When people search for types of houses, Some people look for architectural styles, while others look for building structures for dwellings.
Difference between Architectural style and building structure
Architecture style types of houses; are defined by the characteristics that distinguish a building or other construction from others in history.
On the other hand, Exterior walls, ceiling, elevator shafts, pilings, foundations, structural portions of load-bearing walls, structural floors and subfloors, and structural columns and beams, on the other hand, are all considered part of the building structure.
Types of houses according to the architectural style
1. Cape Cod
This house style originated in the 1700s in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, by the colonists from England when they arrived in New England.
The original cape cod design residences had wood siding, shingles on the roof, and a central door with flanking windows, just like today’s homes.
The only difference between nowadays cape cods and the originals ones is that recent cape cods are built with more space leading to more windows.
2. Colonial
The colonial-style homes are similar to the cape cod style. It all started in the 1600s when the European immigrant (these are the French, English, Dutch, Georgian, and Spanish colonial) influenced colonial-style homes distinctive over time. This style of home is a simple, rectangular, and symmetrical structure.
It is usually two-plus stories tall, symmetrical, a central stairway, and a formal, grand entryway.
3. Contemporary
Contemporary and modern home styles are usually confused and used interchangeably.
These homes are asymmetrical, built to allow natural lighting into the house through the large windows and sliding doors.
Many contemporary structures are designed using environmentally friendly materials and have natural and clean lines textures.
It has a more neutral color palette with pops of color added to the interior.
4. Cottage
This home style is usually cozy and charming, and it is smaller when it comes to square footage.
This home-style was imported from England, where a traditionally built home was made for working farmers. In today’s world, people buy cottages in the US and use them as a vacation home.
Although, some people do buy cottages as their primary residence.
A cottage has a wood siding or wood shingle siding from either brick or stone, has a small porch, a cozy fireplace, and small living spaces refers to as an individual character.
5. Craftsman
This home-style was formerly referred to as the American Arts and Crafts movement; it started in the 19th century and became popular in 1930.
This style is rooted in the comprehensive design and art movement. in the Industrial Revolution, where there was a battle for the preservation of handmade products and other natural materials.
Thus, this house style is a typical horizontal, sturdy structure made on the value of handmade, well-constructed architecture.
This building usually features beautiful hand-crafted materials, exposed beams, low-pitched gable roofs, along with a sizeable tapered column on the porch.
Built-in bookshelves and a hand-laid fireplace are also found inside the house.
6. Greek Revival
The Greek revival-style homes emerged in the US in the late 18s and early 19s.
The majestic columns that resemble those found on the Parthenon and other famous Greek structures make these dwellings easy to notice.
As one might expect, Greek democracy, mythology, and society inspired this style. Large white columns with Greek-style ornamentation, white or muted hues and a grand front door characterize these homes.
7. Farmhouse
primary residence in agricultural or rural areas is inspired by farmhouse-styled homes.
It is commonly infused with animal space referred to as a house barn.
This home style draws inspiration for its interior and exterior from literal farmhouses; it has tall ceilings, a large front porch, a central fireplace, exposed beams, and a rectangular layout.
Farmhouse-style house roofs are often barn-shaped, while some are not as on the nose. Its details are typically rustic, exposing brick and stone.
Nowadays, a modern farmhouse-style home combines a traditional appearance with sharp lines and other modern elements.
8. French Country
This house style was inspired by the places found in the countryside of France, like Provence.
Although it is a style of its own, it has similar features as a farmhouse-styled house.
This house style is made from stone with a pointed roof, shutters, stone fireplace, and a weathered look, meaning it has distressed wood and subdued palettes with pastels or dull colors worked.
9. Mediterranean
This style of home was influenced by the sunny countries along the Mediterranean sea.
These residences incorporate aspects of Italian and Spanish villas. It is sometimes called Spanish Modern. It focuses on indoor-outdoor living.
Thus it is mainly found in areas with temperate weather, such as Florida and California. It has wood and metalwork on balconies and windows, tiled roofs, warm wood and stone, and white stucco walls.
Mediterranean-styled homes usually have an understated look, but there are always splashes of color via gorgeous tile work.
10. Mid-century Modern
This style of house emerged from the Bauhaus movement after World War 2.
