Mansard Roof Second Empire House

The most prominent feature of the second empire style is a mansard roof named after 17th century french architect francois mansart.

Mansard roof second empire house.

The mansard roof is actually one of the style s most distinguishing features. Second empire style homes share the characteristic mansard roof a steeply sloping roof with slightly flared eaves. At its most elaborate the look was sometimes described as a wedding cake. The steep pitch of the roof yields more usable space beneath it than a traditional gable roof.

During the renaissance in italy and france many buildings had steep double sloped roofs. However the tall mansard roofthat we associate with the style dates back to renaissance times. The mansard roof disguises an additional story of living space. Beautiful second empire italianate of 3600 sq ft on over 5 5 acres in saratoga springs.

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. In a word no. The second empire style s popularity led to a widespread remodeling boom during which mansard roofs were incorporated into formerly pitched roof residences. In fact the second empire style is often called the mansard style.

Grand front porch soaring ceilings grand staircases and architectural details throughout. While the steep mansard roof of miss morgan s castle. Single family home built in 1881 that sold on 01 29 2018. The term second empirerefers to the empire that louis napoleon napoleon iii established in france during the mid 1800s.

In the u s the style was most popular in the 1860s through. The mansard roof is a ubiquitous feature in american second empire houses built between 1860 and 1890. In second empire buildings the mansard roof must be the dominant feature not a subsidiary one. Such a house is still a queen anne not a second empire.