Traditional Home Styles:  the Difference Between Colonial, Georgian, and Federal

I had a passing understanding of the features of traditional architectural styles, but a description of a home in a magazine recently prompted a deeper dive.  That research led to a better appreciation for what we on the East Coast and in the Midwest consider to be “traditional” residential architecture.  If you have ever wondered about the differences between Colonial, Georgian, and Federal styles, or what “revival” is all about, read on.  Or, just scroll for some pretty pictures.

colonial/georgian

Colonial and Georgian are pretty synonymous, as Georgians are Colonials.  (The reverse isn’t always true; there are Dutch Colonials and French Colonials).  The Georgian style became the dominant architecture in England during the reigns of King George I, II, and III.  It was based on the work of British architect Sir Christopher Wren (local readers and W&M alums will recognize the name from the College of William & Mary’s Wren Building).  English colonists emulated Georgian style in constructing their own buildings in the New World using “pattern books” that outlined construction features and detailing.  During and after the Revolutionary War, Americans didn’t want to associate with the term “colonial,” and “Georgian” became favored to describe the architectural style.

Features of Georgian architecture include:

• Strict adherence to symmetry in building design, window and door placement, and room layout.
• Structures are usually wider than tall, with the highest point in the center.
• Front facades feature 5 windows over 4 with the entry door in the center. 
• Homes are built around a center hall and staircase. 
• Exterior materials depended on location, with wood clapboard often used in northeastern states and brick more prevalent in southeastern states. 
• Hipped roofs were common, with gabled roofs also popular. 
• Double hung windows, often with decorative pediments (in wood clad homes) or ornamental brick headers (in brick homes). 
• Decorative elements around the exterior such as pediments, decorative brick work, arched tops, and corner quoins. 
• Interiors feature high ceilings and lots of decorative mouldings and paneling.

federal

The Federal style can be considered a refinement or extension of Georgian.  Federal rose to popularity in the period following the Revolution, when United States was honing a government and culture separate from England.  Americans were developing a distinct architectural style, albeit one that was still heavily influenced by Scottish architect Robert Adam.  Federal style buildings were constructed in cities up and down the East Coast.  Fun fact:  the White House is a Federal style building.

features of federal architecture include:

• Rectangular building structure, with two or three stories, and two rooms deep. 
• Taller and narrower than Georgian buildings.
• Shallower roof pitch versus Georgians.
• Less rigidity with respect to symmetry.  Asymmetrical wings were accepted in the quest for function over form. 
• Design elements are generally more understated than Georgian, with simple columns, mouldings and adornments.  Palladian windows, and fanlights and sidelights surrounding the entrance are common. 
• Similar to the Georgian style, the construction materials used were dependent on location, with wood more common in the North and brick more common in the South. 
• In spite of the differences, it can be difficult at times to distinguish a Georgian from a Federal.  If the exterior doesn’t give it away, the interior will.  Federal interiors are more understated, with smaller rooms (sometimes oval or octagonal!) and less intricate mouldings.

and what about “revival”?

The Georgian style experienced a “revival” in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries.  Georgian Revival (aka Colonial Revival) style leans heavily on many elements of original Georgian architecture and design.  Buildings are symmetrical, but not rigidly so, allowing for wings and attached garages that would not have been present in original Georgian construction.  Residences are built around a center entrance and staircase.  Five windows over four with the entry door in the center is still the norm, but larger combination windows are also used.  Georgian Revival style incorporates Classical and Palladian elements.  Features include paneled entry doors, transoms, fanlights, sidelights, dentil mouldings, columned porticos, dormers, keystones, and corner quoins.

I hope you enjoyed this primer on traditional architectural styles. For a bit of information on traditional interiors, check out my article about Louis-style furniture.