Victorian houses are very distinctive and can be identified by a
number of typical features and characteristics
In last week’s article 'Victorian Houses – Part 1 - Dwellings of character but not without their problems!' I discussed how Victorian houses seem to
maintain a great deal of character and history compared to the vast majority of
houses that we build today. Despite this
I also considered the difficulties that would have been encountered by those
living in Victorian houses prior to the introduction of some of the more modern
facilities that we take for granted today, such as insulated walls, central
heating, internal WC and bathrooms etc.
This week I would like to focus on some of the typical characteristics that make
Victorian Houses different from most other types of houses. In Part 3 next week I will consider some of the
typical defects that may be found in Victorian dwellings. If you are considering buying or renting a
Victorian house you may find this information of interest.
Bay Windows
incorporating sheet glass
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| Source: Own |
Iron
Railings - Many Victorian Iron railings were removed during the Second World War to
make ammunition, however those that were not removed or perhaps have been restored may look like the photograph below.
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Source: http://idostuff.co.uk/blogs/2010/reclamation-cast-iron-railing-fence/
|
Flemish
Bond Brickwork - This bond is formed when bricks are laid
alternately at their longest side (stretcher) followed by their shortest side
(header) with the sequence repeated. As you
can see in the image below the next course is laid in the same way with the
headers located at the centre of stretchers below.
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| Source: http://www.pavingexpert.com/ |
Patterns in the brickwork made
from coloured bricks - This is not a feature of every
Victorian House however due to the rapidly expanding availability of bricks and
developing transport networks, the Victorians started to experiment with bricks
to provide decorative features to their houses
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| Source: http://thedomesticsoundscape.com/ |
Stained glass in doorways and
windows - This is something
that became a common feature in Victorian houses and evolved into the Edwardian
period which followed
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| Source: http://www.corianderstainedglass.co.uk/ |
Slate Roof
Coverings
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| Source: http://www.k-roofing.co.uk/ |
Narrow
Roads and No Garages - Cars were not a consideration in Victorian
times so there would have not been a requirement to accommodate traffic on
roads or to provide garages. This is why
we will often find travelling along Victorian streets nowadays is sometimes
problematic, due to parked cars on both sides of the road
 |
| Source: http://billdargue.jimdo.com/ |
Sliding
Sash Windows - Sliding sash windows are those that open vertically, usually be means of sash cords and weights. Most windows nowadays are casement types (hinged), although sash windows are still used today particularly in restoration works.
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Source: Image courtesy of Graham Stead
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Outhouse
Toilet - This is
something that was discussed in last week’s article and in particular how
uncomfortable it would have been using the toilet in cold weather and in the
middle of the night!
Tiled
Entrance Halls
Cast Iron
Fireplaces - Unlike modern houses which may have a
‘feature’ fireplace in one or two rooms, Victorian houses incorporated cast
iron fireplaces such as indicated below, in most of the rooms within the house
including all of the bedrooms.
Next week in the final part of this ‘mini series’ on Victorian houses, I
will consider some of the typical defects that may be found. Be sure to take a look!
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