Ranch or Rambler Style houses have one level with all the main living spaces on that. Most have a front to back gable roof but some had a hip style (see roof styles).
The Raised Ranch or Split Foyer home has two stories. The lower story is at ground level or partially submerged below grade. From the main entrance, a half flight of stairs leads to the upper main living areas and half flight leads to the lower.
Colonial or Federal homes have two stories and are rectangle shaped. The have simple front to back sloped gable roofs, center hall/entry and stairs.
A Split-Level Ranch is typically divided into three parts. Each section is a half level off from the next. The lowest level is usually a basement but sometimes is like the above photo. Main level entrance combines the living room, dining room and kitchen.
Cape Cod Houses have a full height main level capped by a sleep pitched roof. This type of roof doesn’t allow for full height ceilings in the upper level, so they are typically sloped. All but some of the really old Cape Cods have front facing dog house dormers.
Bungalow or Craftsman houses come in many styles. The California Bungalow shown here has heavy square columns and a simple concrete foundation. They have one and a half stories with most of the living spaces on the ground floor. The roof is low sloped and sometimes has large shed dormers.
Victorian Houses were two and a half stories with wrap around porches and decorative architectural trim throughout. The gable roofs were steep, but not too steep. Most have rear ‘T’ shaped additions that were added as families grew larger.
Tudor Revival houses have the appearance of a medieval building with decorative half-timbers, steeply pitched roof and large chimneys. Exterior is masonry or stucco and has tall narrow windows with small panes.
A McMansion or Neoeclectic home can be difficult to describe because it combines many styles. The shape of the roof, the design of the windows, and decorative details may be inspired by several different periods and cultures. They are large and most were built in 1990 through early 2000’s but have been dated back to the 60’s.
Prairie style houses have low sloping roofs and horizontal lines. The eave overhangs are large, chimney is central and the one floor plan is open.
Spanish Mission houses had stucco siding, arched entry porch, large square pillars and roof parapets. The roofs were typically tiled with ornamental drainpipes.
Because they are built with adobe, Pueblo homes are sometimes called Adobes. Mostly found in the southwest these homes have massive round-edged walls and flat roofs. The heavy support timbers come through the walls and become rounded parapets.
Contemporary homes are known for their large windows and unusual shapes. They have open floor plans and are usually built with natural materials.
Modern and Post-Modern houses are symmetrical with horizontal shapes and flat roofs. They have walls of glass and open floor plans.
Neo-mediterrean houses are also called Mediterranean or Spanish style. They have low pitch roofs with ceramic roof tiles, stucco walls and arches above doors and windows.