Top 7 Ways on How to Change the Look of a Tudor Style House, its Key Elements, History, & Pros and Cons

Are you also wondering how to change a Tudor-style house’s look while retaining its historical elements? We can guide you on how to change the look of a Tudor-style house.

1. How to Change the Look of a Tudor-Style House

You will need to update a Tudor-style house over some time. But one should also try to restore the traditional patterns in the best possible manner. It should not be lost in the process of modernizing your home. 

1.1 New Siding

One can opt to change the exterior design, like changing the siding of your house. Earlier, wood and stone siding used to be the popular choices. You can choose between painting, dyeing the wood, or stone siding to decorate your house.

Wood siding faces issues like insect decay. Hence, it has been avoided in recent times.

If you desire to go pocket-friendly, then vinyl siding is the best for you. It is cheap, long-lasting, and has no fear of burning. The maintenance cost is also less. One can also choose fiber cement, which resembles wood in appearance.

1.2 Windows

The original windows of a Tudor house are tall and narrow, giving very little room for natural architecture to emerge. The choice should be made keeping in mind the basic architectural design of the house.

Double-hung windows can maintain the traditional decorum of your Tudor home. They are user-friendly and, hence, very popular. One can also opt for casement windows.

Casement windows give a house an open feel. They are very easy to handle. The windows also grant permission to enter a lot of natural light.

1.3 Roof

A Tudor house is easily recognized by its steeply pitched roofs. The cross gables add to the beauty of your Tudor-style home.
Choose materials for your roofs, considering factors like cost, quality, lifespan, and durability.

Metal or tile roofs are most suitable for durability and longer lifespan. This is because they combine the traditional aspect with modern techniques.

Asphalt shingles are also considered due to their low cost and easy installation process. But strong winds and snow might hamper them as they lack durability.

1.4 Decorative Accents

You can add various decorative accents to beautify your Tudor home. Shutters on windows now come in various styles. Choose the one that corresponds with your Tudor home design.

Another popular method is to install decorative moldings around windows and doors. Various materials are available for molding, such as dark wood and vinyl.

1.5 Entrance Door

The entrance door is the jewel of your Tudor house as it gives visitors the first image of your home.

You can change the entrance door to give a new look to your Tudor home. Materials like wood, fibre, glass, or steel are viable options for front door design. Choose the best one, considering other decorative elements in your house.

1.6 Outdoor Lighting

Wall sconces, post lights, and landscape illuminations do outdoor lighting. The architectural design of the house helps in deciding the outdoor lighting.

1.7 Landscapes

A well-maintained and arranged landscape will surely attract the attention of tree passers. Invest in new plants and flowers to give a refreshing look to your tudor home.

Select flowering plants with bright colours, flowers, shrubs, etc., which will be well suited to your area. Go for a combo pack of perennial plants and annual plants. Elements like retaining walls and patios will also enhance the look of your garden.

2. Key Elements Comprising a Tudor House

A Tudor-style home is easily recognizable because of its unique architectural style. Some of the key parameters comprising a Tudor-style house are as follows: – 

2.1 Steeply Pitched Roofs

A Tudor-style house has a steeply pitched roof. The main roof generally coincides with the secondary roofs.

2.2 Tall Narrow Windows

Tudor houses come with narrow, tall windows consisting of multiple panels. Hence, it prohibits the entrance of natural light. The window is generally rectangular or diamond-shaped.

2.3 Brick Exteriors

Leaded glass windows with bricks or stonework are common in Tudor home’s exteriors. This is because they help to retain its historical value.

2.4 Decorative Chimneys

The chimney is yet another decorative option for a Tudor-style home. One can decorate the chimneys with stone fillings and bricks.

2.5 A Must-have Fireplace

Colder areas are homes to Tudor-style houses. Hence, Tudor houses have a dedicated fireplace area. The stone fireplaces, wooden beams, and decorative half-timbering give a rustic effect.

3. The History Behind Tudor Houses

The Tudor-style homes originated in the United States of America. It became popular in the mid-19th century until World War II. Owning a Tudor-style house was a matter of pride at that time.

Tudor-style homes were once claimed to be houses of the creamy layers. They were also nicknamed the ‘Stockbrokers Tudors’. This is because several stockbrokers who became wealthy during the 1920s purchased Tudor houses.

Areas with colder climates or with heavy rainfall are ideal for Tudor-style houses. However, other areas also have seen an increase in the popularity of Tudor houses.

4. Pros of Tudor Houses

The Tudor-style houses have traditional architectural design styles. Some of the advantages of staying in a Tudor-style house are as follows: –

4.1 Sustainable Construction

Colder regions or regions having heavy rainfall are homes to Tudor houses. So, they are constructed with sturdy materials to face them.

The construction materials are also of high quality and are durable. Hence, one generally does not need to worry about maintenance.

4.2 Flexibility

A Tudor House is flexible. It is either square-shaped or rectangular-shaped on the outside. However, the inner floor spaces are not symmetrical.

A Tudor-style house has areas like corner spaces, fireplaces, spaces below staircases, and so on.

4.3 Bonus Spaces

Tudor homes get extra spaces compared to any other kind of home. So, you can make your cozy corners, library sections, etc. Ensure to make proper utilization of the extra spaces available to you.

5. Cons of Tudor Houses

Tudor-style homes have a visual appeal to people. But they also come with certain drawbacks.

5.1 Expensive

The initial cost might put a hole in your pocket if you construct a new Tudor house. The construction materials, stone works, brick effects, etc., are expensive.

Also, the cost of sturdy materials used is skyrocketing. For instance, the cost of stucco as a decorative material is very high.

5.2 Leakage

The gabled roofs are an attractive feature of Tudor houses. They also help to give a stunning look to a Tudor house. 

But care should be taken to maintain the multiple roofings regularly. This is because they tend to have leakage issues. 

5.3 Electricity and Plumbing

The electricity connections, wiring, and plumbing need to be checked and updated. This prevents issues like short circuits and water problems. Also, you can enjoy reaping the benefits of living in a Tudor house.

Conclusion

Thus, in a nutshell, retaining the traditional architecture and adding some modifications are the key factors to maintain the charm of your Tudor home.

We hope you know how to change the look of a Tudor-style house. Now, you can put your grey cells to work. Think of some of the great improvements you can install in your home.