You can also make use of that list as an inspiration for your project. In some parts of the country flat roofs can be a problem and need continual maintenance. Perhaps youve got your heart set on a modern, contemporary, or even a Colonial-style home. As a visual contrast, a simple layout with distinct wooden floors replaced the old plain carpet. Before we dive too deeply into the types of split-level homes, its important to know the distinguishing features of split-level houses. If you are still stumped but updating your home is something that excites you, visuals might help you picture out what you can do. Photography by Tre Dunham, Fine focus Photography. A circa 1960's split-level enhanced by a 300 square foot addition, a re-configured main level floor plan and a seamlessly remade front elevation will be featured in a "Remodeled Home Tour". Try taking out some of the interior walls wherever possible. En cliquant sur Accepter , j'accepte l'utilisation des cookies telle qu'elle est dcrite plus en dtail dans la Politique d'Utilisation des Cookies de Houzz. 05 of 22 Beautiful Colonial Home Renovation One alternative is to re-do the exterior only; by converting the windows to a traditional colonial style (four upstairs, picture window downstairs). He loves to blog about construction, plumbing, and other home topics. The good news is that you can transform the floorplan to look like something out of this century. While the ranch will need more roof to cover the square footage than a multi-level house, the roof lines of a ranch are cheaper to construct, so youre still coming out ahead overall. There are many sub types of the Colonial style, with each world power at the time putting its own unique stamp on this traditional style. Opendoor: How Much Will It Pay For My Home. Raised ranch homes flip the expected configuration upside-down. Stucco is the most common material used to achieve this look, and thankfully, its not very difficult to stucco over many existing exterior siding products, such as T1-11. [Kitchen] And if those are no longer in production, good luck with how youre going to make it blend in with the rest of your home. Despite all that youve read about them being outdated, split-level houses do have some positives to them. In the case of side additions, it is vital that it blends with the existing faade, which means getting the same windows, paint color, type of roof, etc. The ranch has no stairs, the entire house is on one level. We designed the rest of the space to be a clean and bright white, and really let the lovely blue of the floor tile pop. The entire house was remodeled, plus we designed a screened porch and patio / fire pit for the rear yard. Instead of a centralized heating and cooling system, consider having separate thermostats for the spots known to be cooler or hotter than the rest of your home. Unlike standard split homes, there isnt a functioning middle level with split foyer houses. Now that youve learned a bit more about the pros and cons of each type of home style, you can make a more informed decision when you go out and look at listings. The types of siding that are typical on this style are generally wood and high maintenance,it can be replaced with hardy board which is less maintenance. Open front porches and stone features are common on the craftsman. Whether youre looking to buy or build a home from scratch, you likely have a specific architectural style in mind. At the same time, these homes are also in the current sweet spot for in-town renovations because of their location on the growth rings of cities. bi-level exterior remodeling | Bi-level converted to a colonial style home traditional-exterior Raised Ranch Entryway Raised Ranch Exterior Exterior House Remodel Home Exterior Makeover House Siding Choices Split Level House Exterior Split Entry Remodel Split Foyer Colonial Style Homes More information . Read This Before You Pay For a Flat Fee MLS Service. The separation of the floors means that youll be less likely to be awakened by the sounds happening on the lower levels. The floor tile in this bathroom still makes our hearts skip a beat. Functionally, the client sought to replace a single-car carport with a new oversized two-car garage and to create a protected entry porch for their home. Ranches tend to be easier to maintainparticularly on the outside. Another common complaint about the ranch style of home is that the outside can tend to have a boring, lackluster appeal. Even better, adding a skylight has a ton of benefits from every aspect: economical, functional, and aesthetic. This type of split-level house will have at least three sections but may have more. After all, you dont have to spend a single cent for it. Its much easier to move things in and out of the house when everything is on one level. A split level home is often a great investment, and there are lots of pros to buying one. Split-level homes can be beneficial for those who are light sleepers easily awakened by noise or night shift workers who sleep during the day. The original use of the cottage was to house agricultural workers on a farm. Many