What Are Brick Houses Called? (7 Styles Explained)

Brick is one of the strongest and most durable construction materials out there.

Houses made from bricks withstand extreme weather conditions and can last more than 100 years.

There are many different styles of brick houses, each with distinctive architectural features and characteristics that make them unique.

Here are the 7 different styles of brick houses:

1. Colonial House

A colonial house comes in an architectural style from American colonies in the 17th and 18th centuries.

This particular style of house is often symmetrical, with the front door at the center and an equal number of windows on each side. One side of the house is similar to the other regarding the exteriors.

These houses have two or three levels. They also have pitched roofs.

The most common material used for colonial houses is brick, stone, and wood. These houses are constructed with practicality in mind. They’re designed to be resilient and, lastly, more than 100 years.

Under the colonial style of architecture, there are several other sub-types, such as the Federal, Georgian, and Dutch styles, and each one has distinctive features that make them stand out from the others.

Federal-style houses have more ornate designs, and Georgian-style houses have a more traditional and formal look. Meanwhile, Dutch colonial houses have gambrel roofs sloping on each side.

Because of their design, colonial houses are considered classic, and many of these houses built centuries ago have stood the test of time.

Since they’re made of bricks, these houses are well-preserved, and some of them are still being used as houses while others have been converted to serve other functions.

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2. Tudor Style House

From the word itself, a Tudor-style house comes from an architecture popular in England between 1485 and 1603, also known as the Tudor period.

Houses in the Tudor style are commonly made of bricks at the bottom half, while the top half is made from timber.

Exposed wooden beams and posts also accented the half-timbered part of the exteriors.

Apart from the distinctive exteriors described above, these houses have tall, narrow windows, steep roofs with multiple gables, and decorative chimneys. The facade is typically asymmetrical with an off-center front door.

Inside a Tudor-style house, you’d find a central hall near the entrance with rooms on either side. The central hall may have a large fireplace made of bricks or stone as a focal point. The interiors also have exposed beams with ornate carvings.

While this style of brick houses originated in England, they eventually came to the U.S. and became popular in the early 20th century.

3. Cottage

A cottage is a house style in rural or remote areas, in the countryside seaside. They’re smaller than traditional houses, with an area of 400 to 1,000 square feet.

These houses are characterized by their asymmetrical facade with low-pitched gabled roofs and windows with shutters.

Since they’re small, most cottages only have one story, but they have a certain rustic charm to them!

With tiny rooms, antique designs, low ceilings, double-hung windows, and a small brick or stone fireplace, the interiors of cottages often have a cozy and relaxing feel.

4. Ranch-Style House

A ranch-style house is a type of house with only one story and comes in a rectangular or L-shaped layout.

These houses originated in the U.S. and became popular in the 20th century.

These houses are commonly made of bricks, characterized by their simple layout and minimalist exteriors. These houses are typically low to the grand and have doors and windows that look basic and plain – no fancy decor or carving.

The interiors of ranch-style houses usually feature an open floor plan where the living and dining area flows smoothly into the kitchen. Meanwhile, the bedrooms are located in a separate wing.

Ranch-style houses are still widely popular nowadays, especially for people who like simple, practical, functional, and no-frills houses with minimalist designs that would never go out of style.

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5. Brownstone House

Brownstone houses are a type of terrace house or row house that you would often find in big cities.

They became popular in the 19th century, and you’d often see them in cities like New York, Chicago, Boston, and Washington.

These houses often come in rows of 3 to 5 houses, all with similar exterior designs and facades. They are primarily made of reddish-brown bricks, which is where their name came from.

Brownstone houses have a narrow, vertical design that helps maximize the living space. These houses typically have 3 to 4 stories.

The kitchen and the living spaces are often situated on the ground floor of these houses, while the rooms are on the higher floors. Some of these houses also have a basement.

These houses have ornate architectural details on the outside, while the interiors boast high ceilings and elegant-looking fireplaces and staircases.

These houses are common in wealthy neighborhoods in urban areas, and they have a rustic and historical charm, making them a popular housing choice in the city.

6. Victorian Houses

Victorian houses were popular in the Victorian area, thus the name, which was between 1837 to 1901.

These houses are known for their ornate details and elaborate brickwork. They also have an asymmetrical facade with off-center front doors.

Under the Victorian style, these houses were designed with other architectural influences such as Gothic Revival, Queen Anne, Romanesque Revival, and Italianate.

The roofs have steep slopes, and many of them have towers or turrets.  The bigger towers were used as observation decks, while the smaller ones were used to add lighting to the space.

Another unique characteristic of Victorian houses is the bold and bright colors that make them stand out from other styles of houses. These colors highlighted different parts of the house.

For example, a Victorian-style house would have white exterior walls, but you’d notice that the door, window trims, and other details are bold. This makes the house look more interesting.

This style may be too outdated for some people, but many still love Victorian houses because they have a historic feel and charm.

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7. Contemporary Brick House

Even though bricks were commonly used in the 18th and 19th centuries for building houses, many modern houses nowadays are still made of bricks.

Contemporary brick houses are known for their simple and practical designs. While the primary material is brick, modern materials, such as glass, stone, and concrete, are also used to construct these houses.

Large, plain, simple windows often characterize this house style. These windows create a sense of connection with the outdoor environment.

The exteriors are basic and unadorned, and the usual colors used on the outside are light and dark neutrals. Meanwhile, on the inside, these houses feature an open floor plan.

High ceilings give the illusion of an even bigger space, which makes the interiors feel bright and airy.

These houses are commonly found in suburban areas, especially those near the mountains or the oceans, where you can get breathtaking views, which is what those large windows are for.

While contemporary brick houses are made to be simple and practical, with functionality and sustainability in mind, these houses still look stylish. Plus, many people tend to gravitate towards the minimalist aesthetic of these houses.

Sources:

All You Need To Know About Brick Homes

Here’s What Distinguishes The Most Popular American House Style

20 Popular Types Of Houses And Home Styles