One of my favorite aspects of Washington, D.C. real estate is the variety of housing styles found all over the city. The hard part is being able to identify these styles by their name, so I searched high and low for definitions, characteristics, and examples of many of the housing styles that influence the real estate in our nation’s capital.
Georgian
A symmetrical 2 or 3 story brick house with typically five windows across the the second story. Georgian House Example
Federal
Slightly more decorative than the Georgian style, the Federal style offers more swags, garlands, and elliptical windows. They often have a decorative crown or roof over the front door, and many of them have a palladian window on the second story above the front door or directly above the door. Federal House Example
Craftsman
A simple house with overhanging eaves, low-slung gabled roof, and front porches framed by pedestal-like tapered columns. Stucco, wood, and stone are often used as materials. Craftsman House Example
Cape Cod
A square or rectangular house with one or one and a half stories, a steep roof, and clapboard siding or brick. They often have dormers and shutters. Cape Cod Example
Colonial
A rectangular symmetrical house with a center hall and bedrooms on the second floor. The windows are usually double hung and have equally sized panes of glass. They often feature double or single wings with garage. Colonial House Example
Victorian
A Victorian house often has three stories, round or octagonal towers, and a wraparound porch. The style incorporates brackets, spindles, and patterned shingles. Victorian House Example
Queen Anne
A house typically with steep crossed-gabled roofs, vertical windows and towers. Multiple porches, balconies, and chimneys with ornate trim are also characteristic of this style. Queen Anne House Example
Rambler
A single story house with all living areas on the same level. The style is commonly known as the ranch style. Rambler House Example
Contemporary
Odd size, large windows, and multiple building materials are often characteristics of this style. Contemporary House Example
High Rise Condominium
A multi-story building with elevator access to units. High Rise Condominium Example
Low Rise Condominium
A cluster of attached units in buildings four stories or less. Low Rise Condo Example
Split Level
A style where the first floor is built about halfway between the basement and the second floor, with the second floor being directly above the basement. Split Level House Example
Townhouse
A house in a row of dwellings sharing common walls. They are also known as row houses. Townhouse Example
Conclusion
Washington, D.C. is a beautiful city, and its properties are no different. If you find yourself bored on a sunny day, get out there and see if you can identify some of the styles that influence D.C. properties. Hint: some houses might have multiple answers.
