Houses come in many styles and builds – it’s part of what makes them so unique and desirable. From the Mediterranean style to the Cape Cod style, the possibilities are endless. A historically popular house style is the split-level house, which emerged from the raised ranch-style house in the 1930s, but gained popularity in the 1950s. This architectural style has fallen in popularity recently, but continues to be a great housing option for many homebuyers.
Characterized by its multi-story, simple, and spacious design, the split-level house is perfect for households large and small. So whether you’re looking to buy or rent a home, a split-level house may be for you.
History of the split-level house
Also called tri-level homes, the split-level house originated as a spin-off of the ranch-style house. The style gained popularity as soldiers returned home from WWII and began to have children, signaling the start of the baby boom. The abundance of larger households needed fast housing options. Because split-level houses could be built quickly and affordably, they were the best choice, popping up in cities across the country like Rochester, NY, and Kansas City, MO. These homes were also perfect for suburban life – they could fit easily on small, square plots of land and had an attached garage.
Characteristics of the split-level house
If you’ve seen The Brady Bunch, you’ll know exactly what a split-level house looks like. While designs can vary widely, these modest homes have at least three floors connected by short flights of stairs. The front door usually leads into the common area, with short stairs down to the garage and laundry room and up to the bedrooms. Common features include low-pitched roofs, integrated garages, large living areas, natural materials, minimal ornamentation, and plenty of windows.
Split-level houses are considered two-story homes even though they have three or more floors. This is because the main room, which connects the…