Weve already explored some of the advantages and disadvantages of each individual type of split-level house. You can also place raised garden beds if you want to disguise the slope of the land. If there are multiple bedrooms present and you dont need some of them, merge two or more to create a bigger room. You can add a number of design elements, such as siding, tiles, wood, stone, and other decorative pieces to give it a new look. Make no mistake, retro is chic but split-level homes, to many, are still out of style. This additional floor either becomes the highest floor or is the cellar or basement located just below the floor where your main living space is. 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. You can add a number of design elements, such as siding, tiles, wood, stone, and other decorative pieces to give it a new look. In most cases, these homes have a garage with the bedrooms situated directly above it on one side of the house. [Dining Room] 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.. Since they are built vertically, that can mean that split-levels have more square footage in the yard. There are 6 main split-level house designs, including standard-split, split-foyer, stacked-split, split-entry, back-split, and side-split. The more steps you have, the more difficult snow removal is going to be in the winter months. Also, your current foundations wont have to support the additional weight, because these additions will have their own foundations. The top floor typically features taller ceilings and houses the main rooms, such as the kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, dining room, and living room. You just have less freedom to do whatever you want with it and you need to generally work with whats already there. Part of the reason that split-level homes feel so outdated is that they have a number of interior walls. William Feemster of ImageArts Photography. On the other hand, bi-level houses have two levels that are accessed via a common entrance between the floors. By replacing current windows with something that let in a lot more light and are more efficient, you can bring in more natural light to the home, making the space feel bigger, and help to cut down on energy costs over time. Tri-level homes usually have small hallways that connect the garage and the main living space. The south roof slope of the home hosts a large solar array, barely visible here. Split-levels are cool on the inside. By working with siding styles and stonework, the creative homeowner can transform his bland home into something beautiful. Je peux rejeter les cookies non essentiels en cliquant sur Grer mes prfrences . On our website, we have been getting many hits and search querys every month concerning split level renovations. Brokerage. Common features of split-level houses include large living areas, low-pitched roofs, and multiple attics with ample storage space. 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. 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. The outside is often another story. If you prefer a home that still separates the living space from the bedrooms, but doesnt require a full flight of stairs to reach, you may consider a side split style house. [Office] Again, as with the cape cod , the siding may need regular maintenance. 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. Split-level houses feature an architectural style that was most popular in the 40s and 50s, and each type of split-level house has distinct features. LawnStarter Full Review: Is the Uber of Lawn Care Legit? Then, the middle level is where the majority of the entertaining and living happens. We wont keep you guessing for so long you can make additions to a split-level home, despite the space constraints. A front porch was added, siding and stone are new, as are all the windows. Lengthen the present rooflines in your home, Match the paint of your garage door to the paint of your main door, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE7jN7ofmeI, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKS8AnI6Ahk, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHaeHzf4iBU. 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. Split-level homes are built in a simple style that lends itself well to many different appearances: Tudor, Victorian and ranch. If possible, have your skylights customized to fit the theme of your home to complement the entire space. 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. This works well if your house has other trappings of colonial style. If your home doesnt have windows on the sides, which is typical to this type, get them installed as well. Before we dive too deeply into the types of split-level homes, its important to know the distinguishing features of split-level houses. Taken fromhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE7jN7ofmeI. If you can, taking a wall or two out is a great way to open up what is largely an enclosed space. Landscaping is new. Moving your furniture around to change the look of your home is usually the first step many homeowners make. Split Levels and Split Foyers became popular in the United States in the 1970s. Ranches tend to be easier to maintainparticularly on the outside. 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. You should know the various types of split-level homes before you can consider buying or building one of your own. Maximize this by getting larger windows for your home to allow more light inside your home during the day. 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. 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. 