7 Most Common Calgary House Styles
2 Story
Most 2 story homes in Calgary have a main floor with kitchen, living room and dining room along with a half bath. Some have a den or flex room, family room, but typically, the main floor is for the shared space and the upper floor is where the bedrooms and main bath are. 2 story also have a full basement, meaning the size of the basement footprint is equal to the size of the main floor. many modern 2 story homes in Calgary have a bonus room on the second floor that acts like a second or third living room/family room. If you would like to have your bedrooms on the upper floor and a possible bonus room, a 2 story house may be what suits you best.
2 Story Split
The 2 story split is similar to a 2 story house except that the main floor is split into 2 side-by-side levels with a few steps separating them. this makes for fewer steps to the second floor and a vaulted ceiling over 1 side on the house. The advantage to buying a 2 story split over a 2 story house is that more often than not, there are more square feet on the main floor. This can result in a larger footprint. For example, a 2000 sq ft 2 story home with a bonus room may have 900 sq ft on the main floor and 1100 sq ft on the upper floor, where in a 2 story split the opposite is true with 1100 sq ft on the main floor and 900 sq ft on the upper. because the footprint is larger, there is more basement space, but in some cases the space under the lower main has a low ceiling and is only suitable for storage. Sadly, you do not see 2 story splits being built in Calgary any more as builders can construct the same number of square feet in a 2 story with a bonus room for much less money. If you like the idea of a larger main floor in a 2 story layout, a 2 story split may be the best choice for you.
Bungalow
A bungalow is a single story home that typically has a full basement, with the exception of the turn of the century homes in the older Calgary neighbourhoods when many homes only have crawl spaces for a lower level. Older bungalow in Calgary usually have 2 or 3 bedrooms on the main floor while new, modern bungalows often have 1 bedroom on the main floor 2 or 3 bedrooms on the lower level. Most older Calgary neighbourhoods have bungalows with detached garages, with a few exceptions. Also, in some older neighbourhoods in Calgary you may find homes that are bungalows with a loft in a dormered area. These homes are considered 1 1/2 stories and would be listed as such. You may also find raised bungalows where the main floor is higher off the ground. This make for larger windows and more natural ight in the basement. Bungalows tend to cost more per square foot of living space. If you like the idea of single level living, bungalows may be for you.
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Bi-Level
A bi-level in Calgary is similar to a raised bungalow, accept that the main entry level is between the upper and lower level. Typically, you enter at one level and walk up to the main floor or down to the lower level. Because the upper floor is raised, the lower floor has larger windows and often has more natural light than you would see in the basement of a bungalow. I have seen a number of bi-levels over the past few years with the master bedroom on the lower floor. This allows for a much bigger master suite in the home. If you like the family room lower level and or second or third and fourth bedrooms down, this could be the style you are looking for.
3 Level Split
Just as it suggests by the name, a 3 level split has 3 levels. The main floor is at ground level and typically has the living room. dining room and kitchen. The house then splits to the side or back with an upper and lower level. That lower level typically has a family room and possible bedroom and bath. The upper level has bedrooms and a main bath.
4 Level Split
In Calgary, 4 level splits tend to be side splits or side by side levels or back splits or back to front levels. The main floor will have the kitchen, dining and living room. upper floor will house the bedrooms. The lower level will have a family room and possible bath and the lower level is often either undeveloped, used as storage or as a family room. Most often, the fourth level does not have windows and is therefore not suitable for bedroom development. With the levels created more defined space, 4 level splits often feel like bigger homes. If you are on a budget, but looking for more living space, the 4 level split may be your best choice of house style for your next home
5 Level Splits
These homes are broken into 5 smaller levels. Often the entry level is on the same level as the attached garage, you walk up to a living room, then up to a kitchen dining space. the next level up is a bedroom bath level and again up to a bedroom level. The splits and development can vary from this basic layout, but the idea of multi level living carries through the design. If you like the idea of your home being divided into defined spaces ( I like to think of it like Robinson Curuso's tree house) then a 5 level split might just be the right choice for you.
Not sure about the style of your next Calgary house?As an agent, I can help. Think of me as a partner in your quest to find your next house. I can make suggests, show you some examples and get you started down the right path. feel free to contact me any time if you have questions or are thinking about making a move.
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RE/MAX Jim Perks
101, 110 Country Hills Landing NW
Calgary, AB T3K 5P3
(403) 660-6239
RE/MAX Real Estate Mountain View
Each office independently owned and operated
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101, 110 Country Hills Landing NW
Calgary, AB T3K 5P3
(403) 660-6239
RE/MAX Real Estate Mountain View
Each office independently owned and operated
Privacy Policy