| National-style homes are common across the | | | | "hall-and-parlor family" and "I-house" |
| nation, but not always easy to identify. | | | | styles, both of which have narrow floor plans |
| That's because they tend to mix several | | | | that are generally two rooms across and one |
| pre-Victorian era building styles, as well as | | | | room deep, with two floors. National homes |
| Native American building traditions. The | | | | with floor plans that are deeper than one |
| result is a surprisingly simple and elegant | | | | room are referred to as "massed" homes - |
| architectural form that's great for building | | | | these often have a large gable on the side of |
| attractive, affordable homes, and has just | | | | the building, as well as a shed-roofed porch. |
| enough ornamental appeal to work on high-end | | | | Whichever type of floor plan is used, a |
| custom homes. | | | | National home typically features rectangular |
| | | | shaped rooms and a pyramid-shaped roof. |
| To understand the look of a National home, | | | | |
| it's important to go back to the style's | | | | National homes also typically feature large |
| roots. This is perhaps the building method | | | | front verandas reminiscent of French Creole |
| most closely tied with Native American | | | | and Dutch Revival styles. However, porches in |
| building styles, which date back centuries, | | | | this style are different in that they are |
| and were loosely adopted by settlers | | | | higher from the ground than French Creole |
| throughout the 19th century. When Victorian | | | | verandas, and more centered on the house than |
| architecture became popular across the nation | | | | those used in the Dutch Revival style. |
| in the early 20th century, the National style | | | | |
| was chosen by builders who wanted to preserve | | | | While National homes are quite attractive, |
| the best aspects of Native building in modern | | | | they have been criticized in geographic |
| homes. For this reason, National homes tend | | | | regions for its vulnerability to storms and |
| to have a narrow profile, with steep angled | | | | high winds. The high pitched roofs on these |
| roofing similar to teepee and lean-to | | | | homes, in particular, are known for "catching |
| construction, and often including four or | | | | wind like a sail," and easily being torn off |
| more high gables. Other Victorian-era homes, | | | | houses in hurricanes. |
| by contrast, have less gabling, and a wider, | | | | |
| more squared profile. | | | | Where practical however, National homes have |
| | | | always made a good choice for builders |
| National-style homes come in a wide variety | | | | looking to combine afford ability and easy of |
| of subsets. Most common are the | | | | use with a stylish design. |