Want to know more about the housing styles you can expect in the Raleigh area? Zillow has provided the following post for you East Meets South readers to learn more:
5
Architectural Home Styles You Can Find in Raleigh
By Miriam Bornstein of Zillow
By Miriam Bornstein of Zillow
Raleigh’s eclectic mix of architecture offers home designs for shoppers
of all walks of life. Because the city's architecture varies by neighborhood, you
may fall in love with homes in one community but feel disappointed with
inventory in a nearby area. If you’re shopping for a home in Raleigh, don’t get discouraged by the vast array of home
styles – focus on the plethora of options.
Below are five of Raleigh's most popular home architectural styles.
Craftsman/Bungalow
Craftsman-style homes are known for their elegant simplicity and handcrafted features. These homes are characterized by clean, straight lines, oversized windows and mullion work on windows, porches and terraces. Mullion work is a decorative accent that creates a division between units of a window, door or screen. You can also distinguish Craftsman houses by their transitions to outdoor living, incorporating large decks, recessed porches or terraces with wide overhangs for a shady hangout. When it comes to building materials, most Craftsman-style homes are built from natural materials, such as stone, cedar and wooden lap siding. Craftsmans are most popular in Boylan Heights, Mordecai and Five Points.
Cape Cod
If you've ever envisioned living in a house with a white picket fence, you've most likely envisioned living in a Cape Cod. Originally built along the East Coast to withstand the region’s stormy weather, these homes are becoming increasingly popular due to their historical charm and timeless appearance. The exterior of a Cape Cod is distinct, showcasing symmetrical shingles and windows, a central chimney, end gables and a steep-pitched roof. The Brentwood and Country Club Hills neighborhoods feature many traditional Cape Cods.
Modern
Modern houses are easy to spot with their contemporary architecture and stark living spaces. Breaking away from traditional aesthetics, modern houses are characterized by their boxy exteriors, flat roofs and industrial building materials, such as metal, concrete and stone. Most modern houses include large window groupings and bare walls. Gaining popularity after World War II, The Triangle holds the third largest concentration of modern-style homes after Los Angeles and Chicago.
Victorian
Have you seen those homes that resemble sophisticated dollhouses? Victorian-styled homes are known for their detailed exterior, elegant turrets and textured shingles, like dollhouses. Many Victorian houses also feature steep, multifaceted roofs, wraparound porches and vibrant colors such as yellow, green and blue. Victorian homes are among the most popular style of homes in Raleigh and are prevalent in neighborhoods such as Oakwood and Boylan Heights. In fact, Oakwood is famous for representing the only intact 19th century neighborhood in Raleigh, making it the first area in the city to be listed in the National Register.
Ranch
Originating in the 1920s, ranch-style homes are well-known for having low roof lines, asymmetrical design and attached garages to display America's increased use of automobiles. Sliding glass doors, that lead out to a private patio or backyard, are also common and are a direct contrast to the large front or side porches that were prevalent during the late 19th and 20th century. With an emphasis on openness, one sure way to differentiate a ranch-style home from the rest is by their long, single-story frames and exterior materials of brick, wood or stucco. Other key giveaways include minimal ornamentation and large, overhanging eaves. You can find ranch-style homes in Cameron Village, Wilmont and Highland Creek, to name a few.
No matter where
you decide to settle your roots, Raleigh is sure to offer you a home that
reflects individual taste and differences in architectural styles. Whether
you're living in historic Oakwood, trendy Fallon Park or residential Cameron
Village, you're sure to find a house that best fits your needs.
