A-frame homes are distinctive architectural structures characterised by steeply angled roofs. Its form, which takes the shape of the letter A, peaks at the top, while its sides slope down to the ground level.
Originally known as roof huts in ancient Europe, the Pacific Islands, and the Far East, they were built not for aesthetic purposes but because they were better suited to tremors, earthquakes, and other adverse conditions.
They didn't become fancier structures until the 1930s. By the 1950s, A-frame houses became popular as resort cabins and holiday getaways for the elite and the adventurous.
Today, they are sleek and stylish modern homes that are relatively cheap to build, adaptable, and available as prefabricated house kits.
Structural Features
A-frame buildings have a basic skeletal structure (inner wood or steel frame) enveloped by varied materials, depending on the architectural style sought.
- Cedar, oak, or similar wood.
- Steel members (pre-coated with intumescent paint).
- Pre-fabricated boards and dry walls for interior partitioning.
- Brick or stone for the exterior walls.
- Tempered clear or tinted glass.
- Roof materials that range from thatch to aluminium sheets.
Although the interiors may have limited floor space, there are designs that come as one-and-a-half or two-storey houses with open and inviting interiors and soaring ceilings.
Other features include:
- Hardwood, ceramic tiles, bamboo, and stone materials like marble, granite, or quartz flooring.
- Exotic masonry fireplaces.
- Half-floor lofts, attics, and cantilevered balconies.
A-frame house kits are available for individuals who wish to self-build a getaway home. Their house plans and blueprints, complete with building instructions, are also available for purchase online.
Who is this Architectural Style Ideal For?
- Homeowners seeking to live a downsized lifestyle.
- As an additional structure on a large property that will serve as guest quarters or parents' apartment.
- A studio or work-at-home office.
- Health spa and clinic.
- Craft room for those in the craft-making industry.
A-frame home designs are an ideal choice for first-time home buyers or investors in the building industry. And if you are looking for a second home or a vacation home, choose an A-frame house. If you can’t find one to buy, build it.
(Culled from an article originally published by the author on Luxury Dream Home Designs)
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