A ranch-style house, also known as a Rambler, is one-story and low to the ground, with a low-pitched roof that is generally rectangular, L-shaped, or U-shaped, and has deep overhanging eaves. Ranch fashions include: The California ranch is the "original" ranch style, built in the United States before World War II in the early twentieth century. It features wide eaves with heavy timbering, horizontal siding, and a hipped or gable roof. The Texas rancher is similar to the California ranch, but it has half-timbering on at least the first floor and often the second too. The Utah ranch is like the Texas rancher, but it usually has stone or brick chimneys instead of wood ones.
Nowadays, these styles are also called American ranch houses. They are popular with families who want a small house that's easy to maintain and affordable to heat and cool.
There are several types of ranches. You can find them single family homes, multi-family homes (such as apartments or condos), commercial buildings (such as offices or shops), and even storage facilities. Some people call any house with just one floor an "one-story" house, but that's not correct. A one-story house can be finished completely or have parts that remain unplastered or unfinished. Also, some two-story houses have floors that serve only as a base for plumbing and other utilities — they don't have rooms below them. Such a house has three stories.
A ranch is normally a one-story house that may be elevated or split level to allow for future growth. With low-pitched roofs and a built-in carport, asymmetrical designs are prevalent (in rambling ranches). The exterior is made of wood, bricks, or a mix of the two. Interiors feature wide-plank pine floors covered with denim or carpeting.
There are several types of ranches: single family, double, triple, and quad. A single family ranch usually contains from 2,500 to 5,000 square feet of living space and can have up to six bedrooms. Double and triple ranches are often found clustered together in neighborhoods, and they can contain up to 10 units. Quadrangles are larger versions of trios, with room for four cars in the garage and up to 12 people at dinner. They're popular among empty nesters and small families.
Ranch style homes were originally designed for use by cowboys on the range; therefore, there are no closet walls inside the home. This makes the rooms open concept, allowing occupants to easily see and be seen by others. Also, since there are no storage closets, everything not in use is kept out in the open. This includes furniture, which tends to be very light weight and inexpensive.
The main goal when building a ranch is efficiency in design. If possible, the bathroom should be located on the same floor as the laundry room.
This house design is often known as a "raised ranch." The lower level is usually half underground and has windows. This floor has bedrooms and occasionally a laundry room or bathroom, whilst the top level contains a living, dining, and kitchen space on one side and more bedrooms and bathrooms on the other. The upper portion of this floor is raised above ground level, allowing for larger rooms.
The first house in America designed to be sold under factory instructions was a raised ranch built by Sears, Roebuck and Company. It consisted of kits that could be shipped to any location where they would be put together by local builders. The house was called the "Ranchex" and it was introduced in 1956. It was not a success at the time but has become popular again recently due to its affordability.
A split level house has two levels separated by a ceiling or floor joist system. The upper level is accessible from the lower level through openings in the wall or floor. These openings may be covered with drywall, carpeting, or another type of floor covering if they are not to be used regularly. Split level houses were very common before the advent of air conditioning because they are easier to heat or cool than a house with a single level roof. They are also cheaper to build and have less interior surface area exposed to the weather.
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