Colonial-style houses are often square or rectangular in design, with the door in the precise middle and the equal number of windows perfectly reflected on either side. They are typically two to three storeys tall, with comparable, traditional room layouts. The main floor usually has a large central hall with rooms to each side: a dining room, living room, and family room. There may be an additional bedroom or study upstairs.
The first colonial houses were modest one-room structures built primarily of wood, with some stone or brick used for accentuation. As settlements grew larger, many new homes were built around a central square. These early townships had their own government officials who managed criminal justice, public health, and other matters relevant to society at large. They also made sure that taxes were paid on time so they could maintain the roads inside and outside of town as well as the church where they worshipped God.
As colonies became more established, their governments began to enact building laws to ensure the safety of residents. One such law was the 1661 Act for the Better Preventing of Fire, which required all new homes to have fireplaces in the living room. Before this law, most families lived in very vulnerable conditions with no way to protect themselves from the dangers of arson or lightning strikes.
There were also efforts made to make cities safer for women and children.
Furthermore, Zillow classifies colonial homes as having: Roofs with a high apex and little or no overhang; Wooden floors; Wide-open floor plans; and Large windows that let in lots of light.
Colonial style houses were most popular from about 1720 to 1820. Before then, they were called "country houses". After that time, they were again used as offices, hotels, and other such buildings.
There are different types of colonial houses. They usually contain between 20 and 30 rooms! Some have been completely restored while others remain largely unaltered since their original construction.
The typical colonial house was built using native materials like wood, brick, and stone. It has a square or rectangular shape, with each side measuring about 40 feet. The roof is made of slate, tile, or shingles. It may have a porch or balcony at the front entrance, a large open area surrounded by columns. There might be one floor or more than one, depending on how grand the family was willing to make it.
In addition to its architectural details, this type of house also tends to be very spacious. Each room has plenty of natural light thanks to large windows. There are usually four walls and a ceiling.
Throughout the colonies, Georgian and Colonial mansions were constructed. They were symmetrical rectangle-shaped houses. They often featured windows that were positioned both vertically and horizontally across the front. The interior of the house was decorated in a style called "Georgian." This meant that the main floor was made of wood, which was painted white or off-white, and the ceilings were also usually made of wood.
In addition to being beautiful structures, these houses were useful for protecting passengers on inland waterways from extreme weather conditions. When the wind blew into the river valley where the colony was located, it would be forced under pressure through the house, out the other side and away from the river. This prevented flooding and provided warmth in cold climates.
The colonies were not the only place where this type of house was built. Many wealthy individuals in Pennsylvania, New York, and South Carolina also owned ones just like them. But because the colonies had more space to work with, they were able to create larger homes than others could afford.
There are two types of Georgian houses: one with straight lines and another with curves. The curved version is thought to have come about because builders wanted to show off their skills or perhaps attract women with their handsome designs. However, this type of house was difficult to build so most people didn't have one built.
Copyright © 2020 - 2023 BindleyHardware & Co Inc.