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. Read more, Your email address will not be published. Even if the contractor promised to deliver the work at a certain time, you still need to make allowances for possible unforeseen delays that may happen. The exterior of a split-level home is whats giving away its age. People want more bedrooms, more bedrooms, more bedrooms at the expense of the communal space. You can also make use of that list as an inspiration for your project. This way, the new addition is not that visible from the front of your home. By sumitting this form, you agree to be contacted about your project by Homeadvisor and / or other service partners using automated phone technology and / or email. Even if your dream is to have a log cabin-type of home but you live in area that gets a lot of rain and snow all year, using even the sturdiest kind of wood may be the worst decision you can make in your life. 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. Design-wise, it is also much easier for you to work with new home additions that are placed at the back. The defining characteristic of the Colonial style of home is two stories, with a formally defined living room and dining room on the first floor and maybe one bedroom, with the other bedrooms being on the second story of the home. A split-level home has a few great places to start. We are continuously working to improve the accessibility of our web experience for everyone, and we welcome feedback and accommodation requests. While some styles create space with doors, the colonial does it with staircase. This browser is no longer supported. Thoughtful updates, such as a cedar shake roof, an expansive dormer, and a glass-panel front door, transformed the home's previously lackluster exterior. We can help you out with that! But on the other hand, this may not be enough to make significant changes to your home. This type of split-level house features multiple levels that are visible from the homes exterior. If you are working with a limited budget, even a fresh coat of paint can dramatically change the look of your home. Whats most important is that your home works the best for you. 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 lower demand in most markets means that they are readily available for a cheaper price than other types of homes. Bi-Level or Split-Level Remodeling Tips For Homes Built in the 1970s. Your old garage can be converted into any living space you want. The roof lines create an interesting look and this style never seems to be out-dated. If you were a fan of The Brady Bunch, then you know exactly what a split-level house is. We converted the original garage into a lovely little living room with a cozy fireplace. Here is more info about both split levels and colonial homes, and the pros and cons of each. 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. Anything you do on any floor of a split-level home will affect the other floors. Even better, adding a skylight has a ton of benefits from every aspect: economical, functional, and aesthetic. 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. It is a product that can handle any type of sloping lot and is as efficient as a house can get. Updating a split-level home is hard. Sadly, youre limited to these three choices. The homeowners are enthusiasts of residential modern architecture and wanted to update their 1960s split-foyer home with a modern design. If you are still stumped but updating your home is something that excites you, visuals might help you picture out what you can do. Split foyer houses have two levels, with two sets of stairs. Transfer your coat rack or closet from the landing to the top of the stairs instead, creating room for you to welcome your guests as soon as they step inside. Skylights allow for natural, warm lighting to permeate the room. But a few simple modifications can transform them, making them one of the best fixer-upper options. The landing is presented upon entering and the choice to go up or down stairs must be made immediately. Split level homes have a bit of an outdated look to them that has fallen out of favor in the ultra-modern or ultra-rustic home landscape. As a result, everything should be carefully thought out; you have to keep in mind that all the floors are interconnected. If youre looking for a home with plenty of space for your family and for hosting guests, the stacked split design is an excellent choice. The split level can be built on a sloping a sloping lot (cheaper) with more square footage under one roof (cheaper! Here are some concepts and ideas you can use for your own home. Clients were also interested in: low maintenance finishes, usage of low/no VOC materials, good indoor air quality as they lived on site during the remodel, and preserving and refinishing salvageable resources. link to What Kind Of Paint For Garage Walls. This is due to the fact that the sides of this type of home tend to be boringly blank youre actually lucky if you even have windows on the sides. On the outside, you have paint chipping off, loose steps, landscaping that is in bad shape, the list goes on. This type of construction is very common among townhouses. Add a deck or patio, or even extend your house if space permits. Aside from these two requirements, the design work involved aesthetics: enhancing the front faade with a modern architecture and high quality materials. Moreover, it presents serious challenges when it comes to renovating the entire space. A common configuration is having the first stairs from the entryway leading to the dining room or kitchen. On the other hand, this is not something you can do with split-level homes. This can be confusing to those who dont know the difference. The second exterior wall surface, which can make a huge impact and is easily retrofitted, is a natural stone of some sort. 