What makes a home a colonial?
What makes a house Colonial? Generally, American Colonial homes are simple and rectangular. The exterior is incredibly symmetrical, so much so that one side of the house is a mirror image of the other. Most Colonial homes are two stories, but there are some one-and-a-half story homes—these might have dormer 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?
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 is colonial house and what doors to use?
Whether welcoming guests at the entry or hiding the contents of a closet, traditional doors are a key element of period millwork. A six-panel door on a colonial-era house is topped with a transom of bullseye glass. Whether you live in a 1795 Federal or a Mid-century Modern ranch, count yourself lucky if your house has its original doors.
What classifies a house as colonial?
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 is the difference between colonial and traditional home?
The difference between Colonial and traditional home styles is quite simple; Colonial refers to a specific type of style, while traditional is a broader term encompassing many styles, including Colonial.
How can you tell if a house is a colonial?
Key Features Of A Colonial HomeTwo 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.
Why is it called a colonial house?
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 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 color were colonial houses?
Classic colonial paint colors include modest earth tone colors such as white, creamy yellow, almond, ochre, reddish brown, dark brown, beige, taupe and muted green. These colors were common because the pigments for the dyes came from natural resources such as plants, soil and minerals.
What is colonial-style decor?
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.
Why do people like colonial houses?
Appealing Architectural Features Look no further if you want a house that has automatic curb appeal. Colonial-style homes are detailed, aesthetic and well-proportioned. Many have tall white columns, balconies, large windows, elaborate front entrances and lengthy front porches.
What did colonists houses look 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.
Where are the most colonial houses?
Rhode Island's Wickford Village has the most colonial homes in the country. Wickford Village was established in 1709 along the New England coastline. Over the years, Wickford turned into a prosperous seaside community, creating the largest population of colonial homes in the US.
What defines a craftsman style house?
The common features of the Craftsman style include low-pitched gable (triangular) roofs, overhanging eaves with exposed rafters and beams, heavy, tapered columns, patterned window panes and a covered front porch.
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.
Why do people like colonial houses?
Appealing Architectural Features Look no further if you want a house that has automatic curb appeal. Colonial-style homes are detailed, aesthetic and well-proportioned. Many have tall white columns, balconies, large windows, elaborate front entrances and lengthy front porches.
What are the characteristics of colonial architecture?
Colonial Architecture Features Symmetrical Floor Plans & Exteriors. As mentioned earlier, colonial homes will typically have a rectangular or square symmetrical structure. Concerning the exteriors, most have a centrally placed front door with glass inserts or a frosted, decorative, or textural half top glass design.
What is Colonial home decor?
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 a colonial home?
What Is a Colonial House? The Colonial home is one of the most popular styles of home in the United States, according to "Better Homes and Gardens.". The Colonial style evolved from European influences, which started in the 1600s. Many colonists emigrated from Europe and brought those influences with them. Over time the Colonial style became ...
When did colonial homes start?
Colonial houses developed out of the US Colonial period in the 1700s. Colonists settled primarily along the Eastern Seaboard and built homes that became the Colonial style. They started as two-story homes that feature one room on each floor and eventually grew into the stately, four-over-four, two-story homes most associated with the Colonial style. Four-over-four alludes to the style of four rooms on each floor of the home.
What are the influences of the colonial style?
The Colonial style can trace its influences to England , from which most of the US Colonists emigrated. When London burned in 1666, several architects helped influence the city’s reconstruction. Andrea Palladio, an Italian architect popular during the Renaissance, influenced British architects like Christopher Wren, James Gibbs and Robert Adam, who helped rebuild London in the 1680s. Their architecture was based partly on Roman and Greek ruins, according to Antique Home. 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.
Why were Colonial homes built in Virginia?
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.
What is the architecture of the Colonial era based on?
Their architecture was based partly on Roman and Greek ruins, according to Antique Home. 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 ...
Which country adopted the Spanish Colonial 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.
Where did the colonial style originate?
The Colonial style can trace its influences to England, from which most of the US Colonists emigrated. When London burned in 1666, several architects helped influence the city’s reconstruction.
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 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.
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.
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.
How many windows are there in a colonial home?
There is usually at least one window on either side of the entry and three or five windows on the second floor, lending to the symmetrical look.
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 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 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.
What Does a Colonial House Look Like?