This style combines geometric and organic elements in a clean, well-organized design that incorporates an appreciation for nature through big windows and a combination of natural and synthetic materials.
The architectural plan was well thought out to be employed in residential buildings to transfer modernism into America’s post-war suburbs.
11. Ranch
This house style dates back to the 1930s, but it became popular in the 1950s. The ranch house style is known for its lengthy, dense ground profile with minimalistic interior and exterior decors.
Usually, a ranch-style house is a one-story building with low-pitched roofs, large windows, attached garages, open living spaces, large backyards, and sliding glass doors.
Ranch-styled dwellings come in various iterations, such as split-level, raised ranch, storybook, and California.
12. Tudor
Tudor was introduced by European architects during the late 1800s and was popular in the 1920s. Tudor-style houses first appeared during the Tudor era, which lasted from 1485 until 1603.
These asymmetrical houses include stone masonry, timber frame, traditional leaded windows, steep gable roofs and appear like something out of a fairy tale.
13. Victorian
This home-style was created during Queen Victoria’s reign from 1837 to 1901 and was named after her.
Victorian homes are usually two to three stories houses with ornate elements, steep gable roofs, brightly colored facades, porches, small towers, and bay windows.
Victorian ranges from elaborate styles like Gothic revival to a less ornate folk style.
Types of houses according to building structures
Below are some types of houses according to building systems you will find when searching for a home;
14. Apartment
An apartment is a collection of housing units in a building that are all owned by the same person. This means a commodity owns all the units in the building.
And the units are rented out to tenants by a landlord. Sometimes, apartments have convenient factors such as on-site repair workers, laundry, gym, etc.
In an apartment, the landlord does repairs and maintenance, and you can not purchase your unit. There is limited flexibility and freedom.
15. Condo
A condo is like an apartment; the difference is you get to purchase your unit.
Condo comes with all the convenience of a flat, except you being your landlord. You do all repairs and maintenance since you are technically the landlord of your unit.
The condo is ideal for city dwellers who want to own a home and pay a mortgage but don’t want the hassle of sustaining a single-family home.
16. Co-op
A co-op is referred to as a housing cooperative. It resembles a condominium or apartment in appearance and function; the only difference is the legal and financial setup.
Investing in a co-op entails purchasing a share of the corporation that owns the building rather than a unit. The amount of space you are given in the co-op depends on your number of shares.
The owners are officially the building’s shareholders, although they rent their unit from the co-op. When accepted into the co-op, you will vote on shared spaces, maintenance costs, and other fees split among the shareholders.
A co-op association can take or reject a prospective buyer base on their rules. It costs less than a standard house.
17. Single Family (Detached)
The single-family detached types of houses are trendy; about 70% of Americans live in this type of home.
Unlike condos, townhouses, and apartments, this property was built apart from other housing units. It is a stand-alone location, unaffected by the presence of other homes.
This type of house is mainly found in the suburbs. There is greater privacy and freedom in this type of home. However, it is more expensive to maintain and own.
18. Tiny Home
Recently, the tiny home has gained popularity. This house is normally between 60 and 400 square feet. Small homes are mostly prefabricated, while some are custom builds.
Because most of these homes are mobile and can be moved to different locations, they’ve become a popular alternative for single adults and couples looking for greater financial and physical independence.
Although these homes have smaller space and have less room for families to grow, it is cheaper and allows physical freedom.
19. Townhouse
This is a home that is privately owned yet shares at least one wall with another unit. It has its entrance from the street. A townhouse is a row of homes sharing one or two walls.
Townhouses are usually 2, 3 stories tall. Some are higher. Townhouses are different from condos because you get to own both the interior and exterior of your unit.
A townhouse is similar to a single apartment, with the exception that it shares at minimum one wall with another residence. Townhouses are popular in big cities with limited space, e.g., New York and London.
Sometimes, like an apartment, a collection of townhouses share amenities. Townhouses are cheaper than single-family homes.
However, there is less privacy in townhouses than in a single-family home, and it is difficult to change the exterior of a townhouse since it is being shared.
From the list, you can decide the types of houses that fit you best and narrow down your options before starting your search.
Getting a home of your choice can be difficult and tricky, so it is advisable to discuss it with a Realtor to help you gain insights and speed up your search.