saw what was happening as a devaluation of human labor and an emphasis on mass production rather than individualism and hand-crafted items. If possible, have your skylights customized to fit the theme of your home to complement the entire space. Whats not to love about a split-level home? You should know the various types of split-level homes before you can consider buying or building one of your own. [Our Clients] Homes with two stories, or two-story homes, are built with one floor right above the other. As a result, their homes look even more unbalanced and the new additions are blatantly obvious not a look you should strive for. The raised ranch homes and split levels became popular in the 1960s and apparently, were still being built in the 1980s. The second exterior wall surface, which can make a huge impact and is easily retrofitted, is a natural stone of some sort. Consider all of the pros and cons of the different types of split-level homes before making a final decision. Most types of split-level houses will feature several staircases that lead to the different levels of the house. Here are some concepts and ideas you can use for your own home. But times have changed, and modern garage door designs can transform the look of the front of your home. Or, maybe youre considering one of many types of split-level homes. This information makes it easier to coordinate with pros. This Plain Jane split foyer was given more than a facelift, it was given a whole new second-floor by constructing an addition changing its style to a Colonial. What makes split-level homes a pain to transform is because of the limits involved. But again, you need to visualize how the exterior will connect to and complement whats inside your home, including the functions of each level. A split-level home, which is also known as a tri-level home, traditionally consists of the following: While the standard split-level home only consists of three levels, others sometimes add another floor to it. The shutters on the windows were originally used to protect the windows from the wind during a storm and the ceilings are kept low to maximize heat conservation. Split Levels and Split Foyers became popular in the United States in the 1970s. Taken fromhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE7jN7ofmeI. Look for ideas in your neighborhood. All rights reserved. Sadly, youre limited to these three choices. The advantage to split entry houses is the spacious design that offers plenty of room for larger families or those who entertain often. To even out the temperature all over your home, you can get furnace fans installed and get them to run at a low setting. Colonial Home Style The colonial style is associated with the style of building used from the 17th to the 19th century, particularly in colonial America. Connect with top-rated agents near you and save thousands on commission fees. That is, the middle and largest level is for the dining and living areas, the upper floor is for bedrooms, and the lowest floor is for the garage or cellar. They were an off-shoot of the post-war modern movement. If you want to change the look of your home on the outside, even without doing much work on the interiors, dont worry you have some safe options available. Although this will lead to inconvenience when moving around your home, you can also get doors placed on each level to maintain the set temperature. You are almost done - fill out this last step, Main entryway or door located at the middle level (often the part of the house with the single-story), or in-between the upper and lower levels (this style is also known as the split-entry home), The lower level is often the garage or an informal entertainment or recreational space, The middle level is the main living space that typically contains the living room, dining room, and kitchen, The higher floor is where bedrooms are located, How the rooms and functional spaces are divided in each level, Narrow passageways and very limited space near the main entrance (if the home incorporates the split-entry style), Minimal lights and details that are typical to this kind of home, Limited storage spaces, cabinets, and closets, Presence of cold and hot spots in certain areas of your home. You just have less freedom to do whatever you want with it and you need to generally work with whats already there. In todays world many people find the formal areas of a colonial to be a waste of space. You can use plants, tall furniture, and decorative partitions. We added a new garage, laundry, master bedroom and bath and 1/2 guest bath on that same level. The original kitchen had been on the small side and cut-off from the rest of the home, but after we removed the coat closet, this kitchen opened up beautifully. She grew up surrounded by constant home improvement projects and owes most of what she knows to helping her dad renovate her childhood home. The story and a is my favorite, especially if the children in the house are a bit older and dont need to be close to the adults,or if you have out of town company. Many homeowners concentrate on remodeling the inside