A raised ranch is so named because it is a type of building that literally has been raised up on a full or partial basement foundation. In many cases, they are built on steeply sloping sites, so the house is actually set up on a platform that is parallel to the ground below.
This enables the entire house to be at the same level, rather than being on two different levels as a traditional split level house would be. The larger raised ranch (and some smaller ones) usually have a walk-out basement and a bi-level layout, with the lower level of the house accessible by a few stairs leading up to the main entrance.
This gives it a “raised” character that sets it apart from other types of housing.
What are the different types of ranch houses?
Ranch houses are one-story homes typically found in warmer climates, with a traditional, modern, or contemporary design. Here are some of the different types of ranch houses you may come across:
Traditional ranch – These are the iconic homes often seen in the 1950s and 1960s. They feature large overhangs, long, symmetrical exteriors, and simple floor plans with minimal interior walls.
Modern ranch – This style takes the traditional ranch house to the next level. With a more contemporary feel, modern ranches feature flat roofs, large windows, and stucco or stone accents.
Raised ranch – Like traditional ranch homes, a raised ranch is a single-story house. The only difference is they are built to be one-and-a-half stories, with a full second level living quarters built on a raised foundation.
Split-level ranch – This style offers more useable space and asymmetrical design, with one side of the house built at a higher elevation than other and stairs leading up to the higher elevation.
L-shaped ranch – As the name suggests, these homes have an “L” shape, with an entryway at the corner of the home. The longer side of the “L” typically faces the street, creating a large lawn area in the back.
T-shaped ranch – These houses feature a large, central corridor with a T-shaped roof and accompanying walls. Bedrooms and bathrooms typically line this corridor, and a living area if often grouped together on one side.
How do you raise a ranch-style house?
Raising a ranch-style house can involve lifting the entire structure off its foundation and that can be a major undertaking. It requires steps such as securing permits, hiring specialized contractors, and securing a temporary location to store the home while the project is ongoing.
Safety is key and the entire home must be braced and secured before and during the lifting process.
Once the home is ready to be lifted, and permits and contractors are in place, it must be lifted off the foundation. This is typically done with hydraulic jacks mounted to the home’s wooden framework and often requires walls, windows, and roofing to be removed to reduce the overall weight of the home.
The jacks are used in unison and pressure is applied to the frame until the house is raised from the foundation, which is then sawed away from the home’s frame.
The house is then lowered onto a temporary wooden facade, or slotted onto blocks to allow easy access for repairs or renovations to the basement or foundation, or to prepare for the installation of a new one.
Once the house is in place, the basement and foundation can be strengthened, or a new one installed. The house needs to be temporarily braced and secured until the final foundation is complete. Next, install any new retaining walls around the foundation, and then backfill around the house.
Finally, add any construction, such as a new porch or deck, refinishing, new windows, and doors, as well as landscaping.
What is considered a ranch style home?
A ranch style home is a type of residential architecture characterized by its one story layout and usually more open floor plan. This style of architecture was popular in the mid-20th century and continues to be a popular design today.
Characteristics of a ranch style home include a single, long, low-pitched roof (sometimes with large overhangs), large windows, asymmetrical floor plans, large sliding glass doors, and a mixture of building materials on the facade.
Ranch style homes often feature a single, attached garage or carport, as well as an open patio, courtyard, or backyard area. In some cases, these homes may also have vaulted ceilings, multiple fireplaces, and wall-to-wall carpeting throughout.
Many ranch style homes also feature an open porch as well as an entry path leading to the front door.
What’s the difference between a raised ranch and a ranch?
The main difference between a raised ranch and a ranch is that a raised ranch is two stories, with the living areas on the upper level, while a ranch is a single-story home. Raised ranches usually have bedrooms and bathrooms on the lower level and living areas on the upper level.
This is similar to a split-level layout, yet a raised ranch home typically has a more gradual rise between floors than a split-level. The interior of a raised ranch typically features a central staircase that leads up to the living area on the upper level as well as a short set of stairs at the rear leading to the ground-level entrance.
The exterior of a raised ranch is typically distinguished by its stepped roof which can lead to problems with snow and ice accumulations. The exterior of a ranch is typically spread out over a single story and the roof’s slope increases gradually from one end to the other without steps.
Do raised ranches have attics?
Yes, raised ranches typically have attics. A raised ranch is a style of house in which a finished basement serves as an additional floor, usually the main living area. The house is usually elevated off the ground by a set of stairs or a sloping driveway.
This elevated structure creates an area known as a crawl space which is accessible from the outside and serves as the foundation for the house. The uppermost floor, which is the main living area, is usually divided into at least two levels with the lower level often having one or two bedrooms.
Additionally, the upper level typically contains a kitchen, living room, and dining room. At the very peak of the house, directly under the roof, is the attic. This area is used for additional storage and is sometimes used to house a heating and cooling system.
Is a raised ranch cheaper to build?
Yes, a raised ranch is typically cheaper to build compared to a two-story home of similar size and specifications. This is because there is less construction work required and fewer materials needed than a two-story house, since the majority of the house is built on one level.
Additionally, the cost of a raised ranch is typically lower due to the fact that fewer utilities are needed. Raised ranches typically use one heating and cooling system, whereas two-story homes require two.
Additionally, raised ranches usually have lower roofing and foundation costs due to the fact that they are built on a single level. Finally, raised ranches often have lower labor costs associated with them since they require fewer trades during construction.
How many stories is a raised ranch?
A raised ranch typically has two stories, though the exact number of stories can vary depending on the specifics of the house’s design. The upper level typically consists of the main living area, as well as bedrooms and bathrooms.
