Table Of Content
- Cliff Houses: A Mesmerizing Blend of Architecture and Nature
- 12 Incredible Homes That Were Built By Their Owners
- Garden Sculptures: The Art of Transforming Your Green Space
- The History Behind Saltbox Homes
- Jethro Coffin House in Nantucket, Massachusetts
- Homes from the Original Colonies that Still Stand Today
According to legend, the roof form of a salt box house was a way to save some taxes from the law. This tactic was used by homeowners throughout the 1600s and 1700s to avoid a tox on two-story residences. The additional square level of the salt box house was hidden beneath the long sloping roof, giving the backside the appearance of a single story. Originating in New England around the mid-17th century, saltbox homes were initially created by adding a lean-to extension to the rear of an existing structure.
Cliff Houses: A Mesmerizing Blend of Architecture and Nature
Reverend John Smith built this saltbox home and lived there with his wife and their 13 children during the final quarter of the 17th century. The dwelling boasts such historic architectural elements as gunstock posts to support the walls and pumpkin pine beams from Maine. The house earned its name from its subsequent owner, whaling captain Abraham Hoxie, before it was acquired and restored by the small town of Sandwich in the 1950s. The saltbox got its unique name because the roof shape is reminiscent of old colonial saltboxes that were kept in the kitchen. These wooded boxes kept the families supply of salt and had a distinct slope on one side to allow easier access to scoop salt out when needed.
Walking tour to examine Stratford's saltbox house history - Westfair Online
Walking tour to examine Stratford's saltbox house history.
Posted: Thu, 27 Apr 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
12 Incredible Homes That Were Built By Their Owners
These houses not only symbolize architectural excellence but also embody the spirit of resilience and craftsmanship of our ancestors. Preservation techniques for Saltbox houses often involve a combination of stabilization, repair, and conservation efforts. Stabilizing the structure may include reinforcing the foundation, addressing rot or insect damage, and repairing structural elements as needed. Strategically placed windows in the new addition maximize natural light, provide sweeping views, and offer privacy from close-by neighbors.
Garden Sculptures: The Art of Transforming Your Green Space
15 Saltbox Houses Worth Their Salt - Bob Vila
15 Saltbox Houses Worth Their Salt.
Posted: Thu, 24 May 2018 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Saltbox dwellers of the past were typically farmers who maintained a strong connection to nature and weathered many challenging seasons. Shettleworth explains that owners of saltbox houses had "a very simple, rural existence that was tied directly to the land and the sea," he says. "Simplicity of the home itself was reflected in the life that happened within it; it was very much tied to the seasons and the challenge of getting through each winter." The structure's unequal sides and long, low rear roofline are its most distinctive features. If User does not agree to these terms, User is not authorized to use this Site. The material provided on this Site is protected by law, including, but not limited to, United States Copyright law and international treaties.2.
The architecture of traditional and modern saltbox homes is similar, but there are a few defining characteristics of the original structures. Colonial builds often featured exposed wood ceiling beams thanks to the simplicity of their design, which adds a beautiful rustic touch to today's well-maintained historic homes. Since early saltbox homes predated electricity, the fireplace was designed at the center of the home in order to radiate heat throughout each room. You'll likely find a large fireplace made of stone or brick for wood-burning fires. Some modern versions have a breezeway between the house and an add-on, like a garage. Some homes use metal siding, rather than the traditional wood clapboard siding, giving them a modern touch.
Jethro Coffin House in Nantucket, Massachusetts
Saltbox architecture is not a common sight, it is rare and interesting to look at from an architectural standpoint. A saltbox house’s large windows offer it a wonderful aesthetic aspect while also allowing you to take in more sunlight through its large windows. Saltboxes became the name for their slanting roofs, and the style spread from there. This style gained popularity in the 17th century, and the first saltbox roofs developed in colonial New England.
While the quintessential roofline is a thoughtful tribute to the region's history, Jacoby's modern adaption also serves a practical purpose. "For this particular project, it was more about site-specificity, climate, and environmental efficiency," Jacoby explains. The saltbox slope helps the home withstand extreme weather conditions while minimizing energy expenditure. The sloped roof also includes solar panels that reduce the use and cost of energy for homeowners. A classic staple of New England architecture, saltbox-style houses first appeared in the United States around 1650, making them among the oldest examples of American Colonial-style architecture.
And, it may have been in the middle of a field without other properties close by. This is because saltbox-style homes were traditionally owned by farmers and families who lived off the land. These slanted roofs allowed snow from harsh New England winters to fall off the roof easily, without someone having to climb onto the roof. So, saltbox houses were and continue to be a very practical choice for homeowners living in snowy climates. Initially, saltbox houses were built to expand living space for families and to combat the harsh winter weather of New England. The sloping roof was not only an architectural choice but also served a practical purpose by deflecting strong winds and facilitating the quick melting of snow.
Water can easily drain off and snow will not gather on your roof due to the sloped sides and absence of flat surfaces. This cheerful dwelling situated in the historic village of Nichols in Trumbull didn’t start off as a saltbox home, but rather as a Cape Cod-style cottage. The back roof is extended and low, providing a distinctive long rear profile, while the front side is shorter and higher. The saltbox roof is particularly advantageous in northern climates prone to mild to heavy rainfall and snow. Its design, with no flat parts, prevents snow accumulation and can withstand strong winds better than gable roofs, offering both practical and aesthetic benefits. The truth is, you can decorate a saltbox house the same way you would any reasonable home.
Users of this site are hereby informed that, pursuant to applicable laws and regulations, all dwellings advertised in the MetroList® service are available on an equal opportunity basis. The house was photographed earlier in 1967 by Guy Webster and featured prominently on the cover of blues guitarist Taj Mahal's self-titled debut album, released in early 1968. At the time the house was still in its original location, surrounded by a barbed wire fence. The center was typically turned into extra cooking space or a “keeping room,” a stove-heated space beside the kitchen where families slept in winter. The spaces on either side were often turned into a pantry and a “borning room” used for childbirth and illness.
Legend has it that the unique roof shape was a strategic response to Queen Anne's tax on two-story homes in the 17th and 18th centuries. By extending into a single-story structure at the rear, the roof cleverly concealed additional living space, potentially offering homeowners a way to circumvent the tax. Saltbox houses are named after the wooden salt boxes used in colonial kitchens. In addition to cozy space within the original structure, a new cantilevered building with creekside views offered additional living space for a young family, complete with a sunny modern kitchen and primary suite. A saltbox house is a historic style of home with a steep gabled roof featuring two stories in the front and one story in the back.
The saltbox building style has a signature, steeply pitched asymmetrical roof on one side, a central chimney, and often has clapboard siding. Saltbox houses are distinguished by their structural design, which typically features two stories in the front and one story at the rear, often complemented by painted shutters and shingles. A central chimney rising from the center of the house adds to the uniqueness of the saltbox structure. The enduring appeal of saltbox houses, coupled with their rich historical significance, continues to captivate those who value the blend of classic and contemporary architectural styles. She chose rough cedar cladding for the exterior because this knotty, natural material minimizes maintenance and patinas beautifully over time. "It has the lines and form of a modernist house coupled with the environmental efficiencies of a centuries-old vernacular style."
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