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House Styles
A frame - an a frame house has a very steep gable roof shape. This shape extends all the way to the ground to help heavy snow to fall of the roof. This roof design leads to less paint and maintenance of the exterior of the home. These homes have very limited living space and very few vertical walls. This type of home is usually built as a vacation house. They tend to be one and a half to two and a half stories high. A frames are known for their wall of windows in the front of the home this type of home was very popular in the 1950's through the 1970's.
Bungalow- a bungalow is strictly a single story home that is set back away from the street. In most cases the porch on a bungalow is an integral part of the home. This brings the indoor and outdoor living space together as one.
The wood work in the home was often stained dark , to call attention to the elaborate trim and beautiful detail in the wood. There are many variations of the bungalow. There is a semi bungalow which is a story and a half in appearance, but only has limited second story living space under the dormers of the roof. Then there is a bungaloid which looks like the others , but has a full second story of living space. Bungalows have picked up influences from all over the world. There is a japanese style a spanish style and even a swiss style bungalow.
Georgian- this style of home was made for the wealthy. It is usually square in shape with a central door. These homes were built in brick or painted white. They always had huge wooden columns in the front of the home. The front door opened into a grand foyer with a huge staircase that all of the rooms lead off of. These homes were exteremely big , and always had at least one fireplace.
Snout house- a snout house is a house that was built so that the garage is closer to the street than the rest of the house. This style of home was built so that people with moderate incomes could afford a home of their own. Whole blocks of the street were built in this style. Snout houses are not found very attractive to some people they say it looks like a storage garage not a home.
Cape Cod- this is one of the oldest and most popular styles of houses in the u.S. They are generally small in scale and are low to the ground. The horrible weather of massachusetts is the reason for this type of home. They have a roof that is pitched about 8 to 12 inches and a small overhang to keep the wind off the house. The roofs are usually covered in wooden shingles. A large chimney is the centerpiece of this home it is centered over the front door.
Tudor- tudor homes are modeled after an old medieval house or cabin. Tudor homes often have steep pitched roofs and very high chimneys. These homes have a very distinctive look of white plaster and heavy dark stained beams on the exterior.Another artectural feature of these homes is multi pained windows that are tall and narrow.
Colonial- a colonial home varies depending on the region that you are in. In general colonial houses are very balanced homes. They have a centered door with lots of windows in a pattern. The upstairs and downstairs has the same amount of square feet. The exterior of these homes is frequently clapboard painted white or blue, or brick. Colonials are a very traditional and conservative american style.
Farm house- this type of home is a large structure usually found in the country or a rural area. Farmhouses have huge wrap around porches. These homes are most always two or more stories with gables on the second story exterior. Today farmhouses can be found on working farms or in suburbs all over the united states.
Prairie- this style of home began in 1900 and was extremely popular until 1915. The prairie home has a hipped roof pitched low. It has very strong horozontial lines. The front door of a prairie home is usually hidden off to the side out of the view from the street. These houses are very low to the ground and have a chimney in the middle of the house. Prairie style homes usually have an open floor plan.
Garrison Colonial- garrison colonials were first built by new england settlers. These homes looked like the medieval houses of england, almost fort like. Garrison homes have steep gabled roofs, small diamond windows, and a second story overhang across the front of the home. The front door is centered on the front of the home and the windows were spaced evenly on both sides. The exterior of these houses were build in unpainted clapboard or wooden shingles.
Ranch- ranches were first built in the 1920's .The ranch style was very popular from 1940 through 1970. Ranches ae always a single story. They tend to have alow roof. Ranches have a very long rectangle or l shape. Ranches are very sought after for people who cannot climb stairs. The ranch home can also be known as the western ranch, american ranch or the california ranch.
Log House- a log house and log cabin are the same thing. A log house is a home made from un cut logs. These homes tend to have large walls of windows to enjoy beautiful views. There are two different types of log homes . Handcrafted and milled, handcrafted log cabins date back to the 1700's .Log cabins are built with a large overhang to keep snow away from the house. Today log homes are built in warm and cold regions
Queen Anne Victorian- a queen anne victorian house is an irregular or complex shapped house with round or square towers or turrets. These homes have very elaborate porches with scrollwork and gingerbread ornaments.They always have decorated gables porch headers and interesting
shingle patterns. This style home was built from 1875 through 1915
Gothic Revival- this is a sub style of victorian homes. These homes were built in 1840 through 1875. They were built of stone and wood. These homes have steep roofs and pointed tudor style arches. These homes have gothic shapped windows and extravagant features such as towers and verandas. They had ornate details on the windows gables and door trim. Some people say the homes look like old english churches.
Split Levels- split level homes were first built in the 1950's. Split levels were built as affordable home for middle class . These home are found in the midwest and eastern suburbs. A split level is almost the same as a ranch but is two stories. These houses often have a connected one or two car garage.
Shingle Style- shingle style is a sub style of a victorian home. This type of home was built from 1880 through 1905. It has shingles that cover all exterior wall surfaces, and are built with a rough stone foundation. They have very low roofs with round towers ,and very little decoration compared to most victorian styles of homes. This type of home is also known for their extremely large porches.
Italianate- this house style was built in 1838 through 1890. They have low pitched or hipped roofs, square towers, and square columned porches with flattened roman arches. This type of house was built with curved windows that were topped with eyebrows. This style of home looks like an old italian manor.
Richardson Romanesque- this style of home was built from 1870 through 1905.
They were known to be inspired by archetect henery hobson richardson. Romanesque homes were built with massive stonework on the exterior.
They have heavy round arches and round or square towers that were made of different brick combinations.The roof was either slate or tiles. This home has a very heavy fat look.
Spanish Style- this style of house has a very distinctive design. The exterior of a spanish home is stucco in a vibrant color with many arches and columns. Spanish homes have a low pitched tile roof. This type of home can withstand extreme heat. Spanish style homes are very popular in the southwest and california.
Victorian- victorians are found all over the united states. They are built with shingles on the exterior, towers, bay windows, oval sometimes stained glass windows, and giant porches with lavish gingerbread ornimatation. Many of the porches wrap around the side of the home. Victorian homes are known for their refined but quirky look. There are many sub styles of victorians.
Saltbox- saltbox homes were first built around 1650. This type of home is very plain.
The exterior of a saltbox has shingles or clapboard. This style of home is one story in the back and two stories in the front. They have a very low roof line, a central chimney and unmatched sides
Arts and Crafts- this style of home is also known as a craftsman. Some features of this home are stone,wood,or stucco exterior siding, a porch with fat square columns, and a stone chimney. The interior of a craftsman home is usually built with ceiling beams, dark wood details, and built in shelves. This style of home is often compared to a bungalow.
Pueblo- pueblo style homes are very popular in the southwest and california. The exterior of a pueblo is almost always made of adobe which is bricks made from dirt, clay, and straw. These homes have a flat roof, plain windows, and built in rain spouts that stick out of the exterior to drain rain water. These homes can withstand extreme heat.
Contemporary- contemporary houses were first built in the mid sixtys. They have very strange complex shapes. The roof shape of these house is different to each home. Contemporary homes often have huge tall windows. They have an open floor plan and an exterior of stone or wood.
Beach House- this style of home is usually built on the coast of or right next to a body of water. Beach houses are usually built on tall stilts in case of a hurricane or a flood. They tend to have an open floor plan , huge windows to enjoy the views, and a durable type of siding such a vynil to hold up to the sea air. These homes are extremely sought after so a small home may cost alot more than a home built in a neighborhood.
