Greek revival residence was renovated, the goal was to revive the original bones and elements, with a focus on the widow's walk. |
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| Located in Bradley Beach, New Jersey, on the Atlantic Ocean, this home has Chippendale balustrades repeated on the deck and the widow's walk, creating a cohesive design. |
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| This shingle-style home is lucky enough to have a widow's walk. Some of its shingle characteristics include a turret, prominent chimneys, irregular roof lines and a stone foundation. |
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| Sitting atop a bluff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, this new-construction home in Manchester, Massachusetts, proves that widow's walks are back. |
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| Natural cedar shingle siding and roofing work together with the ipe wood widow's walk decking to keep the exterior low maintenance at this beachfront Delaware estate. |
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| Situated in the seacoast town of Scituate, Massachusetts, this widow's walk provides a spot for soaking in the ocean views. |
Comments
megangbush Gorgeous! I never knew what they were called, but I always admire them when I see them. Thanks!
10 months ago · Like
tricia0 Nice pics. I wish they showed how the stairs whenup...I am thinking about incorporting one in my house in the FL keys.
10 months ago · Like
ericahulbert Did you feel weird having to say 'widow's walk' so many times in this article? The name cracks me up! It conjures up such morbid images, yet that's what we've all agreed to call them. Such a creepy name for such a beautiful home element. Just thought it was funny.
10 months ago · Like
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Laurel Ennis These are lovely except for the one in Jersey shore. It looks like somebody put a fence on the roof. It SO doesn't work with that house style.
10 months ago · Like
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julie weissend Dovetail Construction Company, Inc. in Richmond, Virginia, just reincorporated a widow's walk that had been missing for 70+ years. It makes the house! 
10 months ago · Like
marie3333 Would it be weird to put a widows walk if the home is not on the water?
10 months ago · Like
woolylam I want to put one on my house. Its a 4 square with a flat top. We don't live by water, but we are on top of a hill. Someday.....
10 months ago · Like
Pamela Campbell you meant "well-known North*east* port cities"
6 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on Aug. 2, 2012.
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