House Styles of Staten Island
Cape Cod- A one-story or one-and-a half story home. Evolved from the English or Irish cottage. Centrally located chimney, window on either side flanks the door and typically has a steep roof. There is also a Colonial Cape which is a larger home; typically has a formal dining room not found in smaller versions.
Colonials - A two-story home with a basement. Some popular types of Colonials:
- Dutch- Homes built of stone or brick, which feature gambrel roofs with overhanging eaves. Entry door splits into separately opening top and bottom halves.
- Georgian, Federal and Adam - Symmetrical, boxy homes with door centrally located and flanked by equal number of windows. Windows were never paired and could have shutters. Details and ornamentation differ.
- Greek Revival- Symmetrical and boxy; detail influenced by Greece and Rome. Entrance porch one or two stories high supported by columns.
- Colonial Revival- Interpretations of earlier designs. Paried windows, off center doors and porches are common; homes after 1950 generally include a garage. Includes the Side Hall Colonial (door is off center) and Center Hall Colonial (door is centered; living room and dining room are off foyer).
Tudor- Inspired by medieval building techniques, homes have a dominant brick or stone chimney, multi-paned casement windows and steeply pitched roofs. The first story is stone or brick; decorative half timbering accents the second floor.
Victorian- First built int he latter half of the nineteenth century. New building techniques freed builders from the tranditional "boxy" shape and factories produced elaborate decorative woodwork. Featured asymmetrical designs, porches, and lots of details (e.g. spindles, round shingles, railings, and brackets), so fanciful designs were common.
Queen Anne - Features towers.
- Shingle Queen Anne - More restrained; covered with wooden shingles and few decorative details.
- Folk Queen Anne- Simple homes built by local carpenters, embellished with details bought from factories.
- French Provincial - Features a steeply pitched, hipped roof and rounded arches over doors and windows.
Ranch- A one-story house with a low pitched roof. The classic Ranch's facade may emphasize the horizontal lines or have detailing (e.g., shutters, paneled door, window boxes) that mimic the colonial style home. A hi-ranch is a two-story built on a concrete slab, although some have basements. Door on first floor with garage; living area up a full flight of stairs.
Split Level - Multi-level with an attached garage; basement under living level only, rest of home on slap. Multi-level with an attached garage; basement under living level only rest of home on slab.
- Standard Split Level- Door is on the main living level, one level down is the family room or den and garage; up one level from the living area is the bedroom area.
- Tri-Level- Additional bedrooms built over the living level.
- Bi-Level - A two-story home built on a concrete slab. Door is located between the first and second stories. One level up is the living area level; the lower level has a family room and garage.
- Contemporary - Features low pitched rooms, large windows in unusual places and very little decorative detail.
