COLONIAL HOME EXTERIOR STYLE

American Colonial-style homes originally were built from the 1600s to mid-1700s and were most popular in New England and the South. One of the most recognizable characteristics of Colonial-style houses is symmetrical architecture. Colonial front door and window styles play a role in creating this balance, since the door is typically located in the center of the home, with windows evenly flanking each side.

Originating in England, the Colonial architectural style fell out of fashion during the American Revolution, but the simplicity of this design re-emerged starting in 1880 through 1945 as the industrial revolution provided Americans with new, more easily attained materials and technologies to build larger homes.

While the British Colonial style provided the earliest design influences, other cultures contributed to the evolution of this home style, resulting in a number of variations, including Dutch Colonial, French Colonial, Spanish Colonial, Cape Cod and Georgian. Many homes built today feature elements that originated with this style.