STEP TWO
Early folk architectural styles are defined by simple, functional designs built with locally available materials, adapting European traditions to the harsh climate. These are really vernacular styles that have been influenced by French and British architecture. They typically featured steeply pitched roofs, stone or timber walls, small multi-pane windows, and large central fireplaces. This style prioritizes durability, constructibility and practicality in early colonial settlements. These styles evolves well into the 20th century, incorporating new materials and modern light framing techniques while maintaining their utilitarian forms.
Fig. 1. Colonial Folk Style House
Colonial Folk
A classic, practical form of early colonial architecture, characterized by its distinctive sloping roof and efficient, unadorned design. There are many regional variations. There is an undeniable charm to these houses, particularly the elegant, preserved examples that are more common in the North Eastern States than in Canada.
| Era | 1780-1850 |
|---|---|
| Form | Rectangular. Primarily symmetrical but additions often asymmetrical. |
| Storeys | 1, 1.5, 2 |
| Façade | Constructed from local stone, wood bevel or shake siding or log depending on the region and material availability. Small, asymmetrically placed windows. Massive chimneys, often placed centrally or at the gable ends. |
| Roof | Steeply pitched gable. Sloping roof extends over rear addition. |
| Windows | Small, multi-pane casement or sash windows, often deeply set into thick stone walls. Wood shutters in some cases. Dormer windows appear in later versions, increasing usable space in upper floors. |
| Details | Functional door placement but centre placement common. Batten style doors. Modest, unadorned detailing. |
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-This guide provides a brief, highly graphical overview of Canada's architectural heritage, highlighting the defining characteristics of various building styles and types across different historical periods. We love older Parks Canada publications.
Parks Canada. Buildings of Canada: A Guide to Styles and Types. 1980, https://www.historicplaces.ca/media/7173/buildingsofcanada.pdf.
-This guide, commissioned by an East coast municipality, is quite comprehensive. It provides more detailed information on the architectural styles that are common in Canada.
Town of Sackville. Heritage Architecture Style Guide. 10 Mar. 2014, https://sackville.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Heritage_Architecture_Style_Guide_Final_10March2014.pdf.
-This book provides a comprehensive overview of major architectural styles and building terminology in Ontario from the late 18th century to relatively modern times.
Blumenson, John J.-G. Ontario Architecture: A Guide to Styles and Building Terms, 1784 to the Present. Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 1990.
-A concise introduction to considering the architectural character of your home is provided in the U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Cultural Resources - Preservation Guides. The National Park Service preservation guides are a great resource in general and well worth exploring.
-This book outlines what to look for, what to do and what not to do when working on important building details.
Cusato, Marianne, and Ben Pentreath. Get Your House Right: Architectural Elements to Use & Avoid. Sterling, 2007.
-This book provides an excellent detailed guide to American residential architecture (basically the same as Canadian architecture).
McAlester, Virginia Savage. A Field Guide to American Houses (Revised): The Definitive Guide to Identifying and Understanding America's Domestic Architecture. Knopf, 2015.
-This book provides detailed information on building elements.
Benjamin, Asher. The American Builder's Companion. Illustrated ed., Feb. 26, 2009, Dover Publications.
-This book provides detailed information on building elements indicating scale and proportion.
Radford, William A., Bernard L. Johnson, and Charles P. Rawson. Radford's Portfolio of Details of Building Construction: A Remarkable and Unique Collection of Full-Page Plates, Accurately Drawn and Reproduced to Exact Scale. Complete Details for Every Style of Interior Trim, Including Special Built-In Features. Illustrated ed., Dover Publications, Aug. 31, 2012.
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