{"id":75152,"date":"2022-03-03T16:29:19","date_gmt":"2022-03-04T00:29:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=75152"},"modified":"2023-03-20T10:32:23","modified_gmt":"2023-03-20T17:32:23","slug":"what-is-a-split-level-house","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/what-is-a-split-level-house\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is a Split-Level House? All About This Mid-Century Style"},"content":{"rendered":"

Houses come in many styles and builds \u2013 it\u2019s part of what makes them so unique and desirable. From the <\/span>Mediterranean style<\/span><\/a> to the <\/span>Cape Cod style<\/span><\/a>, the possibilities are endless. A historically popular house style is the split-level house, which emerged from the raised <\/span>ranch-style house<\/span><\/a> in the 1930s, but gained popularity in the 1950s. This architectural style has fallen in popularity recently, but continues to be a great housing option for many homebuyers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Characterized by its multi-story, simple, and spacious design, the split-level house is perfect for households large and small. So whether you\u2019re looking to buy or <\/span>rent a home<\/span><\/a>, a split-level house may be for you.<\/span><\/p>\n

History of the split-level house<\/span><\/h2>\n

Also called tri-level homes, the split-level house originated as a spin-off of the ranch-style house. The style gained popularity as soldiers returned home from WWII and began to have children, signaling the start of the baby boom. The abundance of larger households needed fast housing options. Because split-level houses could be built quickly and affordably, they were the best choice, popping up in cities across the country like <\/span>Rochester, NY<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>Kansas City, MO<\/span><\/a>. These homes were also perfect for suburban life – they could fit easily on small, square plots of land and had an attached garage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Characteristics of the split-level house<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019ve seen <\/span>The Brady Bunch<\/span><\/i>, you\u2019ll know exactly what a split-level house looks like. While designs can vary widely, these modest homes have at least three floors connected by short flights of stairs. The front door usually leads into the common area, with short stairs down to the garage and laundry room and up to the bedrooms. Common features include low-pitched roofs, integrated garages, large living areas, natural materials, minimal ornamentation, and plenty of windows.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Split-level houses are considered two-story homes even though they have three or more floors. This is because the main room, which connects the basement to the bedrooms, is halfway between floors. The vertical distance between the two floors is not a full flight of stairs, so it\u2019s not counted as a full story.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Split-level houses will often have sliding glass doors leading out to the backyard. Outside, there is usually a patio and a grass-filled yard. In a split-level home, you\u2019ll want to use the patio to your advantage. For example, <\/span>Kelly Masonry<\/span><\/a>, a <\/span>Springfield, PA<\/span><\/a> patio specialist, advises, <\/span>“When done right, patios provide homeowners a boost in curb appeal as well as an aesthetically-pleasing area outside the home to unwind and enjoy. Masonry materials such as pavers, bricks, and flagstone are not only stunning additions to your home’s exterior but are also extremely durable and easy to maintain.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Typical split-level house floor plans<\/span><\/h2>\n

The entrance to a typical split-level home is usually on the main floor leading into the main living area. From there, short stairways lead up to the top floor and down to the bottom floor and. Floor plans can vary widely, but they generally follow a simple formula:<\/span><\/p>\n