Perhaps, you would have not imagined yourself searching the web for the different types of houses.
We also listed here some traditional homes whose architectural designs were embellished for modern living.
In the list, we will be talking of both architectural and building structure categories.
1.Annex
An annex house usually functions as an in-law or basement suite.
As the term implies, it is an added structure to the already existing single-family home.
It functions as more than just an extended structure to the home for many reasons.
With this, they could slash off the rent for the property in equal halves.
However, the main difference comes from the lease terms.
Condos are paid for by individuals for a specific number of years.
If the full payment is met, a turn-over will happen under the name of the individual.
Related:Condo vs.
Apartment: Whats The Difference?
This throw in of house is made of steel or metal materials with the outward design of traditional barns.
It rests on a spacious property, with vast outdoor spaces.
4.Basement Suite/In-law suite
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It is also called the in-law suite.
It is constructed when the basement of the home is reconstructed to become a home of its own.
It has its separate door, its own living room, kitchen, and bedrooms.
Basement suites are types of multi-family house which lessen the cost of rent for an extended family.
This is also good for close-knit families since the in-laws usually occupy the basement suites.
By tradition, bungalow houses have two to three steps leading to the porch.
It also has that classic dormer window converted into a pitched roof.
As such, it is considered as a less finished cottage highly associated with the American countryside.
It is basically built with logs, traditionally using lamps and firewood for light and warmth.
It is one of the extended structures of manor houses.
They are not usually sold individually since they are within the overall property.
With the loss of horse-drawn carriages, coach houses were converted into additional living spaces for guests.
Others have converted them into small offices for rent, giving homeowners additional revenue.
Through the years, they have been fortified structures.
The castle is also a collective structure that houses other buildings and shanty homes for the commoners.
Technically, there are no castles in the US.
9.Cave
Cave houses are more than just vestiges of our evolution.
Up to now, caves are permanent residencies for some people with outlandish preferences for home designs.
Cave houses are specifically trendy for hardcore environmentalists.
They are found in the Mediterranean region and are converted as exotic hotel rooms in the Middle East.
Interestingly, you will find cave homes in the USA specifically in California, Mexico City, and Arizona.
It has modern water, temperature, and security systems that keep it as a normal house.
It is open for a weekend getaway rent but at a high price.
Its most unique architectural feature is its steep roof complemented by overhangs.
This design is particularly beneficial in carrying heavy loads of snow.
It features large wooden windows, a porch with at least 5-8 steps.
The luxury mountain chalet is the upgraded version of the chalet.
Chateaus are usually located near a lake view.
Sometimes, coach houses are also called micro-lofts, or micro condominiums.
13.Condominium
Along with townhouses, condominium houses are one of the most popular houses today.
The tower houses hundreds or even thousands of condominium units.
Since it has become a trend, the onset of duplex and triplex condominium units emerged.
Duplex condos are two separate condo units merged together to form a two-storey unit.
In the same case, the triplex condo involves three separate units merged to form a three-leveled condo.
In California and other US states, merging units are side-by-side.
Related:Condo vs Townhouse: Which One is Right For You?
They are very easy to construct and all materials are recycled steel or repurposed shipping containers from the docks.
Contemporary mansions are found across the US, owned by artists, Hollywood stars, and old rich families.
They can be tiny homes or large ones.
When an individual buys a co-op property, it means that he/she is not buying a rent-to-own condo.
Instead, he/she is buying in for a future percentage in the entire tower/building.
The two most common types of dome houses are the geodesic dome house and the monolithic dome house.
Geodesic domes are not entirely circular since they feature polygon shapes joined in a circular manner.
They are a bit closer to standard homes including walls, windows, and roofs.
Monolithic dome houses have the perfect round shape but still feature roofs and windows.
They are also considered to be more sturdy than geodesic homes and are more futuristic in architectural design.
Traditionally, English cottages have single rooms, a thatched roof, and thick walls.
They are made of wood, brick, or stone sides, a fireplace, and a porch.
But now, English cottages have very luxurious interiors as they are now associated with the rich.
Its base is usually made of bricks or stones.
Modern farmhouses no longer feature all rustic features.
They now incorporate cleaner updates combined with a rustic design nose.
They are small colonial homes usually found in the Southern suburbs or in the countryside.
They are often sited in the middle of a vast field or land.
It is quite expensive because floating homes require special considerations under the building code.
Part of its cost comes from the transport and transfer of materials in the dock.
A regular maintenance drill is hiring a diver to check on the undersides of the floating home.
22.Fort
Basically, forts are military structures where soldiers and other military personnel are housed.
Traditional forts were built with stone and logs.
It is enclosed in a fortified area usually with high stone walls.
Historical significance can be attributed to the family name which belonged for many years.
They are not of course used to sail.
