My House

Most traditional houses are distinguished by a main body that is the most important form. The main body has a simple volume with a primary roof form. Main bodies may be one or two stories in height with roofs that are gabled, hipped, flat or shed in form. Each house style has a few commonly used main bodies.

Quite often the space of the main body is expanded with wings and dormers. Side wings visible from the street may be attached to the main body of the house as one- or two-story elements. Rear wings expand the size of the house without altering the appearance of the main body from the street. Dormers are often added to increase the living area under the roof.

Once the main body and wings are determined, various door and window compositions can be explored. Most house styles have distinctive patterns of windows and doors producing balanced and picturesque compositions.

Windows and doors are available today from a wide range of manufacturers and come in almost any shape and size. Historically correct, proportioned and detailed doors and windows are critical to reinforcing the house style.

Porches are important elements in the neighborhood and find expression in almost every architectural style. Determining the appropriate design for porch elements including the roof, column, cornice and railing is key to establishing the house’s character.

The assembly of the main body, wings, dormers, openings, windows and doors, and the porch will produce a house of recognizable style and quality no matter the size. Appropriate design and materials for these various elements are discussed further in each My Chattanooga House Style section.