Types of Dwellings

Types of Dwellings

• Single-story homes are suitable for families with young children and those with mobility issues, as all bedrooms and living spaces are on the same floor.
• Two-story homes typically have bedrooms on the second floor and an entrance hall, living room, and dining area on the ground floor.
• Townhouses are narrow, multi-floor homes that share one to two walls with adjacent properties, often in rows of uniform homes.
• Contemporary homes reflect today's architecture style, featuring clean lines, natural lighting, and a minimalist feel.
• Bi-level/Raised Ranch homes have two levels of living area, with a split-foyer entrance and the lower level partially below ground level.
• Tri/Split-level homes are divided side to side, with three levels of living area, and a split roof design.

Foundation Types

• Slab Foundation: homes are built directly on a concrete slab at grade or on ground.
• Crawlspace Foundation: an unoccupied, unfinished, narrow space within a building, between the ground and the first floor.
  • Excavated Crawl Space: an excavated foundation area below a residence, less than 5 feet in depth, used for access to plumbing and heating equipment.
  • Unexcavated Crawl Space: an unexcavated foundation area below a residence, less than 5 feet in depth, used for access to plumbing and heating equipment.
• Basement, Below Grade: homes are built directly on a concrete slab at grade or on ground.
• Basement, Daylight: an excavated area below the ground floor, typically at least 8 feet in depth, with at least one full-sized window open to the exterior.
• Basement, Walkout: a basement with a wall with windows and a door that you can walk out of on the ground level.
• Post and Piers: built on wooden posts or concrete piers set into the ground to bear the weight of the house.

Types of Sidings

• Brick Siding: a popular siding option that can last over 100 years with minimal maintenance, termite-proof, and durable, but expensive.
• Stone Siding: a form of siding that resembles natural stone, made from a mixture of Portland cement, aggregates, and iron oxides.