Most people are attracted to a home for more than its number of bedrooms and square footage. Whether consciously or subconsciously, you are drawn to
individual character of a home. Part of what makes up that character is referred to as architectural style.
During various periods of American history, different architectural styles were prevalent with builders. If you were to take a home tour around a specific town, you can get a feel for when different neighborhoods were built based on architecture of homes. Today, many new homes incorporate different aspects of these styles on exterior and interior.
The Queen Anne, Gothic Revival and Empire homes are all variations of Victorian style. Popularized after Civil War, these homes were most popular in South and West. With its intricate shapes, elaborate trimming, and fish-scale shingles, these homes truly reflect Victorian age. Inside, homes are finely detailed with stained glass windows, elaborate trim and molding, and side-by-side entry doors. Other common elements are wraparound porches and bay windows.
Greek Revival-style homes were built during 1820-1850. Many of its elements represent style of Greek Temples with columns, gable or double-sloping roofs, and pediments over windows and doors. The windows are usually square and rectangular with fan windows over entryways. The interiors are symmetrical as well, with detailed woodwork and baseboards.
Colonial homes take on simplistic style of original homes of settlers to United States. Common to this style are steep roofs with gable ends, clapboard siding and small windows on outside and wainscoting and chair rails on inside. A popular variation of Colonial-style is Cape Cod, which is usually 1 ½ stories with front door in center and two gable (triangular structure) ends.
If you've ever seen a photo of White House, then you are familiar with Georgian style home. Built during period of 1715-1790, homes were inspired by English pattern books and reflected wealth of owner. Inside home, you could find large, ornate cornices and trim incorporating leaves and shells. The exterior is marked with medium pitched roofs with minimal overhang. The front door is centered with a decorative crown overhead and flanked by flattened columns. There are numerous windows with nine or twelve panes in each.
