If you are a fan of the HGTV show “House Hunters,” you can attest to the fact that Craftsman style homes are extremely popular (and not just with reality television “stars”). Let’s take a quick “tour” of the Craftsman.
A Short History
- Craftsman homes were first introduced in Southern California in the early 1900s.
- Brothers Charles Sumner Greene and Henry Mather Greene are credited with the concept which was a simple bungalow designed with intricate details.
- Craftsman bungalows became the most popular style of small house throughout the country from about 1905 through the 1920s.
- The key feature of Craftsman homes is the front porch which comes in a wide variety of sizes and colors.
Craftsman Front Porch Design Features
- A Craftsman style home can be a one or two story structure featuring a low-pitched, gabled roof with wide open eaves that overhang the façade.
- Many designs include decorative beams and braces beneath the gables.
- While the outside of the home has myriad details, the interior has a wide-open layout to maximize the typically limited square footage.
- Almost all original Craftsman homes have glass panes in the upper third of the front door, separated from the bottom paneled portion by a thick piece of trim.
- You’ll find mostly natural exterior colors on Craftsman style homes such as brown, green, burgundy, or yellow. They usually are at least two colors with the main part darker and the porch and trim lighter to act as accents.
The Signature Front Porch
- It is rare to find a Craftsman without a front porch. Porches can either be full or partial width and are either constructed beneath the main roof or under a separate, extended roof.
- A popular lighting choice are Mission style designs which are rectangular and made of dark, anodized metal. You’ll often find lights attached directly to the ceiling or in some cases hanging down on a short chain.
Transforming Your House into a Craftsman
- If your current home is a Ranch style but you love the look of a Craftsman, adding a front porch can give you the curb appeal you seek without a significant remodel. Since their low gable roofs mirror the lower profile of a Ranch home, they create an expansive feel and a very comfortable outdoor living space.
- Georgia Front Porch has transformed several customers’ homes by designing and building Craftsman porches and porticos which typically feature tapered stone piers, columns, exposed beams and generously overhanging eves.
If you love the Craftsman and want to explore the possibilities of adding a porch, give us a call at 770-781-8234 or contact us online and we’ll meet with you to help make your dream a reality.
