Types of Colonial Houses
- 1. British Colonial British colonial architecture is the most common type of colonial architecture in the United States, making sense given that the United States was a British colony for nearly 200 years. ...
- 2. Spanish Colonial Old Spanish Colonial Zevallos House located in Guadeloupe. ...
- 3. Dutch Colonial A Dutch colonial mansion in Williamsburg, Virginia.
- 4. French Colonial ...
- 5. German Colonial ...
What are the different types of colonial homes?
- What is a Colonial Style Home?
- Colonial Style Home Characteristics 1. Exterior 2. Interior 3. Neutral Colors 4. Double-hung Windows 5. Steep Roofs
- Types of Colonial Style Homes 1. British Colonial 2. Saltbox Style 3. Cape Cod Style 4. Georgian Style 5. Mid-Atlantic Style 6. Dutch Colonial 7. French Colonial 8. ...
What are the different styles of houses?
33 Different Types of Houses – Pictures with Names
- The Modern House Are you confused about the difference between a modern home and a contemporary one? You’re not alone. ...
- The Townhouse Image Source The townhouse is tall, narrow and multi-storied, but it needn’t be located in town. ...
- The Ranch House The ranch house first appeared on the U.S. ...
What were colonial houses like?
What are the characteristics of a colonial house?
- Two Stories. Colonial homes are traditionally either two or three stories tall – never one story.
- Symmetrical Architecture. One key feature of colonial homes is symmetry.
- Symmetrical Floor Plans.
- Decorative Entryways.
- Pitched Roofs.
- Chimneys.
- Multipaned Windows.
What did colonial houses look like?
What does colonial look like? Colonial-style homes normally have a square or rectangle shape, with the door located in the exact center and the same number of windows reflected perfectly on either side. They traditionally have two to three stories with similar, traditional room layouts. What color were colonial houses?
How can you tell if a house is a colonial?
Defining Qualities of Colonial Architecture American colonial homes are simple, symmetrical, and rectangular. They are always two or more stories tall, with the staircase located in the center of the home. For that reason, the staircase is a prominent design feature, and is usually made of wood.
What is a Colonial style home?
What Is A Colonial-Style House? A colonial-style home usually has a simple, borderline minimalist rectangular shape. They tend to be two to three stories tall with fireplaces and brick or wood facades. Colonial homes are traditionally found on the east coast of the United States.
What were the 3 most popular architectural styles of the colonial period?
Under construction for more than two centuries, the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral is a mixture of three styles that predominated during the colonial era: Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassic.
What is the most common colonial-style house?
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.
What is modern colonial-style?
This style has an asymmetrical façade, small windows, and rectangular shutters and is built on one floor of wood. source: homelight.com. Colonial-style houses are famous for their classic architecture where we can find some common features such as it has brick or wood facades, a fireplace and has two to three stories.
What is Craftsman style house?
Craftsman-style homes feature a type of architecture that came from the Arts and Crafts movement of the mid-19th century. They are characterized by wide, low layouts, gabled roofs, open floor plans, wood framing, and front porches that feature support columns and exposed rafters.
What does colonial homes look like?
Colonial Home Colonial houses are built in a traditional style of architecture that dates back to the U.S. Colonial era. They are designed to comfortably serve as a family home, and typically feature a rectangular shape with gabled roofs, symmetrical windows, neutral color schemes, and flat exterior walls.
What did colonists houses look like?
Georgian Colonial homes were built throughout the colonies. They were rectangle shaped homes that were symmetrical. They typically had windows across the front that were aligned both vertically and horizontally. They either had one large chimney in the center of the house or two chimneys, one on each end.
Why is a colonial house called a colonial?
Riordan, founder of Spade and Archer Design Agency of Portland, OR, and Seattle. Evolved from the simple log cabin, these homes rose up in the days of the 13 original American colonies (hence the name) because they were “simple to build, efficient to use, and easy on the eyes,” Riordan says.
What is the difference between a colonial and Victorian home?
While colonial-style residences appear simpler and sharper in tone, Victorian-style homes are painted from vibrant hues to dark shades, reflecting the height of the 1800s fashion.
What is colonial decorating style?
Colonial-style homes are typically symmetrical in their exterior designs. These types of dwellings often have square or rectangular windows, low ceilings, and a simple layout. Separate rooms are common in the interior as opposed to the open layouts we see in modern houses.
What is the difference between Georgian and colonial?
What is a Colonial Style Home? In America, Georgian style architecture was referred to as colonial because they were a colony of England. In other words, the term is interchangeable.
What are the different types of colonial houses?
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. Below we showcase a series of different ...
What is the colonial house 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. Hence the name (source: Quickenloans ).
What is an example of a French colonial house?
The Manor Boucher de Niverville in Trois Rivieres built in 1668. Exterior of Château Ramezay in Montreal, Canada – example of a French colonial style house, Example of a French colonial house in the French colonial city of Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, India. Ho Chi Minh Presidential Palace, Hanoi Vietnam is an example of French colonial architecture.
