1. A Bungalow
A bungalow is a type of building. Across the world, the meaning of the word bungalow varies. Common features of many bungalows include verandas and being low-rise. In Australia, the California bungalow was popular after the First World War. In Britain and North America a bungalow today is a residential building, normally detached, which is either single-storey or has a second storey built into a sloping roof, usually with dormer windows (one-and-a-half stories). Full vertical walls are therefore only seen on one storey, at least on the front and rear elevations. Usually the buildings are relatively small, especially from recent decades; although, early examples may be large, in which case the term bungalow tends not to be used today.
2. Tidewater homes
Tidewater homes have large porches (or "galleries") sheltered by a broad roof. The roof extends over the porches without interruption.
Features of the Tidewater House Style
• Lower level elevated on stilts or pilings
• Two stories with porches on both levels
• The porch often surrounds the entire house
• Wide eaves
• Roof is often (although not always) hipped
• Wooden construction
• Usually located near water in southern USA and the Mississippi valley
3. Greek Revival House
Greek Revival houses usually have these features:
• Pedimented gable
• Symmetrical shape
• Heavy cornice
• Wide, plain frieze
• Bold, simple moldings
Many Greek Revival houses also have these features:
• Entry porch with columns
• Decorative pilasters
• Narrow windows around front door
About the Greek Revival Style
In the mid-19th century, many prosperous Americans believed that ancient Greece represented the spirit of democracy. Interest in British styles had waned during the bitter War of 1812. Also, many Americans sympathized with Greece's own struggles for independence in the 1820s.
Greek Revival architecture began with public buildings in Philadelphia. Many European-trained architects designed in the popular Grecian style, and the fashion spread via carpenter's guides and pattern books. Colonnaded Greek Revival mansions - sometimes called Southern Colonial houses - sprang up throughout the American south. With its classic clapboard exterior and bold, simple lines, Greek Revival architecture became the most predominant housing style in the United States.
During the second half of the 19th century, Gothic Revival and Italianate styles captured the American imagination. Grecian ideas faded from popularity. However, front-gable design - a trademark of the Greek Revival style - continued to influence the shape of American houses well into the 20th century. You will notice the classic front-gable design in simple "National Style" farm houses throughout the United States.
4. Georgian Colonial Homes
Georgian Colonial homes usually have these features:
• Square, symmetrical shape
• Paneled front door at center
• Decorative crown over front door
• Flattened columns on each side of door
• Five windows across front
• Paired chimneys
• Medium pitched roof
• Minimal roof overhang
Many Georgian Colonial homes also have:
• Nine or twelve small window panes in each window sash
• Dentil molding (square, tooth-like cuts) along the eaves
About the Georgian Colonial Style:
Georgian Colonial became the rave in New England and the Southern colonies during the 1700's. Stately and symmetrical, these homes imitated the larger, more elaborate Georgian homes which were being built in England. But the genesis of the style goes back much farther. During the reign of King George I in the early 1700's, and King George III later in the century, Britons drew inspiration from the Italian Renaissance and from ancient Greece and Rome.
Georgian ideals came to New England via pattern books, and Georgian styling became a favorite of well-to-do colonists. More humble dwellings also took on characteristics of the Georgian style. America's Georgian homes tend to be less ornate than those found in Britain.
A bungalow is a type of building. Across the world, the meaning of the word bungalow varies. Common features of many bungalows include verandas and being low-rise. In Australia, the California bungalow was popular after the First World War. In Britain and North America a bungalow today is a residential building, normally detached, which is either single-storey or has a second storey built into a sloping roof, usually with dormer windows (one-and-a-half stories). Full vertical walls are therefore only seen on one storey, at least on the front and rear elevations. Usually the buildings are relatively small, especially from recent decades; although, early examples may be large, in which case the term bungalow tends not to be used today.
2. Tidewater homes
Tidewater homes have large porches (or "galleries") sheltered by a broad roof. The roof extends over the porches without interruption.
Features of the Tidewater House Style
• Lower level elevated on stilts or pilings
• Two stories with porches on both levels
• The porch often surrounds the entire house
• Wide eaves
• Roof is often (although not always) hipped
• Wooden construction
• Usually located near water in southern USA and the Mississippi valley
3. Greek Revival House
Greek Revival houses usually have these features:
• Pedimented gable
• Symmetrical shape
• Heavy cornice
• Wide, plain frieze
• Bold, simple moldings
Many Greek Revival houses also have these features:
• Entry porch with columns
• Decorative pilasters
• Narrow windows around front door
About the Greek Revival Style
In the mid-19th century, many prosperous Americans believed that ancient Greece represented the spirit of democracy. Interest in British styles had waned during the bitter War of 1812. Also, many Americans sympathized with Greece's own struggles for independence in the 1820s.
Greek Revival architecture began with public buildings in Philadelphia. Many European-trained architects designed in the popular Grecian style, and the fashion spread via carpenter's guides and pattern books. Colonnaded Greek Revival mansions - sometimes called Southern Colonial houses - sprang up throughout the American south. With its classic clapboard exterior and bold, simple lines, Greek Revival architecture became the most predominant housing style in the United States.
During the second half of the 19th century, Gothic Revival and Italianate styles captured the American imagination. Grecian ideas faded from popularity. However, front-gable design - a trademark of the Greek Revival style - continued to influence the shape of American houses well into the 20th century. You will notice the classic front-gable design in simple "National Style" farm houses throughout the United States.
4. Georgian Colonial Homes
Georgian Colonial homes usually have these features:
• Square, symmetrical shape
• Paneled front door at center
• Decorative crown over front door
• Flattened columns on each side of door
• Five windows across front
• Paired chimneys
• Medium pitched roof
• Minimal roof overhang
Many Georgian Colonial homes also have:
• Nine or twelve small window panes in each window sash
• Dentil molding (square, tooth-like cuts) along the eaves
About the Georgian Colonial Style:
Georgian Colonial became the rave in New England and the Southern colonies during the 1700's. Stately and symmetrical, these homes imitated the larger, more elaborate Georgian homes which were being built in England. But the genesis of the style goes back much farther. During the reign of King George I in the early 1700's, and King George III later in the century, Britons drew inspiration from the Italian Renaissance and from ancient Greece and Rome.
Georgian ideals came to New England via pattern books, and Georgian styling became a favorite of well-to-do colonists. More humble dwellings also took on characteristics of the Georgian style. America's Georgian homes tend to be less ornate than those found in Britain.