Mansard Roof Second Empire House

Second empire style homes share the characteristic mansard roof a steeply sloping roof with slightly flared eaves.

Mansard roof second empire house.

During the renaissance in italy and france many buildings had steep double sloped roofs. The second empire style s popularity led to a widespread remodeling boom during which mansard roofs were incorporated into formerly pitched roof residences. At its most elaborate the look was sometimes described as a wedding cake. In the u s the style was most popular in the 1860s through.

The mansard roof is actually one of the style s most distinguishing features. The steep pitch of the roof yields more usable space beneath it than a traditional gable roof. One of the most elegant mansard rooftops on all of staten island belongs to stately borough hall which was constructed between 1904 and 1906. In a word no.

The mansard roof is a ubiquitous feature in american second empire houses built between 1860 and 1890. 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. The term second empirerefers to the empire that louis napoleon napoleon iii established in france during the mid 1800s. Such a house is still a queen anne not a second empire.

While the steep mansard roof of miss morgan s castle. You might for example have a queen anne house with a gabled main roof and a mansard roofed tower. The dormer windows that penetrate the roof reveal its secret. Beautiful second empire italianate of 3600 sq ft on over 5 5 acres in saratoga springs.

However the tall mansard roofthat we associate with the style dates back to renaissance times. Grand front porch soaring ceilings grand staircases and architectural details throughout. The mansard roof disguises an additional story of living space. In fact the second empire style is often called the mansard style.