What Makes Tudor Homes Unique?

Roof

• Tudor homes have a steeply pitched or medium-pitched roof with cross gables, which are gables that juxtapose one another. Sometimes these homes feature clipped (flat-topped rather than pointed) gables as well. The trend of overlapping gables allows for a wide variety of designs that gives each home a distinct feel. A high gabled roof often stands over a porch, creating an inviting entryway.

Accents

• The decorative timber paneling over a white surface is perhaps the most recognizable feature of a Tudor home. The top story of the home's exterior frequently features this paneling, although the paneling need not continue all the way around the house. The home usually features brick or stonework as well, particularly on the lower story, although stucco, clapboard and wood shingles may be used instead. Bands of tall, narrow window panes adorn the home as well. Tudors typically have large fireplaces. Inside, the ceilings might feature partial wood paneling. Wood furniture frequently enhances the rustic ambience.

Design

• The home typically has an asymmetrical design, with one and a half floors -- meaning the second floor is smaller -- or two floors. Rooms have irregular shapes, with floor plans varying widely. Tudors can be large estate homes or small cottages. The living room, with its large, inviting fireplace, serves as a central gathering point in the typical Tudor home. The large living room usually has a high ceiling as well.

Opulent Style

• In the United States, Tudor homes have always had an opulent ambience. In the Victorian era, wealthy Americans initiated the Tudor trend by building mansions in this style. The Tudor style became popular for country clubs as well. Later, more modest versions still used more expensive building materials than the typical house, which was made of wood. Tudors typically used concrete and masonry in that era. This smaller, cottage-style Tudor became popular in the 1920s and '30s, but during the Depression era, only more well-off families could afford them. Whatever materials a contemporary home builder uses to create a Tudor, the style's associations with opulent living give the home an air of luxury.