Spanish Home Plans, Spanish Style Home Plans, Spanish House Plans

Spanish Home Plans: The Best of Both Worlds

Spanish home plans are popular homes. Spanish style home plans can blend the best of Spanish and American architecture for an attractive home that is both functional and appealing. Spanish house plans are numerous in the southern and southwest United States. They are not as common in the northern states although they can be found if you're willing to search for them.

Spanish style home plans are open and inviting. They're perfect if you live in a warmer climate where snow and ice combined with extremely low temperatures are not a big problem. This architecture can include an enclosed courtyard, and stucco walls are a common feature with these types of homes.

Spanish house plans may also be called Spanish revival, and there are a lot of elements that set these homes apart and make them stand out. They have a lot or decorative touches and ornamentation, so they have a unique look that is very popular.

The roof of this home type is commonly red clay tile, because this material helps keep the heat out and cool the interior on very hot days. There is normally very little overhang on the roof. If you enjoy Spanish home plans then you are not alone, this design has many fans and followers.

The History Of Spanish Style Home Plans

If you enjoy Spanish house plans then you may find their history fascinating. This design has been around for hundreds of years, and was used in the 1600s in Spain and the Mediterranean areas. In America this style of architecture has been used since the Spanish settlers came to the country, but the demand hit an all time high in the early 1900s.

These homes combine the best elements of Spanish and other cultural architecture with building techniques and designs used by the Native Indian tribes in the southwest areas of America. These house designs can be found outside of the southwest but they're not common, and if you are looking for one you may have to do extensive searching.

Spanish home plans were the most popular between the years 1920 and 1940, although their popularity has been making a comeback as more people are looking for homes which are greener and more energy efficient. Part of the appeal of these homes is that they include natural colors and materials, and fit in well with natural settings.

This style is heavily decorated with ornate ornamentation, and includes outdoor areas which are included into the home. Courtyards, patios, and numerous entrances with arches are common Spanish elements that can be included, and these homes feel open and inviting.

Typical Owners Of Spanish House Plans

The typical owners of Spanish style home plans can vary. You may choose this style because it's open, with a minimum of closed in areas. You can find this style with a wide range of bedroom and bathroom options. These homes can have differences in total square footage. It would be safe to say that Spanish homes can be ideal for any size family, whether you live alone or have a spouse and six kids.

If you are looking at this style of architecture than you probably live in the southern or western part of the United States. It could also be assumed that you may prefer a lot of decorative touches and added ornamentation. Wrought iron hardware, courtyards and patios, columns, distinctive tile roofs, and the inclusion of natural colors and materials make these houses a good choice for many homeowners.

You may choose Spanish home plans because of their energy and environmental benefits, because you want to lessen your environmental impact and energy usage. These designs will normally include thick walls which consist of brick veneer underneath stucco, making them very inexpensive to keep cool in even the most extreme heat and humidity.

The clay tile roof helps reflect bright sun, so the heat is not absorbed into the interior of the house. Colors which are neutral or naturally bright and reflect water and nature may be another reason why you are drawn to this style of architecture.

Key Elements

Positive Features of Spanish Home Plans

Wrought iron decorations on windows and doors
Clay tile roof
Thick walls, usually stucco over brick veneer
Normally includes a courtyard
Balconies
A roof that has a low pitch
Columns and towers
Patios
Patterned tiles
Energy efficient
A greener option
Arched doorways and openings
Open wooden ceiling beams
Enclosed outdoor spaces
Asymmetrical appearance

Negative Features Of Spanish Home Plans

Not ideal for colder climates
Roof tiles make roof replacement or repair more expensive
Little roof overhang does not protect exterior walls as well against inclement weather
Windows are usually small and irregularly placed
Higher maintenance costs because of elaborate decorative touches