Architectural Home Styles - Learning Real Estate Terms
What is the style of the house you are living in? How about your friends? Lets figure it out!
Bungalow
Bungalow design is an all American architectural style, but the name has its roots in Bengal, India, where single-family homes were called bangla or bangala. Bungalows were widespread in the early 20th century. Today's bungalows are one- or one-and-a- half story, with a front or rear porch connecting to a small garden, with low-pitched shingled roofs, exposed beams and woodwork, built-in cabinetry, and stone and/or stucco or wood siding.
VictorianVictorian houses are known for their ornate facades and wrap around porches. A traditional Victorian home plan may have octagonal shaped rooms or wings. Key characteristics are: high, peaked roof, wide front porch, long tall windows, steep staircases, contrasting pastel tones, and hand-carved “gingerbread” motif. Interior features include ceiling medallions, chair rails, crown molding, and plaster walls. Designs can range from the humble, plain, 1-story to the extravagantly detailed 3-story with a tower.
Italianate
Italian style homes -- part of the more general Mediterranean style - feature gently-pitched roofs with wide, overhanging eaves supported by large decorative brackets recalling the pediment shape of classical temples. The Italian style floor plan typically revolves around a circular staircase in a tall tower. Common Italianate features are the grouping of either straight or round-headed windows into threes or small arcades, and the placement of porches or arcaded loggias between the tower and house or at the corners.
Tudor
The Tudor house plan is easily identified by its exterior; diagonally placed heavy dark beams set against light, whitewashed plaster, and a patterned stone or brick chimney. Tudor style home plans draw their inspiration from medieval English half-timbered cottages and manor houses. Tudor home designs are typically one and a half to two stories with second-floor cladding in contrast with cladding on the first floor.
Colonial
Colonial style house plans are inspired by the practical homes built by early settlers in the American colonies and elsewhere, which were based on Dutch, English, French, and Spanish precedents. These practical, family-friendly plans make entertaining a special pleasure. Typical Colonial style features include classical exterior styling centered on a columned entrance portico, sidelights and fanlights, and multi-pane double-hung windows with shutters. Exteriors are generally wood or brick.
French Country
Also known as French Provincial, French Country houses are inspired by the rustic manors found across rural France. Particularly impressive on large properties, French Country style homes also fit well into upscale suburban enclaves. French Country home styles range from modest farmhouse designs to estate-like chateaux combining rustic warmth of say, exposed wood beams with elegant European details like tall louvered shutters. Signature features include hipped roofs, walls of smooth plaster, brick, or stone, and arched windows and doors. Most French Country homes are two-story. More elaborate designs can include Georgian-style quoins, Palladian windows, Normandy-style turrets, and dormer windows
Part 2 Styles coming soon....
More of Real Estate Terms:
Types of Homes - Learning Real Estate Terms
Find your perfect home
Your Real Estate Connection:
Marina Gavrylyuk
Real Estate Agent with Sutton Group Summit Realty
www.MarinaG.ca
Bungalow
Bungalow design is an all American architectural style, but the name has its roots in Bengal, India, where single-family homes were called bangla or bangala. Bungalows were widespread in the early 20th century. Today's bungalows are one- or one-and-a- half story, with a front or rear porch connecting to a small garden, with low-pitched shingled roofs, exposed beams and woodwork, built-in cabinetry, and stone and/or stucco or wood siding.
VictorianVictorian houses are known for their ornate facades and wrap around porches. A traditional Victorian home plan may have octagonal shaped rooms or wings. Key characteristics are: high, peaked roof, wide front porch, long tall windows, steep staircases, contrasting pastel tones, and hand-carved “gingerbread” motif. Interior features include ceiling medallions, chair rails, crown molding, and plaster walls. Designs can range from the humble, plain, 1-story to the extravagantly detailed 3-story with a tower.
Italianate
Italian style homes -- part of the more general Mediterranean style - feature gently-pitched roofs with wide, overhanging eaves supported by large decorative brackets recalling the pediment shape of classical temples. The Italian style floor plan typically revolves around a circular staircase in a tall tower. Common Italianate features are the grouping of either straight or round-headed windows into threes or small arcades, and the placement of porches or arcaded loggias between the tower and house or at the corners.
Tudor
The Tudor house plan is easily identified by its exterior; diagonally placed heavy dark beams set against light, whitewashed plaster, and a patterned stone or brick chimney. Tudor style home plans draw their inspiration from medieval English half-timbered cottages and manor houses. Tudor home designs are typically one and a half to two stories with second-floor cladding in contrast with cladding on the first floor.
Colonial
Colonial style house plans are inspired by the practical homes built by early settlers in the American colonies and elsewhere, which were based on Dutch, English, French, and Spanish precedents. These practical, family-friendly plans make entertaining a special pleasure. Typical Colonial style features include classical exterior styling centered on a columned entrance portico, sidelights and fanlights, and multi-pane double-hung windows with shutters. Exteriors are generally wood or brick.
French Country
Also known as French Provincial, French Country houses are inspired by the rustic manors found across rural France. Particularly impressive on large properties, French Country style homes also fit well into upscale suburban enclaves. French Country home styles range from modest farmhouse designs to estate-like chateaux combining rustic warmth of say, exposed wood beams with elegant European details like tall louvered shutters. Signature features include hipped roofs, walls of smooth plaster, brick, or stone, and arched windows and doors. Most French Country homes are two-story. More elaborate designs can include Georgian-style quoins, Palladian windows, Normandy-style turrets, and dormer windows
Part 2 Styles coming soon....
More of Real Estate Terms:
Types of Homes - Learning Real Estate Terms
Find your perfect home
Your Real Estate Connection:
Marina Gavrylyuk
Real Estate Agent with Sutton Group Summit Realty
www.MarinaG.ca