Pennsylvania Home Styles: A Architectural Tour from Colonial to Contemporary

Pennsylvania's housing stock reflects 300+ years of settlement, industry, and immigration. Dominant styles:

Historic Core Styles

• Colonial (Georgian/Federal): Brick/stone, symmetrical, dormers, pedimented entries. Philadelphia, Lancaster, York. 1700–1830.
• Victorian (Italianate, Queen Anne, Second Empire): Ornate trim, bay windows, towers, wraparound porches. Pittsburgh's Manchester, West Philly, Scranton. 1850–1910.
• Pennsylvania German (Colonial German): Stone, steep roof, central chimney, casement windows. Lebanon, Berks, Lehigh Valleys. 1700–1850.

20th Century Expansion

• Craftsman/Bungalow: Low-pitched roofs, exposed rafters, front porches. Streetcar suburbs (Mt. Airy, Edgewood, Highland Park). 1900–1930.
• Tudor Revival: Half-timbering, steep gables, leaded glass. Affluent suburbs (Main Line, Chestnut Hill, Fox Chapel). 1910–1940.
• Mid-Century Modern: Flat roofs, floor-to-ceiling glass, open plans. Eichler-esque (rare), custom architect homes. 1945–1970.
• Ranch / Split-Level: Single-story, attached garage. Post-WWII suburbs (Levittown PA, Monroeville, Lower Bucks). 1950–1980.

Urban & Contemporary

• Rowhouses / Townhomes: Philadelphia (60% of housing), Pittsburgh, Reading. 2–4 stories, shared walls.
• Loft Conversions: Former mills/factories (Pittsburgh Strip, Philly Callowhill, Lancaster).
• New Construction: Infill modern, energy-efficient, mixed-use.

Rural/Regional: Log cabins (Appalachia), Amish-built (Lancaster), lake cottages (Poconos), McMansions (exurbs).

Whatever your taste, PA has it—often on the same street.