Do you know the difference between a bunglow, a colonial and a tudor?

Not all of us are familiar with the archetectural styles that we often come across in the real estate market. Here is how The PlanCollection.com defines the difference between the common types of houses.

	Bunglows Bungalows are some of the most common homes found in older neighborhoods of America. These homes became very popular from the 1910's to the 1930's. Bungalows are generally narrow but deep homes often with detached or no garages. These homes are usually one story but sometimes 1-½ stories high. Bungalows usually have a small porch with columns set in large brick bases. These porches are often enclosed with screens to keep the bugs away on the summer nights on the porch.
	Cape Cods Cape cod style homes are small rectangular shaped homes designed for small families with 1.5 story structures. The exteriors vary from brick with masonry chimney, wide clapboard siding and sometime stucco. Garages are detached at the rear of the home.
	Colonial Colonial style home plans are generally two to two and one half story homes with a very simple and efficient design. This architectural style is very identifiable with its very simplistic rectangular shape and the large columns. These homes are also very symmetrical with equally sized windows generally spaced in a uniform fashion across the front of the home with decorative shutters. Colonial plans usually have one gabled roof from side to side or a hipped roof. Entrances are often accentuated with tall columns extending up both stories.
	Contemporary Contemporary styling is a combination of several styles and are often multi level homes. Some of the characteristics are: · Garage placement on the front of the home. Shallower pitched roofs that often extend from a higher level down over the lower level. Windows are large. Exteriors are a mix of materials like wood, brick, rock, siding and stucco. Vertical ornamentation in simple patterns.
	Ranch Originally known as the California Ranch, their styling is very simple and rectangular in shape. Ranch style homes generally have shallow pitched hipped roofs that extended across a single or double car garage. The draw back to the ranch style home is that is requires a large lot because of the width. Ranch style plans are most popular with three bedrooms and two baths. It can however be expensive because you must have a wide lot to built it.
	Split-level A variation of a ranch style home, split-levels have various levels at varying heights. Generally split-levels are a one level portion attached to a two-story section. Garages on split-level homes are often tucked beneath living space. Basements in split-level floor plans are generally very shallow thus the windows are just above the ground level providing a lot of sunlight through the windows into the lower level. These types of house plans are often described as having "daylight basements."
	Traditional Traditional homes are kind of a mix of several other styles but there are some basics that are usually consistent throughout traditional designs: Simple, often hipped rooflines. Brick or stucco exteriors are most common. Traditional plans are often single level floor plans with steeper roof pitches though lofts or bonus rooms are quite common. Covered porches. Open foyers.
	Tudor Tudor homes have a lot of architectural features that evolved from medieval times when large buildings were built in a post and beam fashion. The spaces between the large framing members were then filled with plaster to close off the building from the outside. Other features of Tudor style homes are complex and steep roof lines with various gables of alternating heights, dormers, and large sculpted brick chimneys.
	Victorian Most commonly two stories with steep roof pitches, turrets and dormers. Porches are often large with turned posts and decorative railing. Decorative gable trim, corbels, and a variation of exterior finishes. Many people seek these types of homes in good condition for restoration because of their timeless appeal.