of their home and neglect to work on the exteriors as well. We store towels, medicine, toiletry supplies, first-aid gear, massage devices, facial steamers, spare Painting your garage is a great way to improve the look of the space and make the walls easier to clean. Add a deck or patio, or even extend your house if space permits. Keep in mind that the costs could be elevated from a standard renovation project because of the potential removal of walls and their load-bearing implications. Consider this if you are more concerned about maintaining an even temperature in your home than the expenses that it can lead to. Taking inspiration from the typical ranch home, split-level homes were designed to maximize the very limited space available in suburban neighborhoods, while being budget-friendly for families to afford or construct. Nowadays, its very common to see split-level construction when it comes to building a home on the side of a hill. The lower demand in most markets means that they are readily available for a cheaper price than other types of homes. This type of split-level home boasts four or five levels and numerous sets of stairs. Now we know why Art Deco is popular in Miami! Light can be the biggest factor in transforming a split-level home from an outdated space into one that looks fresh and modern. The Colonial-style renovation upgraded the plain portico into a spacious covered porch, which allows room for plenty of outdoor furniture. However, the major disadvantage is the fact that you must climb multiple sets of stairs to reach each individual level of the home. fiber cement siding painted Cleveland Green (7" siding), Sweet Vibrations (4" siding), and Texas Leather (11" siding)all by Benjamin Moore window trim and clerestory band painted Night Horizon by Benjamin Moore soffit & fascia painted Camouflage by Benjamin Moore. From the outside, this type of split-level house looks like a tri-level home but its technically bi-level, with a distinct wing for the entry. Then, the middle level is where the majority of the entertaining and living happens. And many of them are Colonial style, meaning that they feature grids that divide the window into 12 or more small lites, rather than larger panes of glass. There are some things designers typically focus on to make significant changes to this type of home, such as: If you are thinking of modifying your home but dont really have a clue where to start and how to do it, we can help you out with that. T1-11 siding (plywood sheets with vertical grooves spaced 8 inches apart) is common on the upper levels, and the upper floors tend to be cantilevered out over the structural walls below. Updating the look and feel of your home, including the appliances like those in the kitchen above, will dramatically change the interiors. Landscaping is new. Because of their design, split-level homes can struggle to get an ample amount of natural light. #OvercomingObstaclesScholarship: Lets Put Mental Health on the Agenda and Change the Narrative on Social Media Together! Making the lights more uniform and using a warmer paint color also made it look more inviting. The major disadvantage to split-level homes is the staircases that youll have to climb. Notice the symmetry and 2 level design. They are close to town, and they have a reasonable cost basis, due to their older look. Moreover, the proper windows can play an integral role in the energy-efficiency of your home. Once you see the possibilities and start looking at the changes that can be made, youll realize that a split-level may have more potential to look great in decades to come than almost any other old-school design out there. [Hall Bathroom] The garage is usually the first to attract the attention of anyone who looks at this type of home, since its door takes a lot of space. To remedy this, you can install more lights all over your home; LED light is always better because it is brighter but doesnt consume much electricity. This type of construction is very common among townhouses. Just because updating or remodeling this type of home is challenging doesnt mean it is impossible. The reason is to prevent on-foot postal carriers from having to climb stairs to deliver the mail. And thats probably because so many of them were built during the 1970s. Side split homes are one of the most common types of split-level houses and are the specific style portrayed on the classic TV show The Brady Bunch.. Another advantage is having the front door be level with the sidewalk outside. We continued the warm wood touches into the master bedroom, but went for a rich accent wall that elevated the sophistication level and sets this space apart. While some styles create space with doors, the colonial does it with staircase. Now that we are living in them, what are some split level strategies that we can use to improve the experience. But you might be struggling to figure out what kind of paint to use on garage walls. Although only minimal work was done on this home, primarily with a fresh coat of paint and better landscaping, you can see how these seemingly simple works already made