What Are Built-Together Houses Called? 8 Names (Attached Houses)

It is common to see houses built together or attached side-by-side in urban and suburban locations. These houses often share one or more walls and come in similar sizes, configurations, and designs.

These houses are generally referred to as row houses, but there are more specific names for them.

Today, we will discuss what these 8 different houses are called and what makes each attached house different from the others:

1. Duplex

A duplex is a residential building consisting of two attached houses with the same configuration, size, structure, and facade.

Some duplexes are built with one stacked on the other instead of attached side by side. Some duplexes may share a gate, front yard, and backyard,d while others may have separate gates and outdoor spaces.

These houses share a single side wall but are considered separate units, each with its entrance, living and dining areas, kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms.

The interiors of these two houses look the same when stripped down, so it is up to the occupants to furnish and decorate them as they please.

Owning the unit would give you more freedom to renovate and remodel the house, especially the interiors. You can change the flooring, repaint the walls, place wallpapers, and even add interior walls if you follow your area’s local building codes and regulations.

Duplexes are popular rental properties, especially in suburban areas. They are also used as permanent dwellings for multi-generational families.

2. Triplex

A triplex is the same as a duplex but with three houses attached and built together side-by-side.

These houses share at least one side wall, with the central unit sharing two side walls.

Like duplexes, triplex houses have the same configuration, size, structure, and facade. Some triplexes may have the units stacked on each other instead of having them attached side by side.

Houses in a triplex may have separate yards and gates. Meanwhile, some may share a huge front yard that functions as a common outdoor space for the occupants of all three houses.

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3. Quadruplex

Like a duplex or triplex, a quadruplex is a residential building consisting of four houses.

Quadraplexes are commonly attached, sharing side walls, and they all have the same size, configuration, structure, and facade.

However, some may have houses stacked on top of each other.

They may also share a single yard or outdoor space, while some may have separate yards and gates.

4. Townhouses

Townhouses are attached houses with several units built together, sharing one or more walls.

These houses typically have the same size, structure, configuration, and design and are often part of a larger group of townhouses or row houses.

Townhouses are often managed by a building authority or homeowners’ association. In most cases, even if you own the house, you can’t renovate or permanently change its exterior. This is to ensure uniformity on the outside.

However, following building codes and regulations, you may be allowed to renovate the interiors.

For example, you can renovate the kitchen and add kitchen counters. You may also change the flooring, repaint the walls, add built-in cabinets and storage, and change the kitchen backsplash.

In addition, even though townhouses all have the same facade, these houses have their front yards, balconies, or outdoor spaces, which homeowners are free to design and customize as they, please.

So if you live in a townhouse, you can make your house stand out by decorating it from the outside.

Unlike standalone family houses, townhouses are generally more affordable, offering more space and privacy than apartment buildings.

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5. Terrace Houses

Terrace houses are another type of row house. This residential building consists of tall, narrow houses built together, sharing one or two walls with the other units.

Each house has three or four stories. This is to use the vertical space to add more living spaces inside the house.

The ground floor is where you often find the living area, dining area, and kitchen, while the bedrooms are on the upper levels.

Terrace houses often have a small front yard, while some may have a backyard as additional outdoor living space.

Like other row houses, terraces houses have the same look, size, configuration, and structure. They also come in the same architectural style.

Terrace houses offer an affordable housing option in cities with expensive properties. However, there are some cons to living in a terrace house, such as having limited natural light and being exposed to noise coming from neighboring units.

Terrace houses grew in popularity during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Today, they are still commonly found in urban areas with well-preserved exteriors, while the interiors have been renovated to add modern amenities for more convenience.

6. Brownstone Houses

A brownstone house is a type of townhouse. Like townhouses, brownstone houses consist of a few units built together and attached side by side.

Brownstone houses got their name because these exterior walls are made from brown sandstone, a durable construction material commonly used in old buildings in the 19th century.

Apart from this distinct characteristic, these houses also have ornate details on the exteriors.

These houses often have three to five stories, and the interiors feature high ceilings and grand staircases. Back then, these houses were a popular choice for urban housing for wealthy families.

Nowadays, brownstone houses are still popular in urban areas, particularly in densely populated cities like Boston and New York.

While some brownstone houses remained single-family homes for wealthy people, some brownstone buildings have been converted into apartment buildings.

The exteriors remained intact, but the interiors have been renovated and made to accommodate multiple and smaller units, such as studios or one-bedroom apartments, to fit more people.

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7. Condominium

A condominium is a type of residential housing unit within a larger building or, in some cases, a complex of buildings. For condos, each housing unit is individually owned.

This means that every owner is responsible for maintaining their unit while paying a monthly fee, also called an association fee, that covers the maintenance of the shared facilities in the building or complex.

Some shared building facilities may include a swimming pool, fitness center, clubhouse, courtyard or outdoor space, parking area, playground, and jogging path.

As the occupants own the unit, they can renovate and remodel the interiors, following building codes and regulations.

They can repaint the interior walls, add kitchen counters and storage cabinets, add floor tiles and wallpapers, and even add interior walls.

Condominiums can come in different styles and configurations – from townhouses to low-rise and high-rise buildings. In urban areas, condominiums are high-rise buildings, while the ones in suburban areas are usually low to mid-rise buildings.

Condominiums are quite common in urban and suburban areas that are densely populated since this type of housing helps maximize space. While some people live in their condos permanently, some sublet units to generate extra income or convert them into Airbnb or vacation rentals.

8. Apartment

An apartment is another type of housing that is built together. In concept, apartments are similar to condominiums, wherein the housing units are inside a larger building or complex.

What makes apartments different from condominiums is ownership. You can only rent an apartment unit, but you can never buy or own it.

The building or property owner owns the unit; therefore, you cannot permanently change it.

If you want to renovate your apartment, you have to get permission from the building owner or property manager, and in most cases, you would only be allowed to use renter-friendly solutions.

In addition, if you make any changes, you must return the unit to its original state when you move out.

For example, if you want to place wallpapers, you would have to use the peel-and-stick kind so you can remove them when you move out. If you want to change the backsplash in your kitchen, you can only use peel-and-stick tiles.

If you want to hang something on the wall, you can drill a small hole, but you must fill it when you move out.

Like condominiums, apartments offer shared amenities such as fitness centers, co-working spaces, laundry rooms, and a swimming pool.

Apartments are a popular housing option in urban areas, especially in densely-populated cities.

Sources:

The Charm Of The Attached Home

Types Of Houses: Popular And Common Styles In Real Estate

Classification Of Residential Structures