Shotgun homes are typically one room broad (12 feet) and three or four rooms deep. The entrance door opens into the living area, followed by one or two bedrooms and the kitchen at the back. In the hot southern climates, all of the doors line up, providing a welcome breeze. However, this also means that you will be walking in the direction of any insects, snakes, or other potential threats.
There is no standard design for shotgun houses, but they usually have low ceilings and few amenities. Sometimes there are separate bathrooms for each bedroom, but more often than not these features are shared. There may be a laundry room, but it usually consists only of a sink with no running water. A garage or storage shed can be found next to the house for all of your yard equipment and pets.
Shotgun houses were popular between 1920 and 1950. At that time, many farmers used them as rental units or weaning houses for their livestock. These houses were very simple and affordable to build. Since then, they have become rare because developers prefer to build larger houses that are easier to sell. However, if you find one for sale, it might be worth considering renting it out and making some extra money.
A shotgun house is a narrow home common among African American neighborhoods in New Orleans and other parts of the southern United States, however the phrase has evolved to refer to similar buildings in general. Shotgun homes often have a gabled front porch and two or more rooms that are laid out in a straight line. The term comes from the fact that when the shooter aims across the breezeway into the next room, he or she is shooting through a hole cut into the side of the building.
There are several types of houses that are used by homeowners who do not have enough space for a full-size house but still want a place to live. Examples include duplexes and triplexes. A shotgun house is one type of small house that is perfect for a family with children because it can be easily defended against intruders. These houses usually have only one floor with no basement and have a door on each side of the house instead of one large front door like a larger house. They are typically between 1200 and 1800 square feet in size.
Smaller versions of shotgun houses can be found all over rural America as well as in some suburbs. There are different terms used to describe these structures depending on where they are located. In rural areas they are called "boxy houses" because of their rectangular shape with just the door and window on one side. In suburban areas they are sometimes called "turtlebacks" because of their resemblance to the shells of these animals.
Shotgun homes may have gotten its name from the fact that a bullet fired from the front entrance would pass through the house without striking anything and escape via the back door. Or perhaps it's because all the rooms in these houses are of equal size, like the shells in a shotgun cartridge.
There are two types of shotgun houses: those with separate boxes for each room and those with single walls between all the rooms. The former are easier to build but much noisier as each time someone enters or leaves a room, the floorboards or other parts of the house will be heard. The latter type of shotgun home requires more work to soundproof since you'll need to close off some spaces.
These days, the term "shotgun house" is mostly used to describe any house built before 1978. Before then, most houses were built with boxy designs that were less energy efficient than today's shapes. The popular square box style first appeared in the 1950s and has become the standard design for new homes.
The term "shotgun house" has also been used to describe any house that appears empty during wars or other disasters when people might be hiding there.
Light and bright galley "shotgun" kitchen with plenty of surface space and storage in cupboards below. It's also stated that you can blast a shotgun from the front door to the rear door, which gives the style its name.
This type of design is perfect if you want a large cooking area but don't need a lot of counter space. These kitchens are often built into the wall of a house or apartment building, so they tend to be roomy enough for any size crew. The open layout makes it easy to keep an eye on everything while you're cooking. A shotgun kitchen requires some serious storage skills! Cupboards have to be able to hold lots of dishes or else you'll never find anything when you need it. Also, make sure there are enough cabinets; if not, you might want to look at adding a few more.
A shotgun kitchen doesn't mean that you have to give up style. There are many custom features that can be added to this type of design including granite countertops, tile backsplashes, and stainless steel appliances. You can also choose between having a wood floor or concrete in your kitchen. Of course, these are just some of the options available when designing a shotgun kitchen. Your builder or architect will be able to help you decide what kind of custom features should be included in your new kitchen design.