Built for the New England climate, a Saltbox home combines practicality and visual appeal. Their distinctive sloping roof allows two stories in front and one at the back.
These charming wooden houses come complete with clapboard siding and feature an eye-catching symmetrical facade and steep roof for added visual appeal. It is a great addition to any neighborhood.
1. Choose the Right Materials
A Saltbox home is an iconic style dating back to colonial America. Their distinctive shape is defined by a steep roof that slopes down toward the rear of their homes and this distinctive shape adds both function and charm to any home.
To maintain the appearance of your saltbox home, the right materials must be selected. This includes roofing and exterior fixtures as well as interior fixtures. Roofs typically use wooden shingles or clapboard siding with an unpainted look but it may be painted to match the overall color scheme of the house.
Interior of a saltbox home typically is straightforward and features exposed ceiling beams that can either remain natural wood finish or be painted to fit with the room. Angled ceilings in these houses create cozy nooks or reading corners to add character and charm.
Selecting suitable window styles for a saltbox home is also crucial since these homes often boast large windows with plenty of natural lighting that allow in plenty of natural light and create bright, airy interior spaces while also emphasizing stunning vistas of their surroundings.
No matter whether it's for new construction or renovations of an existing house, professional help should always be sought when undertaking any such endeavors. An architect can assist in planning out your space while taking into account every detail, while cost estimates provided will ensure your budget stays on target and you don't experience unexpected costs later on.
2. Plan the Layout
Consider your room layout when designing a saltbox house. With its unique shape and multiple possibilities for two-story or smaller homes, a saltbox home provides you with ample opportunity to create large living areas.
As part of your construction plans for a saltbox house, it's also crucial that you consider your budget carefully. Although plans for these houses tend to come at cheaper costs than other home types, you will still need to account for materials and design fees when creating one - these costs can quickly add up, so be realistic with yourself about your financial means when starting construction of one.
Saltbox houses are typically constructed from wood or clapboard siding and feature a central chimney with a long, sloping rear roofline. Although traditional in appearance, they can easily be modernized by making changes such as using asphalt shingles instead of cedar shakes for roofing; saving both money and maintaining its classic charm at once!
Your home can benefit from adding modern features that are energy efficient and comfortable, such as skylights to allow in natural light and enhance ventilation, or more sustainable heating and cooling options such as solar panels or green energy woodstoves.
No matter how you update your saltbox home, you must consider its history when making decisions. While it might be tempting to remove all historical features altogether, keeping some elements authentic may help the house feel authentic - for example preserving original wood ceiling beams but sanding them down so they appear more contemporary; or adding pops of color with modern furniture designed specifically to go well with its clean lines will do.
3. Add a Fireplace
A fireplace is an essential feature in any home, providing both warmth and visual appeal that will dazzle guests. Installing one in a Saltbox house can add extra character, so builders may opt to either install a central chimney or two-end chimneys as part of this feature.
The Saltbox house is an architectural style dating back to colonial New England and is distinguished by a distinctive sloping roofline that slopes downward on the rear of its structure. These homes usually include two stories in front with only one story behind, and often feature features such as exposed wood ceiling beams or large fireplaces in original designs.
Builders first constructed these homes for practicality. Their high back roof slope helps shield from snowy conditions in New England while their lower front portion serves as living space for families. Their name "Saltbox" comes from its sloped profile which resembles that of wooden containers used to store salt.
As families expanded, homeowners built one-story additions onto the sides of their houses by pulling back the initial roofline. These additional rooms often served as pantries, kitchens, and "keeping rooms," where people could cook and sleep in winter months.
Saltbox houses have long been popular designs among modern homeowners. Thanks to the versatility of the Saltbox design, homeowners today can construct new, contemporary houses featuring its distinctive features. If you're interested in building one of your own, contact ENEH today: we offer precut post and beam homes and can help create beautiful, timeless homes for generations.
4. Add a Deck
Saltbox houses offer you a unique opportunity to add outdoor entertaining spaces that provide relaxation and enjoyment, such as decks. A deck can take advantage of your unique roofline to make the house appear larger while increasing natural lighting levels - you can choose between various deck designs depending on your preferences and budget.
Saltbox houses can be easily identified by their distinctive, sloping roofline. A high back slope allows for additional second-story attic space while the lower front slope protects the home from harsh New England weather conditions. Furthermore, steeply sloping roofs offer better ventilation and insulation solutions while decreasing energy costs.
Saltbox homes typically use timber framing construction methods, which combine timbers and heavy lumber for structural support. This approach is more cost-effective than using nails or bolts and yields a stronger structure overall.
Saltbox houses often employ dense and sturdy woods such as oak, cherry, and walnut for their clapboard siding clapboard, providing both an unpainted natural appearance or neutral colors such as whites, beiges, or muted earth tones for painting purposes.
Saltbox houses feature traditional and rustic furniture styles such as farmhouse-style tables and Windsor chairs, creating an old-world charm and colonial aesthetic. When selecting colors for their decor, opt for muted greens and warm browns that complement natural elements in the landscape as well as accent colors in furnishings or accessories for pops of brightness throughout your home.
5. Add a Sunroom
Sunrooms offer an ideal combination of charm and functionality; creating additional living space while adding value. From relaxing in peace and quiet, working from home, entertaining guests or working from home - adding a sunroom is the ideal way to add value and charm to any saltbox house. To build one yourself, hiring an experienced contractor with experience working on similar homes as yours while offering competitive rates is the first step towards adding one yourself.
Additionally, your new sunroom must be properly insulated and sealed to keep cold air from coming in while hot air leaves. Furthermore, lighting needs should also be considered since saltbox houses' sloping rooflines often restrict natural light reaching the back corners of the house.
Saltbox houses are timeless New England classics. With their distinctive sloping rooflines and elegant charm, these houses are timeless designs that remain fashionable today. Although steeped in history, Saltbox homes can easily adapt for modern living while still upholding their exterior architectural integrity.
Saltbox houses typically boast exposed beams in the interior that add an authentic charm to any space. These beams can either remain exposed or be painted to fit with the color scheme of any given room. Furthermore, saltbox houses usually boast large windows for plenty of natural sunlight and outdoor views.
These homes may be ideal for those seeking an authentic historical experience, but they may not suit everyone. While traditional designs might appeal to those who appreciate history and mobility issues may find these properties less suitable. Furthermore, these houses tend to be more costly due to their unique construction techniques and premium materials used.