Monday, 3 January 2011

What is a Period House?

Late Victorian Medium by Richard Russell-Lawrence
by Richard Russell-Lawrence

A typical period house is an urban terraced or semi-detached house built over seventy years ago. The original front of the house usually still has distinctive features  which are common to the period in which it was built such as a bay window. Bay windows began to be built after 1851 when both window and glass taxes were abolished. During the mid Victorian period (1851–1874) they were cant or straight sided.

The periods are not merely identified by the reigning monarch but by distinctive developments and features common to that generation. For example the reign of Queen Victoria spanned three generations and numerous developments which profoundly affected peoples homes such as the Public Health Acts of 1848 and 1875. During the late Georgian period (1774-1810) the population of the United Kingdom began to change from having an urban minority of twenty-five per cent. By 1914 the country had an urban majority of eighty per cent.

2 comments:

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  2. This post is a fantastic resource for anyone interested in architectural heritage or restoring an older home. Your breakdown of the key features of period houses—whether Georgian, Victorian, or Edwardian—is both accessible and detailed. I especially appreciated the way you highlighted the craftsmanship and thoughtful design that defined each era. It’s easy to forget, in a world of mass production, just how much artistry went into even the smallest architectural details. This kind of knowledge is so valuable for homeowners who want to preserve authenticity during renovations. If someone is looking to restore a period home with care and historical sensitivity, R for Remodelers would be a great partner. They specialize in high-quality renovations that respect the original character of a home while bringing it up to modern standards. Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful and educational piece!

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