Contents
What are the characteristics of colonial architecture?
Colonial architecture characteristics include: Symmetrical front and rectangular shape. Two stories. A lean-to addition with a saltbox roof (basically where the roof in the back of the house extends almost all the way down to the ground- the shape of saltboxes in the time)
How do you know if a house is a Colonial?
Colonial homes are generally square or rectangular in shape, with the front door placed in the middle of the house’s front. It’s a very symmetrical look. The homes are almost always two-story structures with four rooms on each level. Frequently the house will have a chimney on one end.
What was a typical colonial house like?
Similar to the homes colonists lived in back in England, they’re rectangular, typically two stories, and fairly symmetrical. They have steep, side-gabled roofs, which means the triangular portion of the roof is only visible from the sides; looking at the front door, you only see shingles.
Why are they called colonial houses?
Colonial houses are our heritage: physical evidence of the people who first traveled to North America and settled here. Today, “Colonial” has come to be a generic mashup of old and new stylistic elements, but real houses built before the late 18th century reflect the European origins of those settlers.
What is the most common colonial-style?
1. British Colonial Styles. The most common type of colonial architecture in the USA is British colonial architecture which makes since given the US was a British Colony for approximately 200 years. There are several sub-styles that quality as British colonial architecture.
Why do people like colonial houses?
Many modern Colonial-style homes aren’t as big as their predecessors but they offer generous living space. Due to their two- and three-story construction, they provide multiple bedroom options and several areas for socialization.
What is a modern colonial home?
We’re talking the 1600s here! Centuries later, it’s still a style modern architects draw inspiration from. Architectural historians typically characterize colonial-style homes by their symmetry, centered door, and rectangular shape.
What are the types of colonial homes?
There are many types of colonial house styles stemming from British Colonial (most common in the US), Dutch colonial, French colonial and Spanish Colonial. Within the US, different colonial styles of homes were built in different regions including saltbox, cape cod, Georgian and southern colonial houses.
What is the difference between the outside of a colonial house and the inside?
Colonial homes are symmetrical, with a centered front door and an equal number of windows on each side. Homes have a central chimney or one on each end of the house. Inside the home, a central stairway leads to upper bedrooms branching off from a central hallway.
Where did the style of a colonial house come from?
Several other types of Colonial homes have evolved from the original style. The French adopted the style as they built homes in what became Louisiana. These homes have steep roofs, elevated brick foundations and wide porches. Spanish Colonial homes evolved during the time of the Spanish Empire in Florida and the US Southwest.
How did the colonial style influence American architecture?
Those influences can be seen in the geometric proportion of Colonial homes and certain accents, such as Greek-style columns on the front. With the work of these architects popular in the 1700s, their work filtered to the Colonies and influenced the work of home builders in what became the United States.
What kind of siding was used in colonial homes?
Regions. In New England, the majority of colonial homes were built with wood siding, as the material was easy to come by. Colonial homes in Virginia, which is considered part of the New England family, were built primarily of brick because clay was plentiful. The style can be found as far west as Ohio and Illinois.
When was the height of the colonial style?
It’s a broad residential architectural style referring to houses built in the USA from the early 17th Century to early 19th Century. The height of the style was 1700 to the American Revolutionary War – which makes sense given the United States was a colony of Britain at that time.