The lower level is generally partially below ground and serves as a basement, though it can also be used as additional living space. Depending on the layout of the house, some raised ranch homes may even have three stories, with the lowest level serving as a cellar or additional storage area.
The entry of a raised ranch typically alternates between each level and generally faces the street.
What does a raised ranch mean?
A raised ranch is a style of house in which the main living area is one-story above ground, while the basement is partially or completely below the grade of the ground. The split-level design includes sleeping areas on the lower level and living areas, such as kitchen, dining, and living rooms, on the main level.
A raised ranch typically has an attached two-car garage, allowing for easy access to the main level.
Raised ranches first began appearing in the early 1960s, primarily in the New England area and the Midwestern United States. In this type of house, a portion of the basement is used as a laundry area and storage space, while the remaining provides an open recreational area.
The sloped roofline of a raised ranch can give the house a modern and contemporary look. The design is also praised for its energy efficiency, as the basement can provide insulation in the wintertime.
What is a ranch with a second floor called?
A ranch with a second floor is commonly referred to as a two-story ranch. This type of home offers the convenience of a ranch home with the additional living space provided by a second floor. The top floor typically contains two or three additional bedrooms and a full bathroom, which can be a great asset for expanding families or those who enjoy hosting overnight guests.
Additionally, the roofline of a two-story ranch is typically steeper than the roofline of a single-level ranch, creating an impressive look and providing valuable attic space for storage.
Why do people like raised ranches?
People like raised ranches for a variety of reasons. They are often seen as a synthesis between traditional ranch-style homes and a two-story home. Raised ranches usually have the traditional charm and layout of a single-story home, but with an expanded area on the second level, allowing for more living space.
This style is perfect for those who need more room but don’t want a large sprawling home. They are also often less expensive to build than a two-story home, making them a great option for those on a budget.
Additionally, water and energy bills tend to be lower with raised ranches due to the fact that they typically feature less square footage than a traditional two-story home. They are also usually easier to heat and cool compared to larger homes.
Last, but not least, many people find raised ranches to have an aesthetic charm that many traditional homes simply don’t have.
What is a 2 story house?
A two story house is a building that is two stories tall and stands on a single foundation. Generally, two story houses are constructed with two distinct levels, one on top of the other. The upper level of a two story house can generally be accessed by a staircase, while the bottom level is accessed via a door at the entrance.
The bottom level often contains the common areas of the home, such as the kitchen and living room. The upper level usually contains the bedrooms and bathrooms, although this can vary by house. Two story houses tend to have more space than other types of houses, making them popular for families and large groups.
Additionally, two story houses can have a greater visible presence, making them desirable to those who wish to have a more striking home.
Can you add a level to a raised ranch?
Yes, it is possible to add a level to a raised ranch. Depending on the home’s structure and design, you may be able to use traditional framing methods to expand the square footage of the main level. You could also potentially add a room above the existing level, creating a two-story height with a dormer in the roof line.
If creating an additional level is not structurally feasible, you could also build a large deck off the side or the back of the home to create additional living space. If the raised ranch is located in a flood zone, however, you may need to obtain approval from your local governing authority before moving forward with any construction.
Regardless of the path you choose to take, it’s best to consult with a professional contractor and architect prior to making any major changes to the home’s structure and design.
Is a ranch a bungalow?
No, a ranch is not a bungalow. A ranch house is a one-story house with a long, low-pitched roof, typically with an attached garage. A bungalow is usually a single-story house, generally with a small or medium-sized porch at the main entrance.
Bungalows usually have a gable roof and are often found in areas of older presettlement construction. Bungalows may be of any size, and may have basements, crawl spaces, and even attics. Furthermore, bungalows often have enclosed front porches, whereas ranch houses normally have an attached garage and a screened porch.
Ultimately, a ranch is not a bungalow.
What makes a house considered a bungalow?
A bungalow is a type of house typically characterized by its one- or one-and-a-half-story height, and its single-level layout. Typically, bungalows are one-story houses in which the main living floor is on one level.
The houses usually have a low-pitched roof and wide eaves, and often with gables facing the front of the house. They also generally have a small inner courtyard and a wide front porch. Bungalows are very cozy and intimate, making them a popular style of home in colder climates.
They often have steeply pitched roofs, which help keep the house warm even in extreme weather. Additionally, bungalows usually feature large, operable windows that provide plenty of natural light and warmth while also keeping the house naturally ventilated.
Many also feature wide porches and decks, further extending the living area of the home. In addition, the open floor plan of a bungalow offers additional flexibility for interior layouts and makes way for interesting interior design elements.
What are bungalows called in America?
In America, bungalows are often simply referred to as “bungalows. ” This is the most common term used to describe the single-story homes that typically have a low-pitched roof, an open porch, and overhanging eaves.
Bungalows often have dormer windows, too. Other terms that may be used to describe this type of home include Craftsman-style houses, ranch houses, and California bungalows. This style of home first proliferated throughout America in the early part of the 20th century.
Examples of bungalows can be seen in many neighborhoods across the United States and represent a traditional, popular style of architecture.
Can bungalows have basements?
Yes, bungalows can have basements, although they are less common than other types of homes, such as two-story homes, that may more frequently have a basement. Depending on the home’s location and its age, many bungalows are built on foundations that are shallow enough that the basement might be able to be built up from them.
Typically, these deep basements allow for more room to be added that does not extend the home’s foot print above-ground onto the limited land or lot it is on.
Basements can be used for additional storage space, liveable space, additional bedrooms, a home gym, a home office, a home theater, a home library, and more. If you are considering adding a basement to your bungalow, be sure to consult a structural engineer to ensure that your current foundation meets the requirements and can support the additional weight and stress of the basement.