Common home styles in Canada
Canada’s long winters require home construction quality that’s well equipped to handle ice, snow, and freezing temperatures. Canada’s climate, history, and landscape shaped the kind of architectural and housing styles that are still commonly seen here. A broad array of options can make choosing a home style intimidating, but Houseful helps you navigate your search to find a place that’s a good fit for you. Here are some common home styles in Canada, and how to find the right one for you.
How to choose a home style
When navigating architectural and design styles, it’s important to personalize your search. Here are some important considerations when searching common home styles in Canada:
- Space: does an open concept space suit your style of living? Can you live in a smaller space comfortably and save money on rooms you may never use?
- How does your home stand up to the elements? Is it well built, insulated and maintained to handle harsh winters? If it’s an older home, has it been updated?
- How big is your family, what rooms in the house do you spend the most time in, and how much space might you need in the future?
- What style of home appeals collectively to all of the people who will live here?
- How does the home style or type of property suit the lifestyle you want to have? For example, are multiple stories convenient for you? If you want to have pets, do condo rules allow them? If you’re choosing a ranch style home with big windows, does it offer the privacy you need?
Architectural styles in Canadian homes
Gothic
Gothic homes tie directly into Canada’s colonial history. British settlers brought their architectural style to Canada, introducing home structures with Gothic or Tudor detailing like lancet windows, scalloping, or big ornate windows. From the 19th to 20th century, British architectural styles took a foothold in Canada and are still evident in the aesthetic of many traditionalist Canadian homes. The Parliament Buildings in Ottawa are a great example of this style of architecture. These homes are most commonly seen in Toronto and in small Ontario towns like Dundas, Ontario.
Colonial
Colonial homes share some features with gothic houses. Colonial constructions in Canada typically have steep, pointed roofs, a large chimney, and smaller windows. Colonial homes can be in a Georgian style, with painted white brick, or in a French or German Colonial style, with wood shingles, timber frames, or exterior stairs.
Ranch
A ranch style home is a single story home, generally with an open interior concept, big windows, and outdoor space. This style of home was initially constructed to keep the interior of the home immediately accessible to a rural landscape. These homes are common in rural Canada. These days, ranch style homes are favoured for their wide-open interiors and open concept layouts. Houses with a single floor allow busy families to supervise kids while they’re multitasking. They’re also great for people with limited mobility, or for anyone who doesn’t want to go up and down stairs.
Craftsman
Craftsman homes are generally built with horizontal lines and natural materials used for a woodsy, warm appearance. Exposed wood beams and rafters and a covered front porch are common characteristics for this kind of house. The homes built around Canada’s Great Lakes, like in the Muskoka and Algonquin regions, commonly have a craftsman aesthetic to blend into the natural environment. Craftsman homes may have an additional story or loft.
Modern
Modern architecture is increasingly popular in Canada’s urban centres. Canadians have become progressively invested in modern architecture over the last decade, with modernist construction springing up in city centres and rural spaces alike. Modernist homes typically have flat roofs, laminated features, and boxy, industrial, square shapes. Modernist constructions are typically well built and require excellent craftsmanship, with open floor plans and none of the crown mouldings or flourishes of a gothic home to hide imperfections in construction.
Houseful can help you choose a home
Let Houseful help you pick the right style of home that suits your needs. Confidently navigate a wealth of options with a tailored search experience based on the features and details you care about most. Our comprehensive search experience lets you search for a home that matches your vision. We also break down search results into easy to understand, helpful ways to keep you on track.
Find more information on how to buy a home, how to sell your home, and mortgage and finance tips, see our Home Journey How-To’s or sign up at Houseful.ca.
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