Bungalow vs. Standard Home

Stories

• A bungalow is 1 or 1 1/2 stories tall, while a standard home is typically two or three stories, with one of those reserved for the attic. Both standard homes and bungalows can contain a basement. Bungalows are either fully or semi-detached from other homes.

Accessibility

• The primary advantage of a bungalow is accessibility. Since all rooms including the living room, kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms are on a single floor, there are no stairs to climb. Individuals with disabilities or the elderly may prefer to live in a bungalow so they can move from one room to another without difficulty.

Cost

• Bungalows are much more expensive to construct per square foot. The same amount of foundation and roofing are needed to make both a bungalow and a two or three story house covering the same plot area. Neighborhoods made up of bungalows add to the urban center spreading towards suburbs. The neighborhoods are less dense and houses more spread out.

Privacy

• Bungalows offer more privacy than standard homes. Trees and shrubs are placed strategically around the perimeter to prevent neighbors from seeing inside the home. A standard home allows neighbors to look into windows from second or third stories. A drawback individuals in bungalows often experience is lack of natural light, due to less windows and trees blocking the sunlight, which requires the use of artificial light, even during the daytime.