A Guide to Popular Home Architectural Styles

The architecture of homes in Canada is much like the demographics of the country: a melting pot of styles and designs. From the sprawling ranches to the towering Victorians, every street in the country has its own personality and priorities. To make a buyer's search more efficient and make buying a home more satisfying, it helps to understand the functionality as well as the aesthetic features of each type of home. Buyers can use this short guide to set their priorities and find the style that's right for them.

Classic Colonial

The colonial is one of the more durable homes a buyer could choose. These homes were primarily designed by the wealthy settlers of the area, and the quality of the craftsmanship is still apparent to buyers multiple decades later. Homeowners enjoy plenty of formal living space at the expense of smaller bedrooms.

Known for their symmetry and multiple stories, colonials have a door in the middle and a predictable pattern of windows flanking its sides. These homes are loaded with charm and personality, but they may not have the modern amenities that homeowners want. The ductwork or plumbing may end up becoming an expensive problem for owners down the line.

Picture-Perfect Victorian

Victorian houses are typically defined by the following characteristics:

• Bay Victorain Era windows
• Pitched roofs
• Pronounced gables
• High ceilings
• Carved woodwork

As these features may suggest, the Victorian was built to impress. Named for Queen Victoria, this home is as spacious as it is beautiful. They're perfect for larger families who want to make a strong statement. Like the colonial home though, Victorians are older and may require more maintenance. Even those that have been renovated will require constant upkeep and care.

The Practical Ranch

The ranch home is somewhat common in Canada because it's convenient and affordable. Originally meant for ranchers who wanted to be close to their land and livestock, the one-story home is appealing to homeowners and residents with limited mobility.

Ranches are easy to manipulate due to their open floorplans and often include an attached garage. Home buyers who want crave flexibility should strongly consider a ranch. If aging parents need to move in down the line or homeowners choose to have another child, it's relatively simple to add new rooms or outdoor space to a ranch.

The Beautiful Craftsman

The craftsman home was popular in the early 1900s until it started to be eclipsed by more economical styles. Craftsman homes are defined by the skills of the builder, so they can vary widely in terms of style and features. In fact, they were largely constructed as a response to the mass production of the Industrial Revolution.

Whether the builder has a specialty in wood, stone, or glass, the custom details are instantly recognizable at the buyer's first glance. Craftsman homes have started to become more in vogue in many places in the country. Those who love craftsman homes can scour their area to find modern twists on these historically beloved homes.

No matter which style a Westmount home buyer chooses, their decision will influence many of their future decisions. It all comes down to both the current and future needs of the homeowner. Those who want to limit their maintenance and hassle should consider a ranch home. Buyers who want their home to have a little drama and charm can choose a more ornate style that showcases the talent of the original builder.