Orlando custom home builders

Architectural Styles: The New England Colonial

At the end of the 16th century and the beginning of the 17th century, the houses in England had steep roofs, massive chimneys, and details that survived from Medieval period. The first colonists to North America, first at Jamestown and then Plymouth, brought this style of architecture to North America when they arrived.

This style of home was built in mainly the northeastern portion of what is now the United States between 1600 and 1740. Although the style in England changed, colonists continued to build this type of home, in some areas, as late as 1740.

This style of architecture is very plain but quite functional. The homes generally feature steep roofs with side gables. The gable is the generally triangular portion of wall that is between the edges of a sloping roof. In addition, the roofs had small edges, or eaves. Generally, eaves project beyond the edge of the roof to provide protection from the weather.

The house itself generally had a wooden frame. The exterior finish was generally clapboard or shingles. Clapboard, which is also known as bevel siding, lap siding, or weather-board, is a board that forms exterior siding that has one edge thicker than the other one. This allows the top board to overlap the bottom board.

For protection from the cold, New England’s colonists placed a large chimney in the center of the home. This allowed for heat to be brought to all floors of the home, even if the fire was on the first floor. The houses also had small, casement windows, some with diamond-shaped panes. These small windows prevented heat loss. The homes have very little exterior ornamentation.

If you are considering building a new home and would like to discuss the architectural styles available, please contact the Orlando custom home builders of BRC Homes at 352-383-1948.