Greek Revival Roof Pitch

During the 1870s stymied new construction.

Greek revival roof pitch.

Craftsman style architecture spanish eclectic style greek revival style architecture monterey style. The upper roof typically ranges from flat to a low sloped 4 12 pitch. The goal of mediterranean revival homes is to give resort style living space to homeowners. Originally hand split from local woods oak and pine in the northeast to cypress in the south wood shingles were typically shaved smooth for high style and garden variety houses.

Homes built in this style have a low pitched gable and hip roof. For builders in timber rich north america wood shingles were the obvious choice for the earliest roofs and ultimately the most common roofing material for houses well into the 20th century. In the original greek revival properties of the nineteenth century either cedar shingles of standing seam tin were the main materials used for the construction of the roofs. Once the roof becomes visible from the street the material choice becomes important and the same argument applied to greek revival and italianate styles holds true here.

Mediterranean and spanish architecture both have a low pitched tile roof stucco exteriors and wrought iron windows and balconies. Gothic revival style 1835 1880 stick style architecture. In the vast majority of houses the columns are simple molded pilasters. If you have a true colonial era house say a new england georgian or a gambrel roofed dutch colonial revival or a shingle style house better stick with wood shingles or a close modern approximation.

Appropriate to the nation s emerging sense of self one of the country s first greek revival buildings was the second bank of the united states built in philadelphia. Stucco and wood and occasionally stone are the essential building materials of the greek revival style. Front gabled or tri gable steep pitch. In time greek revival architecture became known as the national style so pervasive were the temple fronted façades on the nation s churches banks town halls and houses.

The most high style greek revival buildings in the state have plaster ceiling medallions formed of grecian favorites such as anthemions or acanthus. In its massing pitch and in the material you choose to cover it the roof is a big indicator of house style. While the exterior has clear influences from spanish revival architecture. A distinctive feature of greek revival properties is the shape of the roof.

Common greek revival mantel is in the aedicule style an entablature resting on two columns seen as a unit. Intended to resemble stone or marble temples the buildings were usually painted white or enhanced with a faux finish such as the lee mansion at arlington national cemetery. Cross gabled low pitch roof. With its symmetrical shape low roof lines columns and pediments the style mimicked greek temples and was thought by americans at the time to embody the concept of democracy.

Roof dormers as architectural features are described separately at roof dormer types photo guide.