Character is one of those things everyone looks for when buying a property. Here is a guide of period houses to help you find your dream home.
Picture #1: This Fulham project was finished while our founder, Tania, was a project architect at EMR Architecture.
A period house usually refers to a property that was built before the First World War.
Periods are named after the ruling monarch when the property was built:
Tudor Period (1480–1603)
Stuart Period (1603–1714)
The Georgian era was much longer because of four successive kings bearing the name George (1714-1830)
The Victorian era name after Queen Victoria (1837-1901)
The Edwardian era name after Edward VII (1901-1910)
How do I differentiate period houses? Here is a guide with the characteristics of each period to help you.
Tudor (1430-1603)
The main characteristic is the classic black and white woodwork with the spaces between timbers filled with masonry or stucco. Tudor homes are also characterized by their steeply pitched gable roofs, masonry chimneys, decorated doorways or groupings of windows.
This style is the least influenced by architectural styles in continental Europe due to Britain's isolation during this period after Henry VIII founded the Church of England.
They are rare as they are the first buildings of any period to have survived in perfect condition until today.
Picture #1: Infographic Brits & Mortar created by Made.com
Stuart Period (1603–1714)
Its characteristics were tall hipped roofs with gabled dormers, symmetrically arranged windows and decorative pilaster columns. It took time to apply this style to housing but eventually started building houses from stone and brick, rather than timber.
Picture #2 Infographic Brits & Mortar created by Made.com
Georgian Period (1714-1830)
It is inspired by Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio. Its characteristics were: rigid symmetry in building mass as well as window and door placement, brick is predominantly used, hip roofs sometimes with dormers, decorative window headers and decorated entrance with arches, pediments etc. This style is very elegant and includes Greek motifs towards the end of the period.
Picture #3: Infographic Brits & Mortar created by Made.com
Victorian Period (1837-1901)
Externally its characteristics were: asymmetry was key and brick was the material of choice, they had steeply pitched roofs, plain or colourfully painted brick, ornate gables, painted iron railings, churchlike rooftop finials, sliding sash and canted bay windows, octagonal or round towers and turrets, two to three stories, generous wraparound porches and small gardens. From the inside they had grand staircases, high ceilings, wood wall panelling, decorative fireplaces and stained glass windows among others.
Picture #4: Infographic Brits & Mortar created by Made.com
Edwardian Period (1901-1910)
Less flamboyant than Victorian style houses the focus was on the inside. Paradigm of elegance, this period values light-filled spaces, craftsmanship as a result of Arts and Crafts movement, and elaborated textiles and patterns. They had lots of details such as skirting boards, cornices, ceiling roses, decorative fireplaces and colourful patterned tiles and wallpapers.
After reading this article it should easier to know the difference between period properties. We hope you enjoyed this post and feel more capable of identifying them from now on.
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