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What's Your Architectural Style?
By Amanda Jones
What's Your Architectural Style?
Knowing the style of home you like can be helpful when looking for
a new home. The more information you can give your real estate
professional, the better they can serve your needs and get you
into your dream home.
Consciously or subconsciously, you are attracted to a home for
more than its square footage. You are drawn to a home because
of its individual character. Part of what makes up that character is
its architecture style.
If you were to take a home tour around town, you could probably
get a feel for when different neighborhoods were built based on
the architecture of the homes. During various periods of our
history, different architectural styles were prevalent with builders.
Presently, most new homes incorporate different aspects of these
styles interiorly and exteriorly.
Listed below are brief summaries of different styles of architecture:
If you've ever seen a photo of the White House, then you are
familiar with the Georgian style home. Built during the period of
1715-1790, these homes were inspired by English pattern books
and reflected the wealth of the owner. The exterior is marked with
medium pitched roofs with minimal overhang. The front door is
centered with a decorative crown overhead and bordered by
flattened columns. There are numerous windows with nine or
twelve panes in each. Inside the home, you could find large,
ornate cornices and trim incorporating leaves and shells.
Colonial homes take on the simplistic style of the original homes of
settlers to the United States. Common to this style are steep roofs
with gable ends, clapboard siding and small windows on the
outside and wainscoting and chair rails on the inside. A popular
variation of the Colonial-style is the Cape Cod, which is usually one
and a half stories with the front door in the center and two gable
(triangular structure) ends.
Greek Revival-style homes were built during 1820-1850. Many of
its elements represent the style of Greek Temples with columns,
gable or double-sloping roofs, and pediments over windows and
doors. The windows are usually square and rectangular with fan
windows over the entryways. The interiors are symmetrical as well,
with detailed woodwork and baseboards.
The Queen Anne, Gothic Revival and Empire homes are all
variations of the Victorian style. Popularized after the Civil War,
these homes were most popular in the South and West. With its
intricate shapes, elaborate trimming, and fish-scale shingles, these
homes truly reflect the Victorian age. Inside, the homes are finely
detailed with stained glass windows, elaborate trim and molding,
and side-by-side entry doors. Other common elements are
wraparound porches and bay windows.
The Arts and Crafts style, prominent from 1890-1920, was one of
the first styles native to America. It originated in Southern
California between World War I and II. Some of its features include
large porches, exposed stucco or stones, low pitched roofs with
large overhang, as well as tall narrow windows grouped together
to permit plenty of sunlight. The interiors have open floor plans
with built-in cabinets and furniture and natural fireplaces.
Similar styles to the Arts and Crafts home include the Tudor,
Spanish, Mission, Bungalow and Prairie. Recognized by its flat
roofs, metal casement windows and plain or absent interior
molding, the Modern style home is the catch all style for homes
built since the 1920s. This home design generally favors function
over style.
The Ranch home is probably the most popular variation of the
Modern style. The Ranch originated in California in the 1930s, and
became popular nationwide in the 1950s and '60s when it became
a symbol of the post-World War II American Dream. Common
design elements for the one-story home are its pitched-roof, wood
or brick exterior and built-in garage that shares the same roofline
with the home. It also favors a patio in the rear of the home in lieu
of a front porch.
About the Author
Author A.Jones is an expert in Real Estate and Finance associated with Dalzell Group. http://www.dalzellgroup.com
Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/27922.html
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