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. The original use of the cottage was to house agricultural workers on a farm. The problem is that it may not be the easiest of plans to execute. For first-time homebuyers, that can mean a more realistic first-time option. If you are moving from a large house to a cottage or a bungalow, you really need to plan out what you can take and what you need to leave behind. Magazine pictures of modern homes tend to make them look almost sterile; recessed lighting offers more light without it becoming impractical. Please switch to a supported browser or download one of our Mobile Apps. Photo and copyright by Renovation Design Group. Any split-level modernization project should look very closely at ways to make those exterior walls smooth. The idea with the Split level is that you can accommodate a large family on a modest budget. Wherever possible is important because some of (or all of) those interior walls could have major structural implications on the rest of the home. Your garage takes up a lot of frontage, so it's a large portion of your guests' first impression. No matter which you choose, youll get multiple levels connected by short flights of stairs, but each style has unique features. Most types of split-level houses will feature several staircases that lead to the different levels of the house. . 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. A cottage is typically a one bedroom dwelling meant for travelers or people on vacation. Consider these options for altering the exterior: This isnt as simple as yes or no. If you live in a suburban area and your home has been around since the 1950s, 1960s, or 1970s, chances are you are living in a split-level home. The possibilities are endless. Over the years and more recently, we, as architects, have been more involved due to the riddle of the split level being so hard to solve. With its dramatic vaulted ceiling and new custom steel railing, this room was just screaming for a dramatic light fixture and a large table to welcome one-and-all. The advantage to split entry houses is the spacious design that offers plenty of room for larger families or those who entertain often. Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you. 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. This may involve a major structural overhaul, but its worth considering. After all, this is what split-level homes are known for. We utilized clean white cabinets around the perimeter of the kitchen and popped the island with a spunky shade of blue. 12 /18. You actually get 3 levels for living space so you really get a sense of depth being in the house. This floor plan features three to four floors and many sets of stairs. Another advantage is having the front door be level with the sidewalk outside. 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. Used under license. To modernize a split-level home you can take action and add some recessed lighting to the first floor, as well as some skylights, throughout the home. Why do you want to do a renovation of your split-level home? That pop of color can give the right contrast to the rest of the home to make it stand out in a positive way. This is because it offers both ambient lighting and a focused illumination. Now we know why Art Deco is popular in Miami! Read This Before You Pay For a Flat Fee MLS Service. You'll usually find the bedrooms stacked above the foyer with stairs coming off the kitchen or dining room. Changing the aesthetic of the exterior of your split-level can come down to some very simplistic changes. This makes the entryway quite narrow and the easiest solution is to move the storage somewhere else. The substantial addition at the rear of the home is barely visible here--the only hint being that the main ridge is a little higher from this point of view. The Art Deco designed home was made popular during the Roaring Twenties. Discovery of King Tuts tomb, as well as a surging industrial revolution inspired a generation of flat roofs, smooth, rounded walls and vibrant colors. Modern home designs tend to focus on lighting details. Bi-levels were popular in the era of splits, as developers would offer new homes in four configurations: colonials, splits, bi-levels or ranches. Now, lets take a more comprehensive look at the pros and cons of the split-level architectural style as a whole. The entrance is a small section that is separate from all the main floors of the home. You can see the appeal here. 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. 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. Of all split level homes, the raised ranch has the toughest exterior to deal with. And while the change in floor level creates a partial separation of spaces, they are visually connected from one level to the next. Photography by Tre Dunham, Fine focus Photography. While split level homes can be gorgeous, with their high ceilings and efficient use of space, they can also seem outdated and not reflect your unique taste in design. Living Rm & Foyer Before Building Up Front Door Raised Lower Level Transformed The lower level of this 1970's split foyer consisted of a bedroom, dated laundry/kitchen area, storage, and family room. You may be used to shoveling the driveway, imagine if you had to add your roof to the list of items to shovel. With a regular split-level, when you enter, you can either go up or down. This question is important and your answer will serve as your guide when it comes to updating your home. 