In the nineteenth century, Victorian houses typically had unfinished cellars. If construction concerns (level of the water table, soil type, propensity for flooding) permit, Victorian style houses can have basements. It’s not hard to find plans for Victorians that do.
Is this the original basement of an old Victorian home?
As is typical of old Victorian homes, ours dated to 1890, the original basement appeared to be more dungeon-like than anything. Let’s head down and take a look. First room at the front of the house. Creepy right? Are those blood stains on the floor?? To the left of this room through the squeaky old door was another room in the front.
How many floors does a Victorian house have?
With the opulent undertones of the Victorian style, detailed floor plans were present in these homes. These houses almost always had at least two stories, often three. If a third floor was present, the home would have attic dormers and turrets.
Should you buy a Victorian home?
If you are into heritage homes, you may want to consider a Victorian. There’s much to learn about this venerable architectural style. If you are into heritage homes, you may want to consider a Victorian. There’s much to learn about this venerable architectural style. If you are into heritage homes, you may want to consider a Victorian.
What are the exteriors of Victorian homes like?
The exteriors of Victorian homes usually feature paint in bright pastel colors. Sometimes they are painted in a muted tone with decorative features painted in a different, bright color. Because Victorian homes were built on narrow pieces of land in a row, they are usually two or three stories high.
Does my Victorian house have a cellar?
After doing some research locally, although pretty much all of the terraced houses here are identical, they don't all have cellar. Most Victorian houses here just have a door leading to a pantry cupboard (cellarette) rather than a staircase down to a full sized basement.
What are Victorian house features?
Perhaps the most famous of all Victorian styles is the Queen Anne. Coming late in Victoria's reign, these properties feature especially heavy ornamentation, gabled roofs, rounded towers and large windows that are equally functional and decorative.
What is a typical Victorian house?
Victorian houses were generally built in terraces or as detached houses. Building materials were brick or local stone. Bricks were made in factories some distance away, to standard sizes, rather than the earlier practice of digging clay locally and making bricks on site.
What rooms would be in a Victorian house?
Opposite the hall, behind closed doors and closed shades, lay the showplace of the Eclectic Manse: the parlor, sometimes called the "the first parlor," "the sitting room," "the front parlor," or "the front room." Parlors of some type of "best room" transcended social class, economic status, or geographical location .
Why are Victorian houses so creepy?
The world had become a corrupt, dirty place, and Victorian-style houses were a physical manifestation of this stain; they represented the persistence of corruption and thoughtlessness that was thought to have originated in the Gilded Age.
What are 3 characteristics of Victorian design?
A Brief History of Victorian Architecture This style was characterized by symmetry, Renaissance revival style interiors, many small windows, and limited ornamentation. Victorian architecture rejected the subtle styles of the past in favor of a style that reflected the prosperity of certain social classes.
Do Victorian houses have foundations?
There were no foundations as you would understand one today. This is why these old houses move throughout the year and get slight cracking or widening of the mortar beds.
Do Victorian houses have cavity walls?
Builders and architects started to experiment with cavity or 'hollow walls' from early in the Victorian period. By the first decade of the 20th century, most pattern books for houses included examples of outer walls with two separate leaves of brickwork.
How do I know if my house is Victorian or Edwardian?
So, unlike the smaller, darker Victorian homes, Edwardian houses were more squat, wider and roomy, with bigger hallways and more windows. It's common for an Edwardian property to have a front garden and be set back from the pavement, as there was an ever-increasing desire for privacy at that time.
Why do Victorian houses have two living rooms?
Children and servants were relegated to separate spaces in the house than the adults, but there was a segregation of space even among the adults in the home by gender. Rooms were designed and understood to limit contact between men and women and to preserve power relations between them.
Why did Victorian houses have high ceilings?
The high ceilings of Victorian properties, like most design features, were another way to display wealth to visitors. Creating a spacious environment, high ceilings provided a stark contrast to the low-ceiling cottages and houses that were associated with the more modest abodes.
What did Victorian bedrooms look like?