How many bedrooms are there in the above home?
Above is a new home built in the colonial style in 1999. It consists of 3,477 sq. ft., 5 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms.
What is the most common type of colonial architecture in the USA?
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.
Where is the British colonial style house?
Above is a very classic British colonial style house in Nantucket, MA (a really great place to visit BTW). Notice the steep gabled roof, abruptly ending eaves, exterior shutters and the symmetrical rectangle design – all elements of British colonial architecture in the USA.
When was the white colonial home built?
The above white colonial home that’s narrow and deep was built in 1810. While colonial style was on its way out by that time replaced by the Federal style, the plainer Colonial style was still favored by many people. The above is a good example which is a classic colonial residential architecture.
Georgian Style
The wall material being visible externally is often a staple of the style.
Cape Cod Style
A simple, unembellished style befitting the groups that mainly used it back in the day.
Spanish Colonial
The evolutionary path to this style stemming from architecture typical of the Mediterranean during the Renaissance is clear.
Characteristics of Colonial House
Now that you know the different types of colonial houses let's discuss their characteristics. This will help you understand the fundamentals of colonial houses better. Moreover, once you know these features, you will be able to spot a colonial-style house from a mile away.
Final Words
Now that you know all about colonial houses, you can appreciate their beauty and elegance that have lasted for centuries. With the information above, you'll be able to recognize a colonial-style house in a heartbeat.
1. British Colonial
British colonial architecture is the most common type of colonial architecture in the United States, making sense given that the United States was a British colony for nearly 200 years.
4. French Colonial
Destrehan Plantation in Louisiana, built in the year 1787, is a good example of a French colonial-style house. It was renovated again in 1840, this time with Greek Revival architectural characteristics.
5. German Colonial
The modest stone cottages of the German Colony, Haifa, Israel, on both sides of Ben Gurion Boulevard.
1. Nantucket Colonial (about 1735) with Wood Shingle Exterior
A traditional British colonial-style house located in Nantucket, MA, is shown in the picture above (a great place to visit when you’re around)
2. Modern Yellow Colonial House with Black Shutters in Maine
Above is a colonial-style home that was built in 1999. It has 3,477 square feet, 5 bedrooms, and 3.5 bathrooms.
4. Red and Yellow 18th-century colonial house on the Kennebec River
Captain John Reed previously had an 8,000 square foot red and yellow colonial home in the 18th century. It is located in Maine, on the Kennebec River. The yellow section of the house is the original structure. The red portion is a barn that has been transformed into a residential addition. It’s a rambling mansion on a beautiful piece of land.
6. Red Front Door on a White Colonial (circa 1810)
The narrow and deep white colonial mansion pictured above was completed around 1810. While the Federal style had largely displaced the colonial design at that time, many people still preferred the simpler Colonial style.
What Exactly is a Colonial Style House?
These particular styles of homes are similar to the ones found in Spain, England, and other regions in Europe as it was the Europeans who brought their architectural influences into America. But it wasn’t until the 1800s that American architects and builders began adding distinctive designs, such as long staircases, to these homes. Since then, Colonial properties became part of America’s heritage and highly sought by upper-class families as it brought them an air of elegance and dignity.
How many floors are there in a colonial house?
A true Colonial house usually consists of at least two stories that normally have only one room on each floor, with the staircase located in the center of the hallway as a focal point. The front door of a Colonial home is usually placed directly in the front wall’s center so that it opens immediately towards the staircase area. The dominant design element of grand entryways is very common in Colonial homes.
What is a Neoclassical Colonial?
Neoclassical Colonial. A Neoclassical Colonial-style house in Groningen Netherlands on a sunny day. With the arrival of the 21st century, the more modern Neoclassical Colonial style homes were introduced.
Why were Spanish Colonial homes designed to stay open?
During the Colonial era, the windows of these properties were designed to stay open because of the hot climate. The additional features of Spanish Colonial homes were their inner courtyard and red roof tiles.
What is a Dutch colonial house?
Dutch Colonial. A Dutch Colonial style house in Paramaribo, Suriname. The most identifying features of the Dutch Colonial houses are their roofs. They consist of gambrel roofs that were introduced to America by the Dutch Colonists.
What style of house has curved or flat roofs?
There are also some Neoclassical homes that have curved or flat-roofed porticos or elaborate side extensions that take their inspiration from the 19th century Greek Revival houses.
What are the colors of Georgian homes?
Most Georgian homes are built with brick or stone, and the most typical colors include red, tan, or white for the exterior. To enhance the symmetry of the house, they are often accompanied with paired chimneys. Other characteristics include: Comfortable and spacious layout with distinctive and grand family rooms.
What is a colonial style house?
With origins that date back to our country's beginnings, Colonial-style houses have a restrained yet stately appearance. The timeless aesthetic offers a sense of history and an elegant look that remains popular today. These Colonial homes feature classic American architecture and enduring curb appeal.