The most obvious attribute of a colonial home is its symmetry. 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 Is Meant by Colonial Architecture?
According to Traditional Home, the term “colonial” referred to the houses built by the 17 th -century European colonists. Like we stated earlier, the build was based on what they knew from their previous homes in Europe.
What is a Neo Colonial style home?
Neo-colonial style homes are the type of homes you see still today, lined up down a winding side street, perhaps interspersed with a few ranch-style homes.
Why did the French colonial homes have a second story?
This was in preparation of possible flooding, which was a regular occurrence in the hot, swampy region where they resided.
What style of architecture was used in the colonial period?
As a result, most of the architecture from this period blended many features of various aspects of all the aforementioned styles – but mostly the Georgian and Federalist styles.
What are the four over four in colonial style?
In later version of the colonial-style home, builders developed the “four-over-four” style, referring to four rooms on each floor.
What did the Dutch and English settlers use to build their homes?
For example, according to Traditional Home, English settlers built wooden cottages, while Dutch settlers incorporated stone and brick, a technique used in Holland – You get the idea!
What is a Dutch colonial house?
Here's What, Exactly, Defines A Dutch Colonial House: The most notable feature of a Dutch Colonial house is its broad, double-pitched roof that slopes fairly flat and wide at the top and then changes angles and slopes almost straight down, often with narrow dormer windows integrated into the roofline. This style, which came to be called ...
Where did Dutch colonial homes originate?
Dutch Colonial homes are called such because the style originated by American settlers hailing from the Netherlands in the early- to mid-1600s, and they continued to build this house style through the mid-1800s. You'll see this style the most in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, since that's where the majority settled.
What was the name of the early colonial house?
Ultimately, early colonial homes in the United States were vernacular—that is, local, domestic, pragmatic architecture built with native construction materials. In the area now known as Rhode Island, limestone was a readily available building material. Colonists began building houses they had seen in western England with materials gathered at the Blackstone River in northern Rhode Island. This style of house became known as the Stone Ender, as only one end of the house was constructed of stone—a stone extension of a massive chimney.
Where did the colonists build their houses?
Colonists began building houses they had seen in western England with materials gathered at the Blackstone River in northern Rhode Island. This style of house became known as the Stone Ender, as only one end of the house was constructed of stone—a stone extension of a massive chimney.
What is a Cape Cod house?
A Cape Cod house is a type of New England Colonial. Named after the peninsula where the Pilgrims first dropped anchor, Cape Cod houses are one-story structures designed to withstand the New World's cold and snow. The houses are as humble, unadorned, and practical as their occupants.
What did the American people want to build?
Americans wanted to build homes and government buildings that expressed the ideals of their new country and also conveyed elegance and prosperity. Borrowing Neoclassical ideas from a Scottish family of designers—the Adam brothers—prosperous landowners constructed fancier versions of the austere Georgian colonial style.
What is a Georgian house?
Named after English kings, a Georgian house is tall and rectangular with orderly row windows symmetrically arranged on the second story. During the late 1800s and first half of the 20th century, many Colonial Revival homes echoed the regal Georgian style.
What is a Spanish Colonial?
The term Spanish Colonial is often used to describe elegant stucco homes with fountains, courtyards, and elaborate carvings. But likely those picturesque houses are romantic Spanish colonial revivals. Early explorers from Spain, Mexico, and Latin America built rustic homes out of wood, adobe, crushed shells (coquina), or stone. Earth, thatch, or red clay tiles covered low, flat roofs. California and the American Southwest are also home to Pueblo Revival homes that combine Hispanic styling with Native American ideas.
Where was the first Spanish colonial home?
Augustine, Florida, site of the first permanent European settlement in America. The González–Alvarez House purports to be the city's oldest Spanish colonial home from the 1600s.
What is a saltbox house?
Saltbox houses are common in New England, and back in the 18th century, housed many famous pioneers and patriots, including the second U.S. president, John Adams.
What was the shape of saltbox homes?
Back in colonial times, many saltbox homes started as symmetrical two-story houses, but as families expanded, so did their square footage. One-story additions were built on one side of the home, pulling the original roofline farther down and giving these homes their distinctive asymmetrical shape.
Why are saltbox homes so popular?
But no matter how they’re modified, saltbox homes remain fashionable because they are classic and practical.