The first distinguishing feature that defines a Victorian bedroom is that it would have a fireplace, unlike this room in both the period before and the period after. In the preceeding periods, inhabitants would rely on thick blankets to keep warm and later in history, on cast iron radiators and electric heaters.
How do I identify a Victorian house?
Some distinctive characteristics of a Victorian property are:High pitched roofs.Ornate gable trim.Bay windows.Two over two panel sash windows (supported with a single astragal bar on each sash)Sash window horns.Decorative brickwork (often in red)Stained glass windows.
What should I look for in a Victorian house?
Victorian homes were often built with Welsh slate roofs. These are a great feature but you need to get a full survey of the home to check they're in good condition as replacing like-for-like can be expensive. It's also worth checking the interior ceilings to see whether they have been updated.
What does a Victorian home look like?
The main structures were fairly simple, rectangular-shaped houses with low sloping or sometimes flat roofs that protrude quite far out from the exterior walls. The windows are tall and skinny, often rounded at the top, and there is trim, trim, and more trim.
How do I make my house look Victorian?
How To Decorate Your Home Like The Victorian EraConsider your colors carefully. Followtheflow/Shutterstock. ... Decorate with different fabrics. ... Add some fringe and tufting. ... Create a simple collection. ... Hang a gilded mirror. ... Line a wall or two with wallpaper. ... Replace light fixtures. ... Cover walls with fabric.More items...•
What were the windows and doors in Victorian houses?
Windows and doors in Victorian houses. In the terraces of the early Victorian period, doors continued to be placed on the same side of each house, but this had changed by the late Victorian period, where front doors were typically paired in deep recesses.
What are some examples of Victorian architecture?
London, Liverpool, and Manchester all have excellent examples of Victorian architecture especially municipal and railway buildings like Manchester Town Hall, and the stations of St Pancras and Kings Cross. Interestingly, St Pancras and Kings Cross were built by competing railway companies who chose different styles specifically in challenge to each other.
What were the major innovations of the Victorian era?
Few parts of the country were left untouched by Victorian industrial innovations, with ironwork becoming a key element of the built environment – from railings to porches, bridges and railroads. Improvements in casting meant even the simplest of homes would now have decorative railings or gates.
What was the largest glass house in Victorian times?
But the best examples were found in the parks and gardens widely introduced in the era – the most famous being the Crystal Palace, which sadly burnt down in the 1930s, leaving the Temperate House in Kew gardens as the largest Victorian glasshouse in the world, a behemoth of Victorian industrial ingenuity.
What was the style of Victorian front door?
In the latter part of the Victorian period, front doors were typically paired in deep recesses. Here, terracotta detailing is incorporated into the façade, beneath the upper window, and the roof features ridge tiles and finials
What were the short protrusions on Victorian sash?
Short protrusions (known as horns) were introduced to make the joints stronger and can be a tell-tale sign of a Victorian sash.
What color was used in Victorian ironwork?
While black is the prevalent colour today for ironwork, the Victorians originally used bolder colouring, like red oxides, greys, bronze greens, blues, or even polychromatic – black schemes only occurred in the 20th century. Historic Environment Scotland produces a useful Inform guide on historic ironwork.
When did Zach and I waterproof basements?
Zach and I commented many times how amazed we were that we never saw water. Not even a little. They knew how to waterproof basements in 1890.
What to do if you missed Victorian Before Tour Part 1 and Part 2?
If you missed the Victorian Before Tour Part 1 and Part 2, then be sure to check them out.
How to make a low ceiling feel liveable?
The ceiling was very low in this room, so all I did to make it feel liveable was to add a piece of quarter round inside each joist, paint the quarter round and the bottom of the joist and then I slid a ceiling tile cut to size along the inside.
Can you see the view of the wall from the outside below?
You can see the view of the wall from the outside below. You never know which room will “sell” a house, but I’m glad this one did!
Is hypothermia worth it?
The short lived experience of hypothermia was worth it.
Is an older home an asset?
I think part of this is because it often tends to be the last thing you walk through, and especially in an older home, is rarely considered an asset.
