Greater Chicagoland Home Inspection's new blog, "Life at the OLD Homestead" is meant as a primer for those interested in intricacies of old homes. I love old homes...I love inspecting them, I love restoring them, I love living in them. This is dedicated to that passion, and hopefully will shed some light on some of the finer points of these time capsules.
Determining the Age of your Home: Popular Home Styles
Another method to dating your home is to determine when the popular styles were constructed. One the style is determined, typically it is possible to find similar homes in the area that may have construction dates recorded with the township. In the next few blogs, I will develop a historical timeline and other information associated with specific details of each style of home.
The Georgian 1690-1830
The American Georgian was developed by the New England and Southern American colonies during the 1700's. The original European Georgians (named after King George), were stately looking with a classic Western and Southern European flair. The American version was a bit simpler. They were built of wood clapboard, rather than brick. The columns were subdued in comparison to the original European Georgian, mainly due to the lack of proper materials and the cost associated with them.
The Georgian Colonial, which is most common in the America, has a wide variety of styling, which at the time was dependent on the financial means of the colonist. Wealthy colonists opted for more details, while those with less money made due with cheaper construction and less ornate detailing.
The region material base often dictated the structure. Depending on the materials available, the structure was built to suit. However, the most common attributes are as follows:
- Symmetrical shapes, often with five windows across the front
- Medium pitched roofs with little overhang
- A center entry front door with panels
- Decorative crown over front door
- Flattened columns on each side of front door
- Divided window panes
- Dentil molding along the eaves
Interior decorative materials that were commonly used are as follows:
- Wood floors with Oriental rugs or pale stone or marble floors.
- Wallpaper with simple patterns such as trefoils.
- Intricate moldings, such as classical figures, urns and ceiling swags.
- Cotton floral fabrics used for both upholstery and curtains.
- Walls decorated with old prints and engravings.
Determining the Age of your Home is written by Greater Chicagoland Home Inspection, a St Charles, Illlinois Home Inspection Company. If you are in the market to purchase a home in the Kane, Cook , DuPage, or Dekalb counties of Illinois, contact us for your inspection needs.
Comments (0)Subscribe to CommentsComment