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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