Can pvc bead board be used in a basement?
It brightened the room up considerably without requiring any paint or drywall. The pvc bead board is also an excellent choice for basements as you do not need to be concerned about mold or mildew. We also added a couple canned lights to brighten it up. Vintage Victorian Basement Renovation.
How to find Victorian style homes?
Check with public and private organizations when searching for a Victorian style home. Some municipalities have information on historic home organizations in the area. Real estate brokerage firms in major cities often specialize in heritage properties. Do online research on websites, like historic home magazines, for listings.
What does it mean to buy a Victorian home?
Committing to a Victorian means you will be part of the romance and history of a by-gone era. So, it’s best to have as much knowledge as possible before you embark on this magical lifestyle ...
What type of siding did Victorian homes have?
Most Victorians feature wood siding, but those rooted in Second Empire or Romanesque architecture will have stone exteriors. Expansive Porch. Many Victorian homes have a large, wraparound porch. Some feature the familiar fancy wooden brackets and spindles that we attribute to the style. Unconventional Shapes.
How did Victorian homes abandon the standard box shape?
Victorian homes abandoned the standard box shape by incorporating bays and wings at every turn.
What is the origin of Victorian style?
Origin of the Victorian Style. Victorian style is a reference to architectural trends that were born during the reign of England’s Queen Victoria. This era between 1830 and 1910 witnessed the popularity of a number of elaborate home styles that included Gothic Revival, Italianate, Romanesque, Queen Anne, Second Empire, and Eastlake. ...
What are the problems with historic homes?
Interior walls are typically lathe and plaster, which will require maintenance to repair cracks due to settling. Plumbing and electrical wiring can also pose problems unless they are brought up to modern code requirements.
When did Queen Anne homes become popular?
Queen Anne style homes became popular during the 1880s, taking full advantage of the mechanization of the time. These elaborately decked out homes reveled in their bright colors and flourishes of ornamental trim. In fact, this is the style most of us associate with being truly Victorian.
What were the floor plans of Victorian homes?
If a third floor was present, the home would have attic dormers and turrets. Cozy nooks were common in Victorian floor plans. The interior of the home tended to be unique and often rambling in its complexity. Multiple bedrooms, second-floor balconies, double doors, ornate stairways, and detailed interior trim are just a few of the typical features of Victorian homes and floor plans.
What materials were used in Victorian homes?
However, the materials used varied somewhat depending on the geographic region. This variation occurred mostly due to the availability of materials. Plentiful wood in the west led to many wood Victorian homes in this region. An abundance of clay in the east made brick a common material for eastern Victorian houses. To make a brick house decorative, builders often incorporated glazed bricks in different colors as accents. Ornate carvings of window sills and lintels often added character to these homes.
What is the theme of Victorian homes?
The overall theme of Victorian homes is superfluous and ornate with a desire for decoration; mere function was no longer the purpose of this architecture. Builders worked tirelessly to design newer and fancier ways to add decor and ornamentation to houses of this era.
What is the Victorian Age?
The Victorian Age: A People in Search of Themselves as Seen Through Their Architecture
What is the Victorian style of architecture?
These architectural styles have different features and characteristics that set them apart from others. Queen Victoria reigned as England’s queen between 1837 and 1900, and during this time, the Victorian style of architecture evolved from earlier medieval styles. Known for large and impressive designs, homes in the Victorian style were ...
What was the trim around the porches?
Ornate trim work around the porches included gingerbread cutouts and spindle work. Roof shapes became steeper in Victorian homes. Complex roof lines became the rage as architects worked to create designs that would pull the eye to the top of the house. Carved brackets at the eaves were common.
What is a small Victorian house?
Victorian style houses with a small footprint can be built every bit as economically as 6,000-square foot mansion, although it may be more challenging to find a contractor for your Victorian cottage than it is to find a contractor for your Victorian mansion.
What type of porches did Victorian houses have?
All the but the smallest Victorian cottages are usually built with wide porches, although you my not see them on brick Victorian homes designed for small city lots.
Why is millwork considered a Victorian style?
