Mansard Roof Second Empire House

The dormer windows that penetrate the roof reveal its secret.

Mansard roof second empire house.

The mansard roof disguises an additional story of living space. Second empire style homes share the characteristic mansard roof a steeply sloping roof with slightly flared eaves. In second empire buildings the mansard roof must be the dominant feature not a subsidiary one. However the tall mansard roofthat we associate with the style dates back to renaissance times.

In fact the second empire style is often called the mansard style. The second empire style s popularity led to a widespread remodeling boom during which mansard roofs were incorporated into formerly pitched roof residences. One of the most elegant mansard rooftops on all of staten island belongs to stately borough hall which was constructed between 1904 and 1906. Single family home built in 1881 that sold on 01 29 2018.

Grand front porch soaring ceilings grand staircases and architectural details throughout. In the same way many stick style houses have mansard roofs but they are not second empire because it is the stick style features that dominate the design. Beautiful second empire italianate of 3600 sq ft on over 5 5 acres in saratoga springs. Such a house is still a queen anne not a second empire.

The mansard roof is actually one of the style s most distinguishing features. At its most elaborate the look was sometimes described as a wedding cake. During the renaissance in italy and france many buildings had steep double sloped roofs. While the steep mansard roof of miss morgan s castle.

The most prominent feature of the second empire style is a mansard roof named after 17th century french architect francois mansart. The steep pitch of the roof yields more usable space beneath it than a traditional gable roof. In a word no. You might for example have a queen anne house with a gabled main roof and a mansard roofed tower.