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There are also contemporary adaptations of saltbox homes that appeal to history buffs and modernists alike. An easy way to remember the saltbox style is that it resembles an asymmetrical A-frame home turned to the side. These houses feature practical gabled roofs, but the shape of the roof and lack of dormer windows distinguish these homes from Cape Cods, Colonials, and other historic designs.
What was the original purpose of a saltbox house?
Dating back to the 1600s, saltbox homes were built by European settlers immigrating to New England throughout the colonial period and into the early Republic—most prominently in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. This architectural style, in its creative simplicity, is a testament to the inventiveness required to combat the harsh realities of early Colonial life and farmstead living. The signature high-pitched roof—known as a gable roof—is a holdover from the days of thatching and a way for early settlers to combat roof damage from the weight of heavy snow and brutal winds, winter after winter. Featuring distinctive rooflines and facades, saltbox-style houses are an iconic example of American colonial architecture. Learn the history behind this house style (including where the name came from) and its distinguishing characteristics, then see some of our favorite examples of saltbox-style houses.
Saltbox house style – the ultimate guide
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Saltbox houses, regardless of period, were designed to provide more comfortable living spaces for families. Furthermore, the effortless construction technique like the slanted roof allowed snow to melt faster in the sun while also deflecting the high gusts that are frequent in that area. The attractiveness of the Saltbox architectural style is not limited to its appearance.
Pros of saltbox houses
It provided a means of heating the entire house, with fireplaces on both floors connected to the chimney. The chimney also acted as a structural support, helping to stabilize the house. The design of the Saltbox house was primarily driven by practicality and the need to adapt to the challenging environment of New England.
Types of saltbox houses
The small leftover triangle of space under the addition’s roof acts as another barrier against the cold. On the exterior, the unpainted wood siding required only minimal upkeep, which cut down on the colonists’ already burdensome workloads. The Saltbox architectural style first appeared in New England and Atlantic Canada around 1650, in the earliest years of the Colonial Period. Faced with a harsh climate and limited resources, settlers opted for modest, sensible homes.
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The home’s exterior is usually finished with clapboard siding made out of dense, sturdy woods such as cherry, oak, and walnut. However, some homes have brick on the outside instead, like the Josiah Day house. “Saltboxes had a lot to do with inspiring that generation of architects to create these free-flowing roof forms, which you’ll still see in new homes today,” Shettleworth says. The story of saltbox homes goes beyond brick and mortar, or rather—shingle and clapboard. These humble landmarks are vestiges of early European settlers and the tough realities of everyday living.
Interior
The style originated as a quick, economical way to add living space to the back of an existing two-story home. Soon, these lean-to additions led to the popularization of the sloped roof style we see today. Early saltbox house examples from the 17th century are often additions; later builds were constructed with the sloped roof and additional living space included from the start. As rectangular buildings with high-pitched roofs and unadorned central entrances, Saltbox houses are in many ways similar to Cape Cod houses. What sets the Saltbox architectural style apart is the rear single-story addition and the asymmetrical roofline it creates. In the United States, many architectural styles were influenced by colonial architecture, such as Georgian, Cape Cod, Dutch Colonial, and French Colonial architecture.
Instead, it’s incorporated into a contemporary open floor plan to create a sense of spaciousness and flow. During the Colonial Revival period between 1900 and 1950, Saltbox and other Cape Cod-style houses saw another slight uptick. These days, they’re something of a novelty, but the style has endured thanks to its attractive minimalism and functionality.
Protected and Preserved Saltbox Houses
They are easily spotted by their distinctive long, slanted roof, which drops from two stories in the front of the building to a single story in the rear. Like the Boston and Farmington homes, Portsmouth-style homes have nine windows on the front facade. A gambrel roof – a two-sided sloped roof – on the top floor creates more living space and room for small windows.
Saltbox houses are popular in New England today, but have always been well-regarded – in fact President John Adams was born in a saltbox house in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1735. Preservationists also face challenges related to adapting Saltbox houses to modern lifestyles without compromising their historical integrity. For instance, renovations may involve integrating updated plumbing and electrical systems, while carefully concealing them within the framework of the house. The historic significance of Saltbox houses lies in their representation of early American architecture and the stories they tell about the lives of the settlers who built and inhabited them. These houses are tangible links to the past, offering insights into the social, economic, and cultural aspects of a bygone era. Windows in Saltbox houses were strategically positioned to take advantage of natural light.
User must be a prospective purchaser or seller of real estate with a bona fide interest in the purchase or sale of such real estate.3. User may not sell or use any of the real estate data on this Site for any purpose other than attempting to evaluate houses or properties for sale or purchase by User. One popular bit of folklore suggests the Saltbox architectural style really came into its own thanks to Queen Anne’s taxation of homes higher than one story. In reality, it’s unlikely this law had as much influence as the style’s other practical benefits. North American immigrants used mortar and pestle to pound salt lumps for cooking reasons before salt and pepper shakers were invented, they were also used to keep food fresh. A saltbox house’s chimney is often located at one end of the upper living room, which could result in water damage to that wall if leaks originate from the roof or elsewhere.
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