Fine millwork has an enduring allure. Because the Victorian style lends itself to a kind of picturesque eclecticism, many future owners of Victorians are drawn to the style because it fits their collections of art or vintage furniture. The Victorian style conveys wealth and stability.
Why do you like Victorian style?
If you have a Victorian, you probably chose the style because you love the fine millwork and intricate detail. Rustic interiors just don’t work with a Victorian.
What color exterior is best for a Victorian house?
In addition to aesthetic issues, black exteriors make the interior of the house much more difficult to cool in summer. Bright earth tones work best for bringing out the architectural detail of your Victorian house.
What type of house is best for a wide lot?
A stately Victorian style house can be the perfect use for a wide lot. Narrow-lap wood siding draws the eye to the house, not the lot, and any Victorian of a wide lot can be designed with the towers, bays, eyebrow windows, turrets, dormers, and porches with turned wood posts that are emblematic of the style.
How many square feet are there in a Victorian cottage?
Many Victorian cottages would have been considered tiny homes by modern standards. You can pack 200 or 300 square feet with beautiful detail that makes every square inch of your house an architectural delight. Plans for this size Victorian are not hard to find. Every building material and every personal preference can be matched to a Victorian building plan. It’s even possible to print a Victorian cottage, although there is a substantial waiting list at 3D house printing facilities.
Why were Victorian houses not designed like modern houses?
Victorian houses were not designed like our modern houses with toilets, drainage and damp proof courses to prevent rising damp. The Public Health Act of 1878 enables the local authorities to enforce some building controls and insist on improved sanitation for houses to take sewage by drains.
Why did Victorians build more houses?
Due to these reasons the Victorians found the need to build more and more houses to satisfy the need for a growing population which during this time had nearly doubled.
Why were bricks made in Victorian times?
Early brickmaking for constructing your house was done locally this is mainly due to the bulk of the materials and logistics of moving such vast amounts of clay and kilned bricks. Transporting materials was still moved by horse and cart so the bricks were generally made at or near the local clay pit.
How many bricks are in a stepped foundation?
The common method was the stepped foundation this was 3 bricks at the bottom with 2 laid on top of them then it would solid brick walls and later early cavity walls were introduced on top of this. There were no foundations as you would understand one today. This is why these old houses move throughout the year and get slight cracking or widening of the mortar beds.
When did damp proofing start?
Damp proofing courses were not regularly installed in any building construction method until the introduction of the Public Health Act in 1875. Three years later the Building Act of 1878 provided more detail with constructions- they defined foundations, damp proof courses, thickness of walls, ceiling heights, space between dwellings, under floor ventilation, ventilation of rooms, and size of windows.
What were the improvements in brick manufacturing?
Brick manufacturing methods had improved in all respects including quality accuracy, regularity and in range of colours available.
What type of flooring was used in Victorian houses?
Plain pine floors were used throughout most Victorian houses. There fixings were tongue and groove or face nailing was the norm.
What is needed for a wet basement?
With stone foundations and earth-floor basements, water infiltration is often difficult to control and a wet basement may require the retrofitting of a stone sub-base, drain tiles, a sump pump and concrete floor slab.
What is framing on a modest dwelling?
Framing members on modest dwellings are often undersized compared with more elaborate and expensive homes of the same era. Moreover, walls (sometimes structural) are occasionally removed or relocated to make small rooms into larger ones.
What is a cottage house?
The cottage or farmhouse, on the other hand, is a more simple, generic design that is often found with little exposed foundation, resulting in siding and other wood members being close to the ground. This type of house may not have a full basement; in fact, low crawl spaces or basements with dirt floors are not unusual.
Do farmhouses have wood decay?
The more elaborate houses of the same period that have full basements and taller, exposed exterior foundations, may not have the wood decay problems that face the typical farmhouse, but there are other issues to be aware of.
Can you fix a stone foundation that is not settled?
If so, repairs and stabilization may be needed. Although the typical stone foundation may not have settled, original mortar is often loose or missing. Careful repointing with a lime-based mortar, compatible with the original masonry, will be required.
