Tudor Style Architecture & Construction services

architect's desk
Aug 10, 2017
5 min read

One of our recent project located in a down town of Skokie, IL 60077 was a traditional Tudor style house. Existing building was built 1932 in traditional Tudor style having a steeply unused attic space with pitched roof, brick and stone components including original slate roof tiles. Our Company provided a full Design & Build Services. Gut rehab project included: Height Performance Mechanical solution , HRV system, zoned ductless cooling system,hydronic floor heating, private elevator, wall size sliding window /door manufactured in Poland, and much more.

Total construction area over 6,000 sq.ft.

architect of record: CH + Architects, Ltd.;

General Contractor TLC Development Corporation (2015 & 2016)

What is Tudor architecture, Tudor style

You probably hear many people identify this asymmetrical style of architecture by one word—Tudor—but Tudor Revival may be more accurate.

Example of front door in Tudor Style.

Skokie, IL 60077 (courtesy of CHLEBEK Architects, Ltd.) Before Design & Construction (2014)

However, in the United States, this style of home first became popular during the late 19th century and the first half of the 20th century—then again in the late 20th century. These homes feature elements inspired by the medieval architecture of Tudor England in the early 16th century—thus, the term

Tudor Revival characterizing steeply pitched roofs most of the time covered by stone slate including decorative half timbering, embellished doorways, windows typically have multiple panes and often clustered together, large chimney with decorative chimney pots,

When referring to the architectural style in the U.S., the term "Tudor" is historically imprecise. It refers not to typical buildings of Tudor England (early 16th century) but instead to a style popularized in the United States during the end of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century.

Furthermore, the style is more of a catchall term based loosely on a variety of elements from medieval English architecture, from humble cottages to stately manors.

It’s one of the most recognizable features of a Tudor home. Medieval homes in Europe featured walls in which the spaces between the supporting timbers were filled, leaving the structure exposed on the facade.

Skokie, IL 60077 (courtesy of CHLEBEK Architects, Ltd.) Before construction

Modern-day houses typically conceal that structure with cladding. The decorative half-timbers on Tudor homes are an effort to mimic authentic medieval structures All Tudor houses have steeply pitched roofs, usually with side gables, meaning the gables “open” on the sides of the house. The steep roofs are often punctuated by dormer windows, like those below.

The facade usually features a portion of the house that juts out and is topped with a cross-gabled roof, also with a steep pitch. A pitched roof means there’s more space underneath for storage or extra bedrooms. Adding dormers is a great way not only to boost curb appeal but to bring in natural light. In our project, these existing pitched roof areas have been used for future dormer construction by bringing more light and future use of existing space under roof.

Existing attic space has been converted from unused storage area, into future office space including private elevator access. Adding roof windows and additional floor area, not only increased area of existing attic living space but boosted entire curb appeal by bringing in natural light, fresh air and connection with the exterior environment.

Skokie, IL 60077 (courtesy of CHLEBEK Architects, Ltd.) Attic construction

Skokie, IL 60077 (courtesy of CHLEBEK Architects, Ltd.) Additional dormer After Construction (2015)

Although some Tudor homes feature include double-hung windows, they most of the time (I would say always) have at least one set of casement windows. The windows also are usually tall and narrow, typically have multiple panes and are often clustered together.

Truly authentic. In our project owner decided to use a triple pane glass casement windows around the house. Tudor houses usually feature at least one set of leaded glass windows, in which metal casings hold together the individual panes as in the window above. Stone or lead mullions, like the ones on right side often separate a different piece of glass. decorative shower area window, Tudor entries are celebrated. Everything about them says solid. The doors are often made of board and batten wood, generally arched (sometimes with a Tudor, or pointed, arch like this one) and typically boast some sort of medieval-looking hardware like strap hinges. Statement-making door surrounds, like this one surrounded by stone, call even more attention to the entryways

.

Skokie, IL 60077 (courtesy of CHLEBEK Architects, Ltd.) construction

Tudor houses are built with several siding materials. Although brick and stone are the most common types, stucco wall cladding plays a significant role in the Tudor style as well. In Tudor Style house, not only are the chimneys large, often with multiple shafts, but they also commonly feature decorative chimney pots (the top part of the chimney), usually either round or octagonal. There’s something about the chimneys, like the squatty

doorways, that conveys a sense of permanence.

Future design and elevation including floor plans reflecting rear addition with private elevator

New Site Improvement Rear Addition to the existing structure C H + Architect & Builders offers construction services to all our clients.

Family Room floor ceramic tiles with hydronic floor heating system.

Skokie, IL 60077 (courtesy of CHLEBEK Architects, Ltd.) Architectural Drawings Before construction

Project Management provided by our Company. This is an additional service that helps you to find the best-priced contractor when it comes time to begin the actual construction phase of your project.

Skokie, IL 60077

(courtesy of CHLEBEK Architects, Ltd.) Before construction

There are obvious advantages to having your architect manage the design and construction process on your construction project.

First, while any individual person or company may deal with contractors from time to time, it is part of our day to day job. Because of this, we know exactly what to expect from contractors during a construction process, and exactly what we want from them. We manage the entire bidding process, from start to finish.

We start by creating detailed technical documents that guarantee all bidding contractors are working from the same starting point. The contractors will know exactly what is required for the project, which means that the bids will be an apples-to-apples

comparison.

Second, we have pre-established relationships with many of contractors, and because of long working relationships, we can often get a better price than you could on your own.