Like in every country the UK has a mixture of architectural styles from ultra-modern homes to periodic Victorian and Edwardian homes. Have you ever thought what period your home was built in? We will help you to understand the period your home was built in and how you can see the difference in the types of properties.

Georgian Properties

The main characteristics of a Georgian property are…

• Usually three or four storeys
• Sash windows/ taller windows
• Render is usually white or cream
• Built around garden

Quite often with Georgian properties there will be a bricked-up window. This was a characteristic caused by the window tax levied on homeowners between 1696 and 1851. The window tax was in place of income tax and the more windows there were in a property, the bigger the property was and the more money the owner typically had. To help avoid paying inflated tax rates, homeowners would block up their windows to reduce the amount of tax that they had to pay. Many Georgian house owners decided to leave the windows blocked rather than reinstate them, therefore this is one of the main features that sets a Georgian house apart from the rest.

Victorian Properties

Some of characteristics of a Victorian property are…

• Different coloured brickwork
• High pitched roof
• Long, narrow hallways
• Fireplace in every room
• Large bay windows which were usually turned into window seats
• Stained glass

Under the rule of Queen Victoria I the Victorian period was ranging from 1837 to 1901. During this period people who typically owned a Victorian house were wealthy landowners and middle-class workers. When the Industrial Revolution took place there was an increase in terraced houses, including back to backs. These houses were built extremely close together and were located close to factories for workers to be able to easily access them and work.

Edwardian Properties

What are the main characteristics of an Edwardian property?

• Red brickwork
• Wooden framed porch
• Wide, bright rooms
• Simple decorative features
• Houses in a straight-line

The Edwardian period took place from 1901 to 1910 and the houses were a much simpler design than the Georgian and Victorian periods. Builders were forced to build Edwardian homes in the suburbs where there was more space. Therefore, unlike darker Victorian homes, the style of the Edwardian homes were more squat and a lot wider with more windows.

For more information about our building services such as conversions, garden rooms, extensions, renovations or new builds, get in contact with our team by calling 01748529700.