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According to legend, the roof form of a salt box house was a way to save some taxes from the law. This tactic was used by homeowners throughout the 1600s and 1700s to avoid a tox on two-story residences. The additional square level of the salt box house was hidden beneath the long sloping roof, giving the backside the appearance of a single story. Originating in New England around the mid-17th century, saltbox homes were initially created by adding a lean-to extension to the rear of an existing structure.
The History of Saltbox-Style Houses
And while this quaint home style has roots going back centuries, many contemporary architects have reinvented its design in modern revivals. A saltbox house is a gable-roofed residential structure that is typically two stories in the front and one in the rear. It is a traditional New England style of home, originally timber framed, which takes its name from its resemblance to a wooden lidded box in which salt was once kept.
Preservation and Restoration of Saltbox Houses
Saltbox dwellers of the past were typically farmers who maintained a strong connection to nature and weathered many challenging seasons. Shettleworth explains that owners of saltbox houses had "a very simple, rural existence that was tied directly to the land and the sea," he says. "Simplicity of the home itself was reflected in the life that happened within it; it was very much tied to the seasons and the challenge of getting through each winter." The structure's unequal sides and long, low rear roofline are its most distinctive features. If User does not agree to these terms, User is not authorized to use this Site. The material provided on this Site is protected by law, including, but not limited to, United States Copyright law and international treaties.2.
Famous saltbox houses
Legend has it that the unique roof shape was a strategic response to Queen Anne's tax on two-story homes in the 17th and 18th centuries. By extending into a single-story structure at the rear, the roof cleverly concealed additional living space, potentially offering homeowners a way to circumvent the tax. Saltbox houses are named after the wooden salt boxes used in colonial kitchens. In addition to cozy space within the original structure, a new cantilevered building with creekside views offered additional living space for a young family, complete with a sunny modern kitchen and primary suite. A saltbox house is a historic style of home with a steep gabled roof featuring two stories in the front and one story in the back.
Saltbox houses remain popular and new versions are still being built, especially in New England where the passively warm design plays into the energy efficient designs popular today. A prominent centrally positioned chimney in the house served to radiate warmth throughout the night into all the rooms of the house. Though there are some later examples with large end chimneys these were less common. The aging of Saltbox houses can result in deterioration of the structural elements, such as the timber framing and foundation. Preservation efforts often involve assessing and repairing these core components to ensure the stability and longevity of the house. Preserving Saltbox houses presents various challenges and requires careful attention to detail.
By protecting these houses, we not only honor their historical significance but also enrich our understanding of the diverse architectural traditions that have shaped our communities. Restoring Saltbox houses may require extensive research to accurately replicate historical details and architectural elements. This often involves consulting historical documents, photographs, and even seeking expert guidance from preservation organizations or architectural historians familiar with the style.
The History of the Saltbox House, a Timeless Style of New England Architecture
The saltbox building style has a signature, steeply pitched asymmetrical roof on one side, a central chimney, and often has clapboard siding. Saltbox houses are distinguished by their structural design, which typically features two stories in the front and one story at the rear, often complemented by painted shutters and shingles. A central chimney rising from the center of the house adds to the uniqueness of the saltbox structure. The enduring appeal of saltbox houses, coupled with their rich historical significance, continues to captivate those who value the blend of classic and contemporary architectural styles. She chose rough cedar cladding for the exterior because this knotty, natural material minimizes maintenance and patinas beautifully over time. "It has the lines and form of a modernist house coupled with the environmental efficiencies of a centuries-old vernacular style."
Clean lines can be a path to modern design
Realtor completes breathtaking restoration of two stunning saltbox houses on remote Newfoundland island that c - Daily Mail
Realtor completes breathtaking restoration of two stunning saltbox houses on remote Newfoundland island that c.
Posted: Wed, 03 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Reverend John Smith built this saltbox home and lived there with his wife and their 13 children during the final quarter of the 17th century. The dwelling boasts such historic architectural elements as gunstock posts to support the walls and pumpkin pine beams from Maine. The house earned its name from its subsequent owner, whaling captain Abraham Hoxie, before it was acquired and restored by the small town of Sandwich in the 1950s. The saltbox got its unique name because the roof shape is reminiscent of old colonial saltboxes that were kept in the kitchen. These wooded boxes kept the families supply of salt and had a distinct slope on one side to allow easier access to scoop salt out when needed.
Historic East Hampton Saltbox Has Ties to Grey Gardens Architect and a $14.2M Price Tag - SFGATE
Historic East Hampton Saltbox Has Ties to Grey Gardens Architect and a $14.2M Price Tag.
Posted: Mon, 15 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The architecture of traditional and modern saltbox homes is similar, but there are a few defining characteristics of the original structures. Colonial builds often featured exposed wood ceiling beams thanks to the simplicity of their design, which adds a beautiful rustic touch to today's well-maintained historic homes. Since early saltbox homes predated electricity, the fireplace was designed at the center of the home in order to radiate heat throughout each room. You'll likely find a large fireplace made of stone or brick for wood-burning fires. Some modern versions have a breezeway between the house and an add-on, like a garage. Some homes use metal siding, rather than the traditional wood clapboard siding, giving them a modern touch.
Saltbox architecture is not a common sight, it is rare and interesting to look at from an architectural standpoint. A saltbox house’s large windows offer it a wonderful aesthetic aspect while also allowing you to take in more sunlight through its large windows. Saltboxes became the name for their slanting roofs, and the style spread from there. This style gained popularity in the 17th century, and the first saltbox roofs developed in colonial New England.
Once part of their exteriors, they are preserved in place in attics that were created when shed-roofed additions were added onto the homes. Narrow clapboard or shingle siding is the most common cladding for traditional Saltboxes. On the original homes, the siding was left to weather to a natural grayish brown. Today, most Saltbox exteriors are stained, while others are painted white or a subdued shade of brown, grey, red, or yellow. In modern and restored older Saltbox homes, the rear addition is usually no longer divided into three rooms.
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