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Many homes built later in the 18th century used a technique called balloon framing. While balloon framing is a faster construction method, there is no beam in the center of the home’s roof to stop fires from spreading. Although it took a little longer, this made post-and-beam construction better and safer for homeowners. Interestingly, the front door of the historic home was initially centered on the facade opposite the sloping roof (facing away from the street). Albertsson shifted the entrance to the right side to improve curb appeal and usability, adjusting the architectural plans and saving a generations-old, original oak tree on the property. In addition to new windows and mechanical components, the interior received a modern saltbox-style makeover with a reconfigured kitchen, a fresh mix of furnishings, and new coats of paint.
What makes a saltbox house unique?
Traditionally, they didn’t have additional buildings like a carriage house or garage. Saltbox homes range from about 1,000-3,000 square feet, although some modern versions are even larger. Historically owned by farmers, saltbox architecture was typically an economical choice due to its smaller size, around 1,000 square feet. Although building them took considerable time due to the post-and-beam style of construction, this construction method also allowed homeowners to use fewer metal nails, which were very expensive at the time. Her goal was to make the circa-1725 home livable and fresh while preserving historical attributes.
Saltbox house style – the ultimate guide
Original designs incorporate traditional characteristics like exposed wood ceiling beams and large fireplaces, while modern variations often feature sleek, angular architectural lines and minimalistic interiors. Built during the 17th and 18th centuries, American saltbox houses were named after commonly used wooden salt containers from the colonial period. Historic saltbox houses are easily identified by their signature one-sided sloped rooflines and simple colonial facades. Originally named for the wooden salt boxes common in the Colonial era, which had a sloped front lid, saltbox houses are typically built from wood.
Saltbox Houses in the Historic American Buildings Survey
The sloped roof is also said to have been developed so that the heavier snowfall in the northern states would slide off easier as it melted and create less of a weight burden for the rooftop. Regional variations in Saltbox house design are notable and reflect the specific architectural traditions of different areas. In Connecticut, for example, Saltbox houses often featured a one-and-a-half-story design, with the lower level serving as storage or workspace. This variation allowed for a more efficient use of space and catered to the needs of the agricultural communities. In the late 18th century, the Federal style emerged, bringing with it a departure from the symmetrical and simplistic designs of Colonial New England.
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The house’s footprint was often oriented specifically to ensure each room would receive the maximum possible amount of sunlight through its windows. Rachel Silva, the Assistant Digital Editor at ELLE DECOR, covers design, architecture, trends, and anything to do with haute couture.
Jethro Coffin House in Nantucket, Massachusetts
This creates a break even though both parts of the house were built at the same time. What started out of sheer practicality soon caught on, and by 1680 the Saltbox was an architectural style in its own right. New Englanders began building their homes with the lean-to addition and slanted roof included right from the start. With its asymmetrical roof and restrained facade, the Saltbox house has become an icon of New England’s coastal areas. When Colonial-era families first developed the style, though, they weren’t aiming for aesthetic appeal.
User must be a prospective purchaser or seller of real estate with a bona fide interest in the purchase or sale of such real estate.3. User may not sell or use any of the real estate data on this Site for any purpose other than attempting to evaluate houses or properties for sale or purchase by User. One popular bit of folklore suggests the Saltbox architectural style really came into its own thanks to Queen Anne’s taxation of homes higher than one story. In reality, it’s unlikely this law had as much influence as the style’s other practical benefits. North American immigrants used mortar and pestle to pound salt lumps for cooking reasons before salt and pepper shakers were invented, they were also used to keep food fresh. A saltbox house’s chimney is often located at one end of the upper living room, which could result in water damage to that wall if leaks originate from the roof or elsewhere.
Think you know what a saltbox house looks like? Think again - CBC.ca
Think you know what a saltbox house looks like? Think again.
Posted: Sat, 21 Sep 2019 07:00:00 GMT [source]
There are also contemporary adaptations of saltbox homes that appeal to history buffs and modernists alike. An easy way to remember the saltbox style is that it resembles an asymmetrical A-frame home turned to the side. These houses feature practical gabled roofs, but the shape of the roof and lack of dormer windows distinguish these homes from Cape Cods, Colonials, and other historic designs.
It provided a means of heating the entire house, with fireplaces on both floors connected to the chimney. The chimney also acted as a structural support, helping to stabilize the house. The design of the Saltbox house was primarily driven by practicality and the need to adapt to the challenging environment of New England.
Built by Amesbury town clerk Thomas Macy circa 1649, this expansive plum-colored saltbox was sold to sawmill owner Anthony Colby in 1654 and remained in the Colby family for nine generations. Now a house museum open for private tours, Macy-Colby House earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008. By protecting and celebrating Saltbox houses, we celebrate the stories embedded within their walls and contribute to the cultural tapestry of our communities.
Despite the variations, the fundamental design of the Saltbox house remained intact, with the iconic sloping roofline being the defining feature throughout its evolution. The ability of the Saltbox style to adapt and incorporate different architectural influences is a testament to its flexibility and enduring appeal. In summary, the unique roofline of Saltbox houses not only adds to their aesthetic charm but also serves important design and functional purposes.
The style originated as a quick, economical way to add living space to the back of an existing two-story home. Soon, these lean-to additions led to the popularization of the sloped roof style we see today. Early saltbox house examples from the 17th century are often additions; later builds were constructed with the sloped roof and additional living space included from the start. As rectangular buildings with high-pitched roofs and unadorned central entrances, Saltbox houses are in many ways similar to Cape Cod houses. What sets the Saltbox architectural style apart is the rear single-story addition and the asymmetrical roofline it creates. In the United States, many architectural styles were influenced by colonial architecture, such as Georgian, Cape Cod, Dutch Colonial, and French Colonial architecture.
They are easily spotted by their distinctive long, slanted roof, which drops from two stories in the front of the building to a single story in the rear. Like the Boston and Farmington homes, Portsmouth-style homes have nine windows on the front facade. A gambrel roof – a two-sided sloped roof – on the top floor creates more living space and room for small windows.
The simplicity of the Cape Cod style melded seamlessly with the Saltbox design, creating a unique blend of architectural characteristics. Many updated saltbox homes and modern builds also feature today's tongue-and-groove hardwood flooring, which uses thinner boards in an offset pattern that fits almost seamlessly together. Polished hardwood floors became popular in the late 19th century, so it's not uncommon to find familiar flooring in newer styles. If you've ever wondered what these beautiful homes look like inside, where their history started, or what their features are, keep reading to learn the ins and outs of saltbox houses. Despite the fact that the style dates all the way back to the 1600s, saltbox architecture still feels fresh and modern—especially in the right surroundings.
The Saltbox house style has evolved over time, adapting to changing architectural trends and regional influences. From its humble beginnings in Colonial New England, the Saltbox design has undergone transformations that reflect the diverse architectural history of different regions. The central chimney, a notable feature of many Saltbox houses, was constructed using bricks or stones.
The house is now owned by the town and is a historic home museum available to the public. They remained a popular choice in the 17th and 18th centuries and have become a staple of early American architecture in this region. His work has appeared in GQ, Conde Nast Traveler, Playboy, Vice, and Architectural Digest, where he also worked as the local news editor. Exposed ceiling beams can also create a more historic look, and rounded, weathered-looking beams won’t have the same quality if you’re pairing them with stainless steel appliances.
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