The grand, yet practical homes that were built during those of the American Colonial period owe a much to Dutch construction practices. The Dutch colonists’ expertise in brickwork and their ingenuous modifications like split doors and flared roof eaves created Dutch Colonial architecture a distinctive design that was a popular choice across the Northeast. In the present, Dutch customs still influence the design of homes in the region.
Dutch Traditions and Cultures are abound in the Netherlands.
In the beginning of the 17th century, Dutch traders and settlers set up a colony in North America they called New Netherlands. Even though the British adopted the colony in 1664 and changed its name to New York, the Dutch had already made their footprints on the architectural scene.
The style they created in, and is now known by the name of Dutch Colonial, was most popular in the current New York, New Jersey as well as Pennsylvania regions, however it also was seen as a style in Delaware as well as Connecticut. The question is whether New York or Pennsylvania is the first home of this style the question remains.
“Dutch” was a term that had been used for a long time “Dutch” was not used in the way it is now and was more of an umbrella term to describe non-British people who settled in the area. There were many so-called Dutch settlers were from the Dutch Republic, but others were French-Belgian Huguenots, Flemish or German. In the end, Dutch Colonial architecture shows influence from these various groups but not all of the features can be traced to the present-day Netherlands.
To make matters more complicated, only a few original 17th-century Dutch buildings are still standing. The majority of the Dutch Colonial-style buildings were constructed during the 20th century. They are better described as Dutch Colonial Revival, a sub-type of Colonial Revival. This style developed from the romantic and often patriotic romanticization that was prevalent during The Colonial Period. It wasn’t designed to reproduce Dutch Colonial construction techniques but rather to reflect the spirit of the original Dutch colonial farmhouses and the period. This is why modern Dutch Colonials are diverse in the type of characteristics are characteristic of the original Dutch style.
After the beginning of the 17th century The popularity of Dutch Colonial architecture rose again from 1890 until it was really booming between 1925 to 1940. The houses built prior to the period of revival showed more variety and embellishments and later ones were more classical in their design. The style reached its peak in the 1950s and ’60s. Nowadays, Dutch Colonial architecture is the most sought-after style among designer of luxury homes due to the fact that it allows for the ability to include custom-designed elements and unique ornamentation.
Practicality and Style
Contrary to the majority of architectural styles, that were utilized in public buildings as homes, the Dutch Colonial style was used just for homes. The original Dutch Colonial homes were typically built of stone or brick instead of wood, as most British Colonial homes were. In the past, the Dutch were well-known for their brick masonry expertise.
The exteriors of the Dutch Colonials are typically symmetrical, with an entrance with a central door and well-ordered rows of windows, however the interior layouts differ. Most were designed on open plans with three or more rooms with fireplaces on both ends. The roofs were later topped with chimneys that had gable ends as well as the fireplace’s back walls of stone were visible from the exterior of the house.
The most striking characteristic in Dutch Colonial architecture is the wide roof with a gambrel. The barn-style double-pitched roof features two slopes on either one side. The higher slopes almost flat, while the lower slopes dropping nearly straight down. It was in the 1800s that the roof was so heavily associated with Dutch-style homes that it was often referred to simply”Dutch roof. “Dutch roofing.”
Despite their importance in Dutch Colonial houses, these roofs were derived in English, French, and Flemish building traditions. The Dutch themselves began building their homes with roofs that were inverted. They weren’t fully embracing their gambrel roofing until 1775.
Prior to that there was a time when gambrel roofs were prevalent on barns, however their use in residential structures was an Dutch Colonial adaptation. The objective was the same: maximising space in higher floors. Gambrel roofs can provide an entirely usable second or even a the third floor.
They were also less expensive and more simple to construct than conventional two-story gable-roofed homes as well as helping their owners save on tax. In the Federal Direct Tax records of 1798, which imposed the first property taxes in the United States and classified houses with roofs made of gambrel as single stories as well as taxed at a less than houses with two stories.
The roofs of these large structures were usually increased by dormers which raised the ceiling of the second floor and create the space for additional windows. Dormers with hipped or gable windows were the most frequent dormers, however sheds which take up a large portion of the roofline were also common.
Dormers typically had windows that let in light as well as fresh air. It could be double-hung windows that are typical from Dutch Colonial homes or something smaller. Dormer windows for eyebrows at the top of the floor were another method of letting in sunlight. On more elaborate houses the decorative round wheel windows highlight the gable’s ends.
The most striking feature to the striking look Dutch Colonial roofs are the flared eaves, also known as the “Dutch kicks,” with one side which extends partially or totally across the front porch. Porches themselves are always covered and their roofs are supported by columns. Balconies are not common.
A lot of old Dutch Colonial homes feature split or double-hung doors of this type that is often used on barns. These doors are often found on homes and let fresh air in as well as keeping children out and wildlife or livestock out. They were utilized frequently that by Dutch home builders that they were later called “Dutch doors.” The combination of the gambrel roof with split doors is an important component of the reason why Dutch Colonial houses earned the term “barn homes.”
It is the standard choice in Dutch Colonial style homes, however, after 1920 the brick veneer was commonly employed. For contemporary Dutch Colonials, Clapboard and shingle siding is typically the most popular choices. Homeowners who live in these homes usually opt for muted colors like as gray, brown steel blue and moss to enhance the clean and uncluttered design.
Contrary to the majority of Victorian-era architectural styles The Dutch Colonial style favors practicality and limits embellishments to the minimum. It’s precisely this methodical approach , and careful application of ornamental elements that made it distinctive to the style.
Inspiring itself from the building tradition from the Dutch and the other cultures that surround their culture, Dutch Colonial architecture offers an insight into how Colonial-era settlements established their homes. It’s an excellent illustration of New World cultural mingling and the ability to make things happen.
