Dave M.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
American bungalow home additions
American bungalow interior reconfigurations
Custom American bungalow detailing
American bungalow interior design services
Facade enhancements in the American bungalow style
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.