The changes made in each area are due to the weather in each zone. Hot or cold, a traditional colonial home remained vulnerable to the seasons. That’s why colonial houses in the different parts of the country have distinctive features now.

Colonial homes are most popular in the Southern US and New England. These are called simply Southern Colonials and New England Colonials. The 2 styles evolved over time to be uniquely suited to the regions. South Colonial ceilings are higher for better ventilation in the summer. New England Colonial homes have wood siding because wood is plentiful in the area. In Virginia, New England Colonial homes are brick, because there is plenty of clay. Almost never will you come across a stone Colonial home. They do exist, but they are certainly hard to find. The colonial style reaches west as far as as Illinois and Ohio.

Common Characteristics & Features

First, the colonial home design was 2 stories, with 1 room on each floor. Finally, it grew into having 4 rooms on each of the 2 stories. You can spot a Colonial home by:

Symmetrical, very symmetrical
Often square
The front entrance door is exactly in the middle
2 windows, one on each side of the front entrance, exactly mirroring each other
Small, exactly equal-sized windowpanes, usually square
5 windows on the 2^nd floor, 1 directly above the front entrance, and the others exactly spaced on either side
Pairs of chimneys
Medium pitched roof for drainage in rainy areas
Stairway behind the front entrance door leading to the hall running through the second floor
Classic floor plan with living room and kitchen on the ground floor and bedrooms upstairs

Benefits of the Colonial Home

Living in a colonial home has its perks, in the north or the south. Fine-tuned for the weather, they are comfortable and lend themselves to the most typical American lifestyles.

Renovations make many classic colonial houses even easier for modern needs. Adding on to the side or the back is easy. If you add to one side, remember to add to the other, because the symmetry is the core of the style. Brick facades are difficult to find matches for, but there are options for complementary materials.

If you are looking for an impressive, spacious residence, north or south, a colonial home may be ideal.

Atlanta Home Styles

Atlanta Condos Cape Cod Colonial Contemporary Mansion Mediterranean New Construction Ranch Swimming Pool Traditional Tudor Victorian

Colonial Info

Common Characteristics & Features

First, the colonial home design was 2 stories, with 1 room on each floor. Finally, it grew into having 4 rooms on each of the 2 stories. You can spot a Colonial home by:

Symmetrical, very symmetrical

Often square

The front entrance door is exactly in the middle

2 windows, one on each side of the front entrance, exactly mirroring each other

Small, exactly equal-sized windowpanes, usually square

5 windows on the 2^nd floor, 1 directly above the front entrance, and the others exactly spaced on either side

Pairs of chimneys

Medium pitched roof for drainage in rainy areas

Stairway behind the front entrance door leading to the hall running through the second floor

Classic floor plan with living room and kitchen on the ground floor and bedrooms upstairs

Benefits of the Colonial Home

Living in a colonial home has its perks, in the north or the south. Fine-tuned for the weather, they are comfortable and lend themselves to the most typical American lifestyles.

If you are looking for an impressive, spacious residence, north or south, a colonial home may be ideal.