Rather, the whole structure is tethered to the land using anchors.
The only difference is that the house where they are on is floating.
25.Luxury Mountain Chalet
This one is the upgraded version of mountain chalets.
The luxury term associated with it is basically because of the interior lavishness that it has.
They often come in open designs where glass walls are installed to give a full snowy mountain view.
At present, manors have been converted into hotels and restaurants.
They are just usually identified now in terms of space and old-style design.
Manor houses can still be found largely in France and other European countries.
Nonetheless, mansions are usually categorized as any residential property with a floor space of at least 8,000sq.ft.
The key to qualifying a house as a mansion rests in the luxury amenities that it has.
28.McMansion
This is a term used to describe poorly constructed or designed mansions.
Inside it would also be misplaced interiors and random designs.
As such, they are not that finished and are poorly customized.
Some are emptied with less than a year of occupancy because of interiors falling off.
29.Mobile Home
As the term implies, this one is a moveable house.
This is not your hippie trailer home though.
Some mobile homes are not placed on a trailer, however.
Mobile homes have become very popular in California, Ohio, and Florida, to name a few.
Multi-family homes are the umbrella term for apartments, duplex, and triplex homes.
The reason for investing in multi-family homes is to get more revenue from a large property.
Some modern multi-family houses now infuse many types of spaces in one.
This bang out of multi-family house is becoming more popular in the urban centers of Sweden.
31.Palace
Castles are more of royal fortresses while chateaus are royal country homes.
When we talk about palaces, their defining features are spaciousness, grandiosity, and opulence.
They are specifically built for the comfort and luxurious lives of royalties and dignitaries.
They have long banquet halls, ballrooms, and more.
They also have other extended structures collectively forming the property.
They have large stables, lake-views, decks, vast outdoors, trails, and more.
Palaces are themed diversely.
Western palaces have neutral-themed designs while Eastern and Hispanic palaces are filled with color and tropical embellishments.
If anything, palaces can be as conservative or as outlandish as it could be.
Some have their own royal boutiques, food establishments, and other lifestyle features inside the palace itself.
The number of levels does not matter.
As long as the unit is located solely on top, it is considered a penthouse.
It is considered as the American counterpart of the Spanish hacienda whose popularity rose in the 1950s.
From the 1960s up to the present, ranchers have been turned into suburban homes with urban designs.
Ranchers are distinguishable for their large outdoor spaces, long walkways, and two-step porch stairs.
They have low roofs, sliding doors, vast open spaces, large windows, and an attached garage.
It is the classic 50s California home.
34.Single Family Home
This one comprises 70% of all American homes at present.
The rise of single home families is attributed to the post-second world war reconstruction and urban planning.
Tiny homes are usually 60-500sq.ft., usually pre-made by factories.
Like moveable houses, tiny homes can be towed and placed elsewhere.
They are famous for independent living or for couples who have limited financial freedom.
36.Townhouse
Townhouses are highly referenced in popular culture thanks to Hollywood films.
These houses are rows of homes divided by a wall.
Sometimes, they are considered as single-family homes attached to two units on both sides.
Unlike condos, townhouse owners are responsible for maintaining both the interior and exterior fixtures of the unit.
Underground homes are very ecological.
These homes are safe from disasters, they use up minimal energy and do not require much maintenance.
They are scattered berms, old tunnels, old silos, and more.
Villas are spacious, often coming with more than 20 bedrooms.
Materials used for western ranch style are very rustic with wooden windows, wood sidings, and more.
They are small and very easy to move to make them the ideal dwelling place for the nomadic Mongols.
It is a round structure covered entirely with a white, waterproof fabric.
Inside it, you could find all the basic amenities found in a regular home.
In this section, we will answer some FAQs about the types of houses that we featured here.
What are the most popular types of houses in the USA?
These are the doric order, ionic order, and the Corinthian order.
The last one is the Corinthian order characterized by a slender column with four scrolls.
It is considered the most elaborate with its 24 flutes and the tallest of the three orders.
What types of materials are used in the USA for houses?
Fun fact, bricks are not used as common construction materials for American homes.
Can houses lose value?
If houses can be appraised, they sure can depreciate too.
Often done by a real estate agent or a land developer, homes depreciate because of many factors.
The most imminent one is its physical situation.
Damaged interiors have a greater depreciation impact on homes compared to damaged exteriors.
Total neglect is a different case.
Another reason for depreciation is the reputation of the neighborhood the house is located in.
The higher the risk the neighborhood poses for the future homeowner, the lesser the value of the house.
A generally depreciating economic environment is also a factor in property depreciation.
Conclusion
There are many reasons why we should all be acquainted with different types of houses.
The types of houses are divided between architectural designs or in terms of structural throw in.
They have specific features that set them apart from others.
