Ariane Benjamin's Home Trends

Ariane Benjamin

ARCHITECTURAL VARIETY: A LOOK AT COMMON HOME STYLES

Just as with people, houses come in a variety of styles, with each distinctive version appealing to a different segment of the buying public. But what are some of the more common types of housing design? Different styles of homes are popular in different areas of the country, but the following are some of the most frequently produced examples. Cape Cod style homes typically feature a steep roof and have an exterior covered by shingles. Houses of this type will have a symmetrical façade and usually feature a large chimney in the middle of the house. Cape Cod style houses can be constructed with more than one floor, but a true home of this type is limited to a single storey. Inspired by the homes constructed along the East Coast of North America, Cape Cod houses are clean and simple in design without excessive ornamentation. Colonial style houses can come in a wide variety of forms and are designed to reflect the diversity of home styles produced in Europe. A Colonial style home can be reminiscent of housing styles favoured in Britain but could just as easily bear a resemblance to those found in France or even Spain. Houses of this type do have a few common attributes such as a squarish form with a sense of

symmetry and balance throughout. A Colonial home will be a two-storey structure with a portico or partially covered front door. Window shutters and large chimneys are also common features of this type of property. Spanish style homes are not as common in Canada but do exist, especially on the country’s West Coast. A typical Spanish house will be constructed using thick, stucco-clad walls with curved (barrel style) tiles on the roof. Originally designed to keep out the heat, they are usually quite energy efficient and are built using a low-pitched roof and with a minimal number of windows. Usually coloured white or terra cotta, Spanish style homes are noted for their dark wooden doors and windows. Georgian style homes have a British origin and feature odd-looking bricked-up windows (a holdover from a window tax that had been imposed on British homeowners). Georgian houses are multi-storey (up to four) and feature tall sash windows with multiple small panes, instead of large single windowpanes – adding a vintage look to the structure. Homes of this type are symmetrical in design and can include classically inspired elements such as columns or porticos.

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