If you've set out on the search for a new home, you may have heard the term "elevation" come up a lot. In the architectural world, "elevation" refers to the overall style and look of a home's exterior.
You'll want to choose an elevation style that will be most functional for you and your family. New home building materials can save you money, but deciding how they're used can also be a way to spend wisely when building your new home. All this considered, you'll also want your new home to have a look you can appreciate for years to come.
In this guide, we'll give a quick overview of the different types of home elevations typically found in Canada.
his style of home was inspired by the British Arts and Crafts movement. The initial goal of the Craftsman home was to create a cozy, comfortable home that had trim work and detail.
Today, Craftsman homes are characterized by roofs with a low pitch, a gabled roof, and a large overhang. Many Craftsman homes also have exposed roof rafters and a front porch. The exterior of most Craftsman homes use natural materials such as stone or wood in combination with siding, hardie board or shakes.
Some people refer to the Contemporary home style as "Contemporary Craftsman", but whatever name you use, the Contemporary home is a very modern home style that emphasizes simplicity, clean lines with large windows without any decorative exterior trim.
Roofs can have a low pitch and may come with a large overhang. The exterior of a Contemporary home often uses mixed materials such as stone, stucco, brick, wood and siding.
Sometimes known as the Mid-Century Modern, this home style was first developed at the end of World War II as a sort of "rebellion" against classic architectural styles. The goal of the Modern house style was to incorporate modern trends for letting in light, with simplicity and elegance.
Today, Modern homes are known for having big windows, lots of open space in the interior, and the use of glass, steel and concrete. Contemporary and Modern home styles sometimes get confused, however Modern homes push the envelope by standing out from your neighbours.
Invented by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the initial goal of the Prairie style of home was to create a practical, beautiful space that blended in with the flat prairie landscape.
Inspired by the Craftsman, the Prairie has a long, flat (or slightly inclined roof), multiple windows, lots of horizontal lines, and an emphasis on organic materials such as stone, wood, and brick.
First appearing in the 17th century by English settlers in what would become the United States, the Colonial style of home was developed to suit their new living region.
The signature feature of the Colonial style is its symmetry both in the facade and gable roof. The number and style of windows are usually equal and evenly spaced and columns and chimneys are also evenly proportioned. Pills or columns are very common creating a grand entrance to your front door.
If you've ever seen or visited a village in England, then you've seen Tudor style homes. Tudor architecture is a type of British architecture with gothic elements, first appearing around 600 years ago.
The signature characteristic for a Tudor home is a roof that is steeply pitched with multiple gables and an exposed half-timber framing for decorative purposes. These roofs serve very well in places that receive a lot of snowfall, making them a popular choice in Canada.
Many Tudor homes have an interior space shaped like the letter "E" or "H" and have large windows on the front.
The Farmhouse style arose spontaneously out of a common home design that was popular with rural farms more than 100 years ago. The Farmhouse style usually has a simple, rectangular floor plan and is built using organic materials like stone, wood, and brick.
Modern Farmhouse homes are known for being warm, comfortable dwellings. Exposed wood beams, wood panels on the walls, and other organic materials are used throughout the interior. Many Farmhouse homes have spacious front porches that, in some cases, span the entire front of the home.
The Traditional home style is popular for its flexibility. Somewhat amorphous in nature, the Traditional incorporates the best elements of other home styles to create a comfortable, livable home.
Traditional style usually features a covered front porch, a front-facing gable, and a rectangular ground floor with a large attic space overhead. The exterior of a Traditional home is usually simple and straightforward, but the interior can consist of a variety of different floor plans.
The English Cottage style was first developed in the late 19th century as a smaller house plan that was very affordable. The Cottage style is quite similar to the Craftsman, except that the Cottage usually has a simpler, less ornate design and features a painted wooden exterior. Some Cottage homes today have a stone exterior.
Many Cottage homes have a curved entryway, a small covered entrance, and a cozy, intimate appearance.
House elevations have no fixed definition. Instead, they are general guidelines used by architects to describe the overall style of the home. Once you understand what styles are available, you'll be better able to find a great home that meets your needs.
If you fall in love with a particular style, this can lead you to choosing a great Edmonton home builder that has mastered that type of architecture. Get to know the builders we work with – you won't be disappointed.