How many stories are there in a colonial house?
Colonial houses typically include two or three stories stacked directly on top of each other. Historically, this simple layout made the homes easier to heat in the winter, a practical necessity for early colonists. Separate rooms, as opposed to open-concept layouts, and relatively low ceilings helped retain warmth more efficiently.
What type of siding did the colonial homes use?
When many Colonial homes were constructed, builders used local materials on hand. For the East Coast, that often meant wood, and clapboard siding became a regular feature on this home type. Although there are many more siding types available today, some modern Colonial homes still make use of traditional materials for a more authentic look.
What influenced the design and construction of colonial homes?
Regional availability influenced the design and construction of Colonial homes. As the style extended from the East Coast to the Southern states, brick began to make an appearance in these restrained home designs. In an effort to save on material costs, some Colonial houses feature only a brick facade with less expensive siding around the back.
Why do colonial homes have shutters?
Centuries ago, many Colonial-style homes were built with operable shutters used to seal out inclement weather. Today's Colonials might still make use of this design element, although it's more often just for show. Shutters flanking each window help establish a regular exterior facade.
What is the landscape of a colonial home?
On par with stripped-down details in Colonial homes, their landscapes usually lack conspicuous ornamentation. Many rely on geometric combinations of shrubs and trees as a restrained accent. The more formal landscape designs underscore the style's refined appearance.
What is the flourish of a colonial house?
Although this house is grand in terms of square footage, the single flourish is the arch atop the ground-level row of windows. The facade is otherwise quite flat and simply designed.
What Is A Colonial-Style House?
A colonial-style home usually has a simple, borderline minimalist rectangular shape. They tend to be two to three stories tall with fireplaces and brick or wood facades. Colonial homes are traditionally found on the east coast of the United States.
Where are colonial homes found?
This style seems to be timeless and well loved. colonial-style homes are most often found in the Northeastern part of the United States, though you may see similarly inspired homes anywhere.
What is symmetrical floor plan?
Symmetrical Floor Plans. Colonial homes traditionally have a central hallway with symmetrical rooms on either side. Usually the formal living and dining rooms are in the front with a kitchen and family room in the rear. The bedrooms are upstairs, and spacious attics are often converted to playrooms or movie rooms.
Why were colonial homes designed?
Each were designed by colonists from those countries to emulate the style of their homes in their native land. These varieties of colonial homes make up some of the most popular styles in many states across the country. If you like the look of a colonial home, it is fairly likely that you can find one near you.
What are the features of colonial architecture?
Symmetrical Architecture. One key feature of colonial homes is symmetry. The front door is always centered and there are an equal number of windows on either side of the door. The windows are traditionally multipaned with shutters in contrasting colors.
What is the floor plan of a colonial home?
The floor plan of a colonial home usually features the kitchen and living spaces downstairs with all bedrooms upstairs. There is usually either one central fireplace or a fireplace on either end of the home.
How tall are colonial homes?
Colonial homes are traditionally either two or three stories tall – never one story. They are rectangular in profile. These homes have steep roofs with gables. They are traditionally built with wood, stone or brick.
What are the different styles of colonial architecture?
The American Colonial styles including First Period English, Georgian, Federal, Early Classical Revival, French Colonial, and Spanish Colonial are familiar today thanks to the Colonial Revival and Spanish Eclectic styles which were popularized in the 1876 Philadelphia Exposition and continue to this day.
What is a colonial house?
The Colonial house style consists of many styles built during the Colonial period (early 18th Century) in America's history when England, Spain, and France had colonies scattered across what is now the United States. English colonies closely mirrored housing fashions of England although they were 50 years behind.
Where was the Parlange plantation house built?
The Parlange Plantation House, built about 1750 in southeastern Louisiana, is a classic example of a large French colonial plantation house.
Where were Dutch houses built?
This lavishly-illustrated volume provides an unprecedented look at twenty-eight houses (plus eleven barns and other structures) built in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries by Dutch colonists in the north-eastern United States, primarily in upstate New York and along the Hudson River Valley, on Long Island and Staten Island, and in New Jersey.
When did the first period of English architecture begin?
Early on (pre 1700) the First Period English style houses were based on the building practices of late medieval Britain. After 1700 the English colonies evolved their building style into the Georgian style. When the American Revolution arrived the architectural fashion evolved into the Federal style and persisted until around 1820.
Who developed the French Colonial style?
This style was popularized in the southern U.S. by popular southern architects such as Thomas Jefferson. Also, during this time the French colonies in Louisiana developed the French Colonial style and further west the Spanish Colonial style evolved. Both Spanish and French Colonial styles are very rare in today's popular Colonial styles.
Where is the Nathaniel Russell House?
Located in Downtown Charleston near High Battery, the Nathaniel Russell House s widely recognized as one of America’s most important neoclassical dwellings.
