Architectural Styles

Throughout history, nearly limitless amounts of architectural styles have evolved from various cultures around the world. These variations of construction technique provide their own distinct structural and aesthetic benefits and add a level of uniqueness and flare to a home.

Perhaps the most common type of residential architecture is the ranch style home. Making its debut in the 1930's, the ranch style home is very conservative and efficient. Small in size and usually single story, they usually follow an L-shape or U-shape design and are known for the use of natural materials: oak floors and wooden exteriors (although modernized materials are used these days as well). A general trend with this type of home is that the number of interior walls is insignificant, as an emphasis on open floor plans is used. However, unlike many modern-day homes, the ranch style house lacks flare and style. It was designed to be an easily constructed, economically friendly house, not something to show off to the family. Because of this, they are often used as "starter homes," meant for new couples in search of their first place of residence.

A medieval style of home that has survived through the ages is the English Tudor. Like the ranch style house, the English Tudor is known for its simplicity and functionality, although it does have a few recognizable distinctions. As was the accepted standard in medieval times, the roof pitch on these homes is significantly steeper than modern homes. The Tudor arch is also a feature that has found its place in modern architecture. Unlike the Greek arches which are the more common style, the Tudor arch is pointed at its apex rather than rounded the entire way. Often times this style is implemented on churches, which stems directly back into history. Many older areas of the United States, such as Massachusetts, retain this architectural style from the early days of the Thirteen Colonies.

A more foreign influence, the Spanish Colonial style, is present in many areas of the country with a warmer climate (which is why it is now sometimes referred to as the California style). This style of architecture is famous for its use of stucco, which is similar in composition to plaster, as an exterior material. The roofing material is rather unique as well, for instead of wooden or fiberglass composite shingles or shakes, the Spanish Colonial style house uses Terracotta tiles, which are essentially hard, rounded clay. These tiles are usually a shade of red in color, accompanied by a lighter, tan colored stucco. A common theme amongst this style of home is the use of earth tones in the external materials. For warmer areas of the world that get less rain, this style of house works well, but Terracotta tiles do not handle precipitation well, thus it is not recommended for wetter climates.

Similar to the Spanish Colonial style is Mediterranean style architecture. Conceived in a similar climate, stucco and Terracotta tiles are predominately used, which once again maintain the earth tones. However, in some ways, Mediterranean architecture is a bit more elaborate than its Spanish counterpart. Rounded corners are a common structure, as are arches (usually similar in style as the Tudor arch with a pointed apex as opposed to the completely rounded Greek arch). Domed roofs are also popular in this style of construction, although not as common for residential buildings. Similar to the Spanish Colonial style in this regard as well, Mediterranean architecture is primarily found in warmer climates.

While there are countless other architectural styles, the aforementioned three have influenced architecture today the most and are still the dominant styles. Many of the lesser styles are simply offshoots or adaptations of the primary types. With an inconceivable number of variations possible, today's homes offer a unique experience, regardless of the architecture style that it boasts.