Residential Architecure

Following are some of the styles of residential architecture found in the Washington, DC area as they are described by real estate agents in advertisements, multiple listings, on and off the net:


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Colonial

Colonials have full second floors, generally placed directly over the first floors, with a variety of roof styles and decorative elevations and building materials.

Cape

Cape cods have a smaller second floor than first floor to accomodate the pitched roof, which can be solid as shown or gabled (shown to right).

Cape

Bungalow

Bungalows typically have a double dormer placed on roof level above the centrally located front door.

Arts and Crafts

Bilevel

Bilevels are normally entered through the basement level, where there may be a bedroom, family room and furnace/utility room. The kitchen, living room, dining room, master and other bedrooms are generally located on the top level.

Tudor

Most commonly, tudors have one or two front gables and substantial half-timbering.

Rambler (Ranch, Rancher)

Ramblers are homes with no second floor, although sometimes they can have finished attics. All the main rooms are generally on the entry level and there can be a basement. Raised ramblers have stairways up to the entry level.

Victorian

Williamsburg Cape

Contemporary

Split Level

General Architectural Information