Can plumbing be vented properly?
When these mechanical systems were added at a later date, it was often with compromises. Bathroom plumbing fixtures may not be vented properly, some rooms may not have a heat source, and wiring can be limited (and outdated) at best. Chimneys may not have clay tile liners, a potential hazard.
Can you use footings for a basement?
Footings for basement support posts or columns may be nothing more than well-placed stones. Wood support posts resting on earth or stones can shift, and/or decay, and new concrete footings may be required. This is usually not a major or expensive project.
Victorian-Style Homes
Origin of The Victorian Style
- Victorian style is a referenceto architectural trends that were born during the reign of England’s Queen Victoria. This era between 1830 and 1910 witnessed the popularity of a number of elaborate home styles that included Gothic Revival, Italianate, Romanesque, Queen Anne, Second Empire, and Eastlake. Victorian homes combined features of each of th...
Style Characteristics
- Queen Anne style homes became popular during the 1880s, taking full advantage of the mechanization of the time. These elaborately decked out homes reveled in their bright colors and flourishes of ornamental trim. In fact, this is the style most of us associate with being truly Victorian. But remember, when you look at any Victorian, you are actually witnessing a converge…
Important Considerations Before Buying A Victorian
- When thinking about investing in a Victorian home, you must first determine how much time and work you want to devote to a structure of this age. Many have been restored and modernized, but you will pay a premium for that luxury. Others are available in an as-is state, which will require a great deal of DIY work, commitment or the expense of outside contractors. Also remember that …
Finding A Victorian
- Check with public and private organizations when searching for a Victorian style home. Some municipalities have information on historic home organizations in the area. Real estate brokerage firms in major cities often specialize in heritage properties. Do online research on websites, like historic home magazines, for listings. Since this style was extremely popular for several decade…
Questions & Answers
- Question:What are the little porches called in front of the 3rd story window? Answer:They are either called porches, Juliet balconies, sleeping porches or small verandas. © 2013 Linda Chechar
Start A Conversation!
- Alexander James Guckenbergerfrom Maryland, United States of America on June 25, 2018: I love this style of house. Linda Chechar (author)from Arizona on September 29, 2015: sujaya, Victorian is by no means my favorite, but I do appreciate the grandeur and architectural details of the style. Thanks for reading and commenting! sujaya venkateshon September 29, 2015: i like everything i…
The History of Victorian Houses
- 1837 to 1901
Although Victorian homes were built during the Victorian era from roughly 1837 to 1901, they have less to do with Queen Victoria than their name implies. She didn’t usher in an era of opulence, and her policies didn’t necessarily inspire people to paint their homes in more cheerful colors than us… - The Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution made it easier to mass-produce ornate architectural details, such as spindles, and railroads made shipping metal and other materials to rural areas easier. As a result, architects had access to more decorative elements, which they added liberally to their designs. …
What Makes A House A Victorian?
- There are several distinct styles of Victorian architecture. (See below for more information on how to tell what architectural styleyour Victorian home is.) However, Victorian architecture has several common characteristics, ranging from ornate architectural design elements to large entertaining areas and small kitchens. While not every Victorian home will have all of these characteristics, t…
Types of Victorian Houses
- Victorian architecture shares the traits listed above, but there are several different styles within the genre. Italianate and Queen Anne, both technically revivals of earlier architecture styles, are the two most popular styles of Victorian architecture, but your house could be any of the following.
Where Can You Find Victorian Homes?
- You can find Victorian homes throughout the country, although they are perhaps most closely associated with San Francisco, where the famous “Painted Ladies” line the street. However, most American cities have Victorian-era homes, especially in their downtown areas and older neighborhoods. In addition to San Francisco, you’ll find famous pockets of Victorian-era houses …
Can You Renovate?
- Given the age of Victorian homes, you will almost always face restrictions on what you can and can’t do when it comes to renovations and improvements on them. Contact your state’s historic preservation office to learn what restrictions govern your home. Your home may also be subject to local ordinances, so check with the city, too. Do this before you start renovating to avoid issues.