A typical Pennsylvania Georgian home is a two-story stone or brick structure with a side-gabled roof and a symmetrical arrangement of windows and doors on the front façade. Throughout the 18th century and beyond, elements of the Georgian style emerged on buildings in Pennsylvania in diverse vernacular forms. These include houses with heavy timber framing and clapboard or shingle exteriors, as well as more elegant structures with plaster walls and wood floors.
The Georgian style was popular throughout the colonies and remained so even after other styles became established. It is seen in many American towns that were settled before 1750, such as Boston, Massachusetts, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Charleston, South Carolina. In fact, some claim that you can tell how wealthy someone was by looking at which style of house they had built. The most expensive houses were usually those in the best neighborhoods made up primarily of Georgian buildings. People used the money they made from trade to buy land and build these houses. Sometimes their children would continue to live there, but more often than not, they would be sold off one by one until only rich families could afford to maintain them.
Georgian houses were built with the best materials available at the time and incorporate many innovative design features. They feature double-hung sash windows, molded door frames, floorboards made of oak or hickory, paneling, and wainscoting.
Georgian homes are distinguished by their rigorous symmetry in both building mass and window and door layout. Hip roofs, occasionally with dormers, and window ornamental headers in brick, stone, or stucco (brick is most commonly used). The entrance is usually on the short side of the house, facing the street. The windows tend to be large, with five-over-five lights and shutters for protection from the weather.
There are several different Georgian styles, but all share these characteristics: heavy wood doors and windows, high-pitched gables, symmetrical facades, and central staircases with balustrades. The term "Georgian" also applies to other buildings that share these features, such as townhouses and villas. However, not all buildings labeled as "Georgian" were built during the period 1700-1830; some earlier and later examples can be found across England.
The earliest English mansions date back to the early 16th century. Before then, people lived in houses with many rooms, some even having separate entrances. Not until then people started making each room accessible from a single entryway, which is how we know what we think we know about "georging" a house - because that's really how Georgian houses were done.
In the United States, the term "Georgian" is used to describe all buildings from the period, regardless of style; in the United Kingdom, it is generally restricted to buildings that are "architectural in intention" and have stylistic characteristics typical of the period, though this covers a wide range. In addition, many American buildings with Georgian elements, such as statehouses, were built using earlier styles that incorporated some of the features found in Georgian architecture.
The term "Georgian" was first applied to buildings designed by the influential British architect Sir John Vanbrugh (1664–1726) and his contemporaries. Although most scholars agree that Sir Christopher Wren (1632–1723) had a significant influence on Vanbrugh's work, it is Vanbrugh who has usually been credited with founding the Georgian style. The style became very popular throughout Europe during the 1720s and 1730s. It was also adopted by several American architects, notably Benjamin Franklin Rufus King (1786–1858) and Ithiel Townley (1788–1865).
The Georgian style is characterized by simplicity, symmetry, clear lines, and formal gardens or open spaces. The main structural materials are stone or brick, but wood is also used extensively. The roof is often sloped to allow water to run off into gutters and downspouts.
If you are fortunate enough to dwell in a Georgian home and are looking for interior ideas, or if you simply love nosing about gorgeous homes, have a look at our collection of Georgian houses. Georgian homes are often ranked the most architecturally appealing property in the United Kingdom. These days they are popular again as people move back into urban centers that were developed before the gas engine was invented. There are now more than 8,000 georgian houses in England alone.
Georgian architecture is known for its clean lines, precise measurements, and functional simplicity. In fact, some scholars believe that the villa style, which evolved from the Georgian house, is the first modern style. The term "Georgian" comes from King George II of England, who was born in 1683 and died in 1760. He is best known for his reign which began in 1727 and ended with his death. During this time, he sponsored many architects to design buildings for him in London and elsewhere in Britain.
Georgian houses usually have three floors, but sometimes there are four. The ground floor is where the door will be found, along with any internal doors leading to other parts of the building. The first floor is where the living room will be located. The second floor is where the bedrooms are found. Attics were once common in Georgian houses but these are now rare because people don't like climbing up stairs!
Material and design Georgian architecture is frequently composed of brick or stone, which are mainly local resources because it was difficult to move construction materials across the nation before railways. Brick constructions are sometimes faced with stone to look more prestigious. They also have stone quoins. Two-family or duplex: two dwelling units that are either attached side by side and share a shared wall (known as semi-detached in some countries) or stacked one on top of the other (in some countries, called a double-decker). Each unit has its own entrance, but there may be a common area between them.
In addition, they used wood extensively for furniture, doors, windows, and even roofs. Wood is a renewable resource, so it would not run out any time soon! It can also be toxic if not handled properly, so care should be taken not to let children play with it or eat any part of a tree when it's grown up.
Finally, iron was also used widely in Georgian buildings. Most commonly, iron was used for door and window frames. But it could also be found inside walls where it would line the rooms or even serve as roof beams.
These are just some of the many different materials used in Georgian architecture. There are many more including copper, glass, and leather, but these will have to suffice for now!
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