What Is A Bungalow? is a common question among first-time home buyers. Over the past few decades, you may have noticed that houses are getting taller, and the apartments are getting smaller. The average house size today is about 2,600 square feet, and if you ask anyone what size they would like their home to be – the answer would always be more space!
However, who has time to maintain a large home with our hectic lives? And this is where the bungalow comes with many advantages for the modern home-buyer.
Bungalow homes are single-story houses, usually smaller in size than the average home. These homes are becoming more popular because they offer many benefits that taller houses cannot provide. In this article, Waverly Homes will discuss the advantages of owning a bungalow.
What Is A Bungalow?
A bungalow is most often a one-story home, though they may have a second story with dormers or half-timbering in the roofline. Bungalows often have verandas and large porches to enjoy the outdoors. They are usually less formal than other homes and were designed to be more comfortable and practical.
Some key defining characteristics of bungalow homes are:
Sloping Roof
A bungalow typically has a sloping roof, which is usually triangle shaped. This provides more headroom on the second floor if there is one. With this roof, bungalows often have dormers.
Dormer Windows
These are windows that project out from the roof. They often add extra light and headroom. A bungalow will often have several small dormers rather than one large one.
Flat Chimneys
Another trademark of a bungalow is the flat chimney. This allows a fireplace to be placed on an exterior wall, which helps heat the home more evenly. Bungalow-style house plans can often have multiple fireplaces.
Large Porch
Porches are standard on all homes, but bungalows often have sizable porches with lots of room for a single family. This is because they were designed to be comfortable and practical homes. The porch was a place where people could relax and enjoy the outdoors without having to leave the comfort of their homes.
Low Pitched Roof
The architectural style of a bungalow often dictates low-pitched roofs. This is because the dormers and other features add height to the home, so the roof’s pitch is often lower than it would be on a ranch-style home.
Common Types Of Bungalow Homes:
With such a broad range of styles, there are technically several types of bungalow homes. The most popular types are:
The Craftsman Bungalow
The Craftsman bungalow is one of the most iconic and popular types of bungalows. These homes are defined by their low-pitched roofs, wide eaves, and large front porches supported by tapered columns. This classic American bungalow style was popularized in the early 20th century. Casement windows are also a common feature of Craftsman bungalows.
The California Bungalow
The California bungalow is similar to the Craftsman but has a few key differences. These homes are also defined by their low-pitched roofs and wide eaves, but they often have smaller porches and more windows. Usually, California bungalows are one story, but some may have a second story with dormer windows.
The Chicago Bungalow
Chicago bungalow-style homes are similar to California bungalows but more rectangular. The open floor plan and sloped roof are the main identifying features of this type of bungalow. Chicago bungalows often have brick exteriors and Tudor-style details.
Prairie Style Bungalow
This type is usually derived from prairie school and characterized by horizontal lines, light-colored stucco or wood siding, and sometimes those large porches we’ve been talking about. Prairie-style bungalows are unique in their design and not as common as the other types of bungalows.
Mission Style Bungalow
Mission-style bungalows are known for their square shapes, stucco exteriors, and tile roofs. These homes often have high ceilings, exposed beams, and large fireplaces. Mission-style bungalows are named after the Spanish missions in California.
Tudor Bungalows
Tudor bungalows are a more ornate type of the bungalow, characterized by their half-timbered exteriors and ceiling beams. Bay windows and leaded glass are also standard features of Tudor bungalows. These homes usually have a more formal appearance than other types of bungalows.
Benefits Of Living In Bungalow House:
Every family has unique needs when it comes to finding the perfect home.
The arts and crafts movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries popularized the bungalow house style in North America and Europe. There are some clear benefits to living in a bungalow, including the following:
Low Maintenance
One of the main benefits of living in a bungalow is that they require very little maintenance. The simple design means there are few nooks and crannies for accumulating dirt and dust, and the solid construction means they are highly durable.
Energy Efficient
It’s easy to make bungalows energy efficient. The solid construction helps to keep heat in during the winter and out during the summer, and the lack of stairs means there is less surface area for heat to escape through, saving you money every month on your heating bills!
Single-Level Living
Bungalows are perfect for those who want to avoid stairs. First-time homebuyers, families with young children, and seniors will all appreciate being able to move around their homes without worrying about stairs.
Great for Entertaining
A bungalow’s open concept floor plan makes it perfect for entertaining family & friends. There are few-to-no walls to block off a conversation, and the flow of the space means you can quickly move from one room to another.
Privacy
Because bungalows are often set back from the street and have large yards, they offer plenty of privacy, which can be particularly appealing to those who want to avoid the hustle and bustle of city living.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, it’s not surprising that Bungalows are one of the more popular home styles in North America. Their popularity is due to their charms: their coziness, comfortability, and ease of maintenance. And most importantly, bungalows are priced pretty reasonably, especially if you look for new homes in Corunna or other small communities.
And now that you know a bit about their history and what defines this type of architecture, maybe purchasing a bungalow is the right choice for you and your family.