Popular Home Architecture Styles in Calgary
Posted by Justin Havre on Tuesday, March 5th, 2019 at 9:49am.
Buying a home involves making a lot of choices. For some people, choosing the architectural style is as difficult as choosing the location. There are many varied and interesting architectural styles. Knowing the difference between them can help home buyers choose the right home for them.
Victorian
The Victorian era lasted from the mid 1800's to the beginning of the 20th century. Victorian houses are noted as being multiple storey homes with a symmetrical form. They're known for their creative use of texture and colour on the home's exterior. Strangely shaped shingles and elaborate fretwork are common on these homes.
Victorian houses today can be expensive to maintain, as they come from an older time when insulation was less of a consideration. Still, people who enjoy maintaining an older house and who have an appreciation for decorative and elaborate aesthetics may appreciate Victorian homes. These romantic, spacious homes are well-suited for urban areas, as they can fit well in narrow lots. Many Victorian homes are being remodeled and sold as real estate investment properties.
Craftsman
Craftsman homes became popular in the early part of the 20th century and continued through the 1930's. With a focus on practical hand-made features like built-in furniture, craftsman homes were geared toward practical middle-class families. These homes are known for having deep porches, a symmetrical shape, a small attic window and thick columns supporting the porch overhang.
Craftsman homes are attractive and sturdy. They tend to be newer than Victorian homes, so they may have fewer maintenance problems, but craftsman homes are still older and will need regular maintenance in order to remain suitable for use.
Rancher
Popular in the 1950's and 1960's, rancher homes are known for being one storey, low to the ground and wide. These homes are excellent for people who are unable to go up and downstairs. Rancher or also called Ranch style homes typically have a subterranean basement for storage purposes and a one or two garage as part of the home.
Spanish Colonial
Spanish Colonial homes have a low-pitched or flat roof made from tile, and walls made from stucco. The windows are usually arched and may have grills over the windows. These homes have a distinctively southwest appearance, and are commonly found in dry climates. This style spread north from the United States where it became popular in San Diego.
Spanish Colonial homes can be large, sprawling homes or modest middle class properties. Many of them originate from the early part of the 20th century.
Moderne
Moderne homes have some of the same features as Spanish Colonial homes, including stucco walls and flat roofs. These homes were popular in the 1920's through the 1940's and have a distinctly Art Deco style. Moderne homes are an excellent choice for home buyers who enjoy contemporary styles. They are known for having a minimalistic lack of decorative features and square or rectangular casement windows. They are practical and at the same time distinctive.
Work With Your Real Estate Professional
Working with a good real estate professional can help you find the Bel-Aire new home you'll love. If you're a home buyer on the search for a home in a distinct architectural style, communicate this with your real estate agent. Your agent can help you focus on a neighbourhood or part of town where the desired style can often be found.