NJ Architecture

Cape Code

Most known for its steep pitched roofs, Cape Cod architecture was introduced to the U.S. by English colonists to combat New England winters, according to The Spruce. The low ceilings and central chimney helped keep the inside warm, and the roof style keeps snow from piling up.

The original version of these homes had two bedrooms on the second floor and one bathroom on the first floor, but new adaptations of the style have at least three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Colonial

There are many versions of the colonial-style home. They vary depending on what era they are from and where. Many historical deemed colonial homes can be found in Allentown, Princeton, Montclair, and more. They typically include façade ornaments such as grand white columns, multiple chimneys, and are rectangular.

Many colonial homes built in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s go by center hall colonial homes due to the hallway that spits the house in the center, and they typically do not have grand columns or dormers. Center hall colonials are prevalent in Hamilton Twp., Orange Twp., Ridgewood, and more.

Colonial homes built today are typically grander in size but remain rectangular as an ode to their predecessors.

Ranch

Ranch-style homes are prevalent throughout New Jersey. It’s the perfect style home for those who hope to age in place due to being only one story. There are two prevailing versions of this style, and the differentiating factor is whether it has a garage.

Other than that, ranch homes are long, narrow, and rectangular. Often, they do not have a front porch and appear to have larger yards due to the home’s stature.

Beach Cottage

Found in Ocean and Monmouth Counties, beach cottage-style homes are like Cape Cods with the higher-pitched roofs, but often have more of an ornamental design. They’re more likely to include a front porch, dormers, bay windows, and more.

Shingles are also typical with these home as it appears like driftwood after it begins to wear in with time.

Modern Beach Cottage

If you have ever visited Long Beach Island, you will immediately picture these homes in your head. After Superstorm Sandy, many townships along the shore required new build homes to have “non-living” first floors with pilings, commonly a garage or storage space.

Modern beach cottages take elements from the historical beach cottages but make them grander and include modern touches such are dark windowpanes, multi-car garages, and more ornamental windows. They keep their beach cottage style intact with shingles and speakeasy-style roof lines.

Victorian

These homes are far from plain and are prevalent in Cape May, Rocky Hill, Westfield, and more. They have a unique shape featuring plentiful window popouts, stained glass, grand front porches, and arched interior doorways. Victorian-style homes were typically from the 1800s, and many require a little TLC. Many of these homes in Cape May along the ocean were reclassified as commercial bed and breakfast properties.