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By: Tammy Crosby
The exterior style of your home is the fun part. It doesn’t
require any further calculations, just simply what appeals
to you. Most people prefer their home to be in harmony with
the surrounding community and choose exterior styles that
are appropriate to their region. To be safe, resale value
should play an important part in the choice of exterior style.
The five most prevalent styles in today’s market include:
Country: Nationwide this is by far the most popular style.
Characteristics include a large, usually covered front porch
or a wraparound porch, and a steeply pitched gabled roofline
that runs lengthwise. The roofline is often punctuated by
dormer windows and gabled wings, creating casual, informal
living. The farmhouse style home is typically a rectangular
or L-shaped home, often with two-stories. Horizontal siding
is the typical material for county and farmhouse designs,
although masonry or stucco is possible.
Traditional: This describes a multitude of classic designs
including Colonial, Georgian, Federal, Cape Cod, Saltbox and
Ranch designs each distinctly regional. Simplicity is a common
characteristic of all traditional designs usually with small-paned
or mullioned windows that are usually spaced symmetrically.
Victorian: This particular traditional-style home has strong
historical origins with very intricate rooflines and the use
of turrets, dormers, towers, bays and eyebrow windows. Ornate
porches are a prevalent feature along with shingles or narrow-lap
wood siding. This style is more appropriate for two-story
homes, although one-story designs with Victorian features
are available.
Mediterranean: Some view this style as traditional, others
say it is contemporary, regardless, it’s popular in
the Sunbelt states, particularly in California, the southwest
and Florida. The exterior is traditionally stucco and includes
tile roofs, broad overhangs, lower pitched roof lines and
open-air verandas, courtyards and covered porches or lanais.
Contemporary: This broad category embodies many different
styles and shapes of homes. Typically contemporary homes have
bold geometric shapes, large expanses of glass, and windows
that are not framed by shutters or other decorative trim,
and rooflines that can be anywhere from flat to low-pitched
to dramatically steep. Siding can be vertical or horizontal
wood siding, stucco or masonry. There are really no rules
with contemporary styles.
Other styles: although the above are the most prevalent choices
there are a multitude of other styles many homeowners opt
to adopt. These include Craftsman, European, Italianette,
French or French Country, Tudor, etc. Also certain locations
or uses can often produce a particular “style”;
narrow lots, beach, mountain or vacation houses are examples.
About The Author
Tammy Crosby - Editor, Dream Designs
http://www.thehousedesigners.com are independent architects
and designers who joined together to provide you the best
house plans at the best price.
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