COMMON HOME & ROOf
STYLES
Ranch
This
style of house features one-level living. There may be a full or
partial basement. Generally, a garage is attached to the side of the
house. The major advantage is step-saving convenience. Ranch houses
are usually more expensive to build than colonials or split-levels.
But they are often easier to maintain than a multi-level house.
There are many different floor plans to satisfy almost every desire.
The most popular style is the straight side-to-side
ranch.
Split Level
This
style of house became very popular following World War II because of
the amount of space and utility provided. Split levels fall into two
types: side-to-side and front-to-back. Many split level houses have
a basement. The next level, usually at ground level, contains a
den/playroom. The next levels contain the kitchen/dining room/living
room and the final level the bedrooms/bathrooms. The attic area may
offer another kevek that can be expanded for additional space in the
future.
Colonial
This
style of two-story house has been a mainstay of residential
architecture for many years. These are generally well-built houses,
with many being custom built. Their main appeal seems to be the
spaciousness and elegance. There are many variations of colonial
style houses available. The colonial house built in the past 40
years may consist of a partially finished basement, a first floor
with a living room, dining room, eat-in kitchen, family room, porch
and powder room. The second floor contains the bedrooms and
bathrooms.
Cape Cod
This
very practical one and one-half story style of house has been
popular for many years, with most capes concentrated in the northern
regions. Many resale capes have been expanded over the years for
increased living area. Standard cape cods have a first floor
kitchen, living room, dining room, bathroom and a bedroom. The
second floor contains one or two small bedrooms. Capes are
space-efficient and seem to maintain their value over the
years.
Contemporary
These
"casual" houses are usually sheathed in redwood or stained hardwood
and come in many sizes and shapes. Usually found in resort or
second-home development areas, contemporary style houses are
becoming more evident in typical suburban areas. The most familiar
and popular contemporary style house is the A frame. These houses
are designed to fit into a rustic landscape. Many times, this style
features cathedral ceilings, large expanse of glass and decks
surrounding one to three sides of the house.
Bi-Level
This
style of house is also referred to as a split ranch. The bi-level
house is a modified version of the ranch house, with the major
difference being that the lower level is more out of the ground than
in the ground. Seldom is there a basement. Entry is often to the
center of the house, with the foyer being split between the lower
and upper levels. The lower area will frequently consist of a
built-in garage and a storage area. Many bi-levels are featured in
housing developments completed during the 50’s .
Victorian
The Victorian style of house was built in various
models during the turn of the last century. Home buyers appreciate
the architectural nuances of Victorian houses including large
porches and interesting bay windows. As with most older houses,
conditions and selling prices vary greatly. Those which have been
mechanically updated through the years and have been well maintained
may command premium prices, while those which have received less
annual attention often offer classic charm at reasonable
prices.
Townhome
This style of house takes its name from the
type of house which dominated the early residential development of
our early cities, notably the row houses. The townhouse, often sold
in condominium developments, is an independent structure, usually of
two or three stories, attached to another similar building on either
one or two sides. Townhouse sizes normally vary in width from 16 to
24 feet. This style of house is usually economical to purchase and
its maintenance needs and utility costs are lower than other house
styles.
Tudor
Tudors
and other English style houses were built during the period of the
late 1800's through the 1920's. The combination of stucco and
distinctive wood trim exterior provides the Tudor style house with a
uniqueness which is most appealing. Tudors are also noted for their
gables, large angular chimney's and slate roofs. Tudors are
particularly appealing to families with large space needs. Like the
Victorian, the condition of a Tudor will vary greatly depending upon
its upgrading and maintenance over the years.
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