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. In most cases, the bottom level is a garage, a den, a playroom, a recreation room, or other informal living areas. Consider installing solar lights on your property, particularly along the path leading to the main entrance of your home. Even better, that natural light will light up just about every corner of the room. If done properly, this can tie in wonderfully with the natural stone sections of wall mentioned above. Another option is to add the new space at the top, but you have to be sure that your foundations are strong enough to handle the load of the new floor. We loved the original built-ins in this space, and knew they needed to always be a part of this house, but these 60-year-old beauties definitely needed a little help. Consider casement windows, which feature cranks and swing out to open up. For ranches, this can extend off the main house and connect to a garage that was once completely separate from the rest of the home. Colonial Homes A typical colonial style home. Modern floor plans put an emphasis on open space to make the entire area seem bigger while also granting more freedom for the homeowner to decorate. To modernize a split-level home, replace the outdated windows. Since tri-level homes generally dont look symmetrical, adding additions to it will be challenging. Whether architects like it or not, the split-level may be the "it" remodel of the future. The entry has sets of stairs leading up the main floor and another set that leads to the lower level of the home. There are various shapes for the ranch style, but the main theme is that the entire house is on one levelwhich has its perks. Split-level homes tend to be small, in terms of square footage . My standard corner with 28"-deep diagonal pullouts. Modern Capes from 1920s and after kept many of the exterior features of the original Cape with a modified interior for a more comfortable living experience. Bathroom closets are often catch-alls for anything and everything remotely related to self-care. Updating a tri-level home is not a project that you can just DIY your way to completion. Split-levels also showcase natural materials, minimal decorations, and double-hung windows with one large picture window. Photos by Richard Pasley. You can use this hallway as a small mudroom and storage space for stuff you usually take with you when you go out. The roof lines create an interesting look and this style never seems to be out-dated. Another common complaint about the ranch style of home is that the outside can tend to have a boring, lackluster appeal. You can use the following materials or do the following to make noticeable changes outside, while looking neutral enough to complement everything else: If you recall, we made a list of remodeling ideas for the faade and front entry in an earlier section. Split foyer to French colonial. A little leeway may be unavoidable, such as changing the color scheme and tiles halfway, but changing your mind about big things, such as building a new wall in the same spot where an old one was removed, would mean wasted resources, especially money. Walk in the front door at ground level, and you climb a flight of stairs to reach the living room, dining, room and kitchen level . This is a split-level home, so there were limited aesthetic options in the entryway. This allows you to adjust the temperatures separately to even them out. Plants and trees will help balance the overall look of your home and make it look much more even. Keep in mind that easiest homes to maintain and make additions to tend to be rancheswhich is why they have become one of the most popular style of home! It also doesnt hurt to make sure that the gardening is tended. The Colonial-style renovation upgraded the plain portico into a spacious covered porch, which allows room for plenty of outdoor furniture. Renovations are also one of the best times for you to declutter. 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. There are 6 main split-level house designs, including standard-split, split-foyer, stacked-split, split-entry, back-split, and side-split. Skylights are a great modern addition that can bring a split-level home into the 21st century. Clients goal was to update the main floor and allow more natural light into this small-footprint home. link to What Kind Of Paint For Garage Walls. Do you now have at least a vague idea of what kind of remodeling you should do to your home? New columns replicate the original style, so the addition looks like it's always been there. Some roof colors simply wont work with a contemporary design an old shingle roof usually looks anything but clean and smooth. Another reason why these types of houses are desirable to homeowners is that the layout separates the living area from the sleeping area, offering more privacy. You actually get 3 levels for living space so you really get a sense of depth being in the house. The home will include many sets of stairs, or in some cases, just a couple of steps, but the entry is generally at ground level. Always consider even the most extreme ideas if youre planning to be in the home for a long time. This results in a stark contrast, especially when the differences are very obvious. You can use plants, tall furniture, and decorative partitions. Our primary goal was to re-imagine the main level of the home and create an open flow between the space. It also helps to ensure that the drainage is properly taken care of. But again, you need to visualize how the exterior will connect to and complement whats inside your home, including the functions of each level.
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