Wentworth

“ How good it was to hear that your firm has been awarded two COTY grand prizes. What a skilled designer and architect you continue to be. Your work is as earnest as it is beautiful! ”

Dave M.

1905-1930

American Bungalow

Although the term bungalow now commonly describes a small one- or one-and-a-half-story home or casual beach house, the word actually derives from the Indian Hindustani word bangala, meaning belonging to Bengal. Indeed, the British first built bungalows in India in the mid-19th century. The intent was to design an informal, easily constructed, one-story rest house for travelers. Built low to the ground, the original Indian bungalow has large porches sheltered by wide overhanging eaves, a perfect way to deal with the country’s hot, sunny climate.

The American bungalow did not appear until around 1905. First built in Southern California, where most landmark examples are found, this style dominated U.S. home architecture until 1930.

Like its British prototype, the American bungalow has a small interior, a low-pitched roof, and ample porch space. Practical, economical, and well-suited for warm climates, the bungalow meets the needs of young families and first-time homeowners. Stylistically, the bungalow’s simplicity is a refreshing departure from ornate Victorian designs.

Several companies sold bungalow kits through mail-order catalogs at the height of the style’s popularity. Sears, Roebuck & Company started selling plans and building supplies in 1895, but the Aladdin Company of Bay City, MI, started offering complete kits in 1906. All the building components — pre-cut lumber, nails, doors, plumbing — were delivered to the construction site, where local craftsmen erected the homes according to the kit instructions. This practice quickly made the bungalow style ubiquitous all across America. Many bungalows built from kits can be found in Washington, DC, including Chevy Chase and the Palisades area. A fine example currently stands at 5400 Galena Place NW.

Bungalow Home Ideas
Home Remodeling Alexandria, VA

Contact Us Today

Features of the

American Bungalow

Many love quaint American bungalows for their distinctive casual style and emphasis on outdoor living. It’s helpful to learn the characteristics of this style, whether you think your home has American bungalow characteristics or you love a house in the DC area that you suspect is built in this style.

American Bungalow

Characteristics

Simple design, sparse decoration, and natural materials are the essential components of the bungalow style. Bungalows always have front porches and a low-sloping gable roof.

American Bungalow

Materials

The materials used for a bungalow’s exterior typically suggest warmth and informality. Clapboard is the most common siding, followed by cedar shingle, with the wood usually stained a natural brown color. Stone, brick, or concrete block, molded into a decorative form, can also be found. Geographic location often dictates the exterior material. For example, stucco walls and clay-tile roofs are common in the West because these materials are local to the area.

American Bungalow

Roof

The roof of an American bungalow is a low-pitched gable with wide overhangs to shield the house from the sun. Exposed rafters usually extend out from the house, with their ends sometimes cut to profile for decorative purposes. Dormers, if present, tend to be on the front of the house, with a gable or low shed roof.

Perhaps the most distinctive roof element on a bungalow is the triangular knee brace that projects from the front gable. Although meant to suggest the extension of the beams that support the rafter, they are usually decorative.

American Bungalow

Windows

Windows are most often double-hung with a large, single pane of glass in each sash. Occasionally, the top sash features a divided-lite pane. Some bungalows also have casement windows. Regardless of operating style, the windows are usually arranged in singles, pairs, or triples to create a prominent gable feature. Window trim is always simple, flat wood.

American Bungalow

Entrance

A front porch is a quintessential feature of the bungalow design. Most have a unique supporting-post construction, with short, square upper posts resting on massive piers or solid porch railings constructed of various materials, including stone, brick, concrete block, stucco, clapboard, or shingle. The piers, often used in place of posts, frequently begin at ground level and extend to the porch’s roofline. They often taper as they rise, thus accentuating their structural purpose. Front doors are usually wood paneled with a small, multi-paned window in the upper half.

Wentworth has remodeled many DC-area homes, including bungalows. Visit our photo gallery to see some of our past work! Then, read up on more architecture terms and definitions to further your knowledge.

American Bungalow Home Remodeling in VA, MD & DC

The American bungalow remains popular to this day, with many other styles borrowing elements to create a pleasant, inviting look. Whether you live in a historic bungalow built 100 years ago or want to incorporate architectural features of this style into your more modern home, Wentworth can help. Here are the American bungalow home remodeling services we offer:

American bungalow home remodeling

Perhaps you love your home’s charm but would love a more up-to-date kitchen and bathroom. Our designers and builders can increase functionality and beauty while staying true to the original style.

American bungalow home additions

The most successful additions are those that blend in seamlessly. Once the work is complete, the add-on increases your living space while looking like it has always been there.

American bungalow interior reconfigurations

If your home’s layout leaves much to be desired, Wentworth can modify the floor plan to remove wasted space and improve traffic flow, all while working within the parameters of the American bungalow style.

Custom American bungalow detailing

Do you dream of exposed ceiling beams, butcher block countertops, or a fireplace centerpiece in your living room? Wentworth can add these and many other bungalow-style details.

American bungalow interior design services

Picking furniture, paint colors, and accessories to match a period home isn’t always easy. Finish off your project with interior design services from Wentworth to tie it all together.

Facade enhancements in the American bungalow style

Adding dormer windows, knee braces, and a covered porch can make your home look more like an American bungalow. We can also replace damaged columns, siding, and roofing of a genuine historic home.
Frequently Asked Questions

These terms are often used interchangeably because they can be combined in a single structure called a craftsman-style bungalow. However, the craftsman style generally refers to the Arts and Crafts movement and is an interior style. On the other hand, a bungalow is an architectural style of homebuilding.

Developed by a group of Chicago architects, including Frank Lloyd Wright, the prairie bungalow has low, horizontal lines that pay homage to the American prairie landscape. Other features include natural woodwork, open-concept floor plans, and massive window walls. The prairie style’s time in the spotlight overlapped the American bungalow (about 1900 to 1915), but the styles are distinctly different.

Calling a cozy bungalow your home can provide numerous benefits. With many having no second story, the floor plan is suitable for homeowners with limited mobility. Low roofs also simplify exterior maintenance. And the foliage surrounding the low-set property improves privacy compared to many other dwellings.
Your home’s exterior defines its curb appeal. To make a better impression on guests and passersby, clean your yard and add landscape lights. When that’s not enough, consider replacing your front door, installing new windows, and upgrading the siding. It’s essential to use period-specific designs and materials when improving a historic home’s facade.
“ Dear Wentworth folks, Thank you for my extraordinarily beautiful kitchen. ”

Nina, Southwest Washington, DC