a huge difference to it. Many have garages and basements, and some have both. Taken fromhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHaeHzf4iBU. There is also hardly any room for experimentation when it comes to remodeling a tri-level home. Clients goal was to update the main floor and allow more natural light into this small-footprint home. Changing the aesthetic of the exterior of your split-level can come down to some very simplistic changes. So, that means sprucing up the curb appeal becomes important. You can place bedrooms on the top floor or at the ground level, put your laundry area in the basement, have your living room at a floor somewhere above the ground level, and the entertainment room on the floor below it, and more. After all, this is what split-level homes are known for. The south roof slope of the home hosts a large solar array, barely visible here. We were so excited to help these new homeowners re-envision their split-level diamond in the rough. The more steps you have, the more difficult snow removal is going to be in the winter months. Add A Level to Convert Ranch to Colonial Convert a Cape or Ranch to Colonial As a general contractor I had the chance to renovate many homes in the lovely state of Connecticut, but nothing beats the wow factor you receive whenever you convert a single story cape or ranch into a beautiful colonial. The outdatedness of a split-level home isnt specific to the interior. Another great garage door style on a modern home is a wood-look door. But if extending your home is not a viable option for you, the next best thing is to gut existing rooms or sections to make certain areas bigger. The predominant surface is generally smooth and clean. On the other hand, this is not something you can do with split-level homes. Most split-level homes that have never been updated retain the retro vibe from more than half a century ago it makes the entire house look like it should have stayed on that era. Brokerage. You can divert and make your main door or entryway as the focal point of your faade by installing an eye-catching front entry. What Companies Offer the Lowest Real Estate Fees? Contrast is key for on-trend style. However, like most things, split-level homes are gaining in popularity again. ton of options for the open space in the middle. Check out another split-level project by Jones Pierce Studios: https://jonespierce.com/marietta-split-level-facelift/, 400 Plasters Ave. NE, #225 Atlanta, GA 30324 To recap, split-level homes have three distinct levels that are accessed via short sets of stairs. There was so much potential in those walls, and we couldnt wait to delve in and start transforming spaces. Looking at listings and come across descriptions saying cozy ranch or colonial and wonder what differentiates thesehomestyles and what it means for livability and cost? If your land slopes and the main entrance to your home is higher than the pavement, which is often the case, add steps or a small flight of stairs leading to the door. A very simple way of updating the look of a traditional split-level is to add some bling to the design. On terrain that is rough, rugged, or hilly, sometimes staggering the floors is the best option for building a home. There is nothing worse than overestimating the amount of stuff a smaller house can accommodate, and now you have no space for the stuff you just spent a small fortune to move! . With traditional multilevel homes, you have the freedom to do whatever you want with it. The kitchen and dining room are on a separate floor from both the bedrooms and living room. Now, lets take a more comprehensive look at the pros and cons of the split-level architectural style as a whole. We can help you out with that! You actually get 3 levels for living space so you really get a sense of depth being in the house. So, we started by converting the existing single car garage into their living room (complete with a new fireplace) and opening up the kitchen to the rest of the level. Convert Ranch Into Split-level Ranch (Left side of house raised) Convert Ranch Into Split-level Ranch (Middle portion of house raised) Convert Ranch Into Colonial Convert Ranch Into Split-level (Do's & Don'ts) Add Rear Bathroom Dormer to Cape Convert Cape to Colonial (Cantilevered) Add Full Rear Dormer to Cape with Dog House Dormers Here is more info about both split levels and colonial homes, and the pros and cons of each. You are generally stuck with their traditional layout. The bedrooms would be upstairs, and the basement or garage would go down. This home didnt originally have a master suite, so we decided to convert one of the bedrooms and create a charming suite that youd never want to leave. Design-wise, it is also much easier for you to work with new home additions that are placed at the back. Its nothing that cant be remedied with a little green thumb! The idea with the Split level is that you can accommodate a large family on a modest budget. The use of mirrored sliding cabinets not only saved space but it also added to the illusion that the room is bigger than it actually is. This makes the entryway quite narrow and the easiest solution is to move the storage somewhere else. Using a solid paint color ended up making the entire room look a lot more spacious than when wallpaper was used. The floor plan is generally a story and which is popular everybody loves a big deep front porch. Benefits The story and a is my favorite, especially if the children in the house are a bit older and dont need to be close to the adults,or if you have out of town company. There is plenty of new storage in this space (that ties in with the kitchen finishes), but the real gem is the reading nook with two of the most comfortable armchairs youve ever sat in. As prices in close-in suburbs inch toward the stratosphere, split-levels are often the only house types left that younger buyers can afford. Because of all these inconveniences, consider scheduling the work at a period when its effects on your household will be most minimal. In most cases, the bottom level is a garage, a den, a playroom, a recreation room, or other informal living areas. Maximize this by getting larger windows for your home to allow more light inside your home during the day. If your home doesnt have windows on the sides, which is typical to this type, get them installed as well. Have questions about buying, selling or renting during COVID-19? You can also turn it into your home office and place all your filing cabinets, bookcase, and other similar items there. With a sultry black hex on the floor and a dimensional geometric tile on the walls we set the stage for a calm space. Je peux rejeter les cookies non essentiels en cliquant sur Grer mes prfrences . Used under license. This style of home is good for entertaining,and there is a nice separation of space, which creates a deeper sense of separation. The classic faade of a split-level home is very simple. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service. To the right of the front door is a tiny window allowing peek-a-boo views of guest arrivals from inside the daughter's closet. The classic faade of a split-level home is very simple. While we know that the design of a split-level house can vary, many of them will have a set of stairs outside that lead to the front door instead of a flat sidewalk. A split-level home already has the structural breaks that make this kind of mix look perfect. Consider discarding furniture that would no longer suit your home, as well as stuff you no longer plan to use. However, this staggered design is not ideal for the elderly or individuals with disabilities. Colonial Homes A typical colonial style home. Renovations are also one of the best times for you to declutter. Modern home designs tend to focus on lighting details. Think of Frank Lloyd Wrights Fallingwater, and take note of the contrast between perfectly smooth wall surfaces and the texture of natural stone used intermittently throughout the design. The old backyard used to have some trellis installed and the entire garden looked unkempt. Your old garage can be converted into any living space you want. Bi-level houses are also commonly referred to as a raised ranch. In most cases, the lower level is partially underground but still has windows. Copyright 2023 Real Estate Witch Since tri-level homes generally dont look symmetrical, adding additions to it will be challenging. Skylights allow for natural, warm lighting to permeate the room. It may be a bit more difficult but it is definitely doable. The Cape Cod is truly a no frills style home. Both. That can help you save on electric costs over time. Split-levels also showcase natural materials, minimal decorations, and double-hung windows with one large picture window. Construction by CG&S Design-Build. A cottage is typically a one bedroom dwelling meant for travelers or people on vacation. The interior spaces flow. There is a wonderful separation of space going on in the split level thanks to the small staircaseswhich are half of what it would be for a true 2 story. Thats some Brady Bunch vibes you have going on there. We removed the walls between the kitchen, living, and dining rooms to create a large open concept space that still allows a clear definition of space, while offering sight lines between spaces and functions. A split-level home has a few great places to start. Updating the landscaping, as well as the entire faade, worked wonders for it. Recessed lighting, also known as can lights, can be an excellent addition to ergonomic, modern kitchens. While adding a new floor is a possibility, the most ideal way to extend your home is by expanding your main living space at the back. You can find the majority of colonial style houses in the northeastern and southern U.S. No matter which you choose, youll get multiple levels connected by short flights of stairs, but each style has unique features. Split foyer houses have two levels, with two sets of stairs. The roof is an oft-overlooked aspect of a homes exterior, which is surprising given the size of both the visible surface area of the roof and the investment required to have a new one installed.
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