Why do old houses have a door on the second floor?

This is an access door the ice delivery man used to use. Homes had an area in the pantry or kitchen dedicated to the icebox. Access was created for this door on the exterior, allowing for the delivery of fresh ice to the house without coming inside.

Why do old houses have half doors?

According to The Irish Times, "A traditional half-door is really a door and a half – a full door that opens inwards and a half door set to the front of the frame that opens outwards." They were designed to keep poultry and pigs from entering the house, as well as allowing air and sunlight into the usually dark and ...

Why do some old houses have 2 front doors?

Two doors indicated that the house probably had more than one room, which was a real symbol of prosperity for the American pioneer class. This reason makes sense when you consider that many midcentury homes (and even today's houses) make a show of the number of garage doors attached to the dwelling.

Why do old houses have so many exterior doors?

Old houses didn't have air conditioning and therefore have vastly more windows to help keep the structure cool on muggy summer nights. Many second front doors on homes, particularly Bungalows, lead from the front porch to the master bedroom.

Why are doorways so low in old houses?

Low ceilings, low doorways, and narrow staircases all work together to keep heat, usually generated by a fireplace, inside the rooms where most of the house work is done.

100 Year Old House 2nd Floor Addition

Why are doors in English homes so short?

The doors are shorter towards the lower end because the ceilings are lower and the rooms are smaller in what was (when it was built) the servants' quarters and the kitchen, etc.

Why do English houses have such low ceilings?

Why Do Homes In England Have Such Low Ceilings? In Britain, old houses, double glazed windows and central heating are typical of an older building, with less than modern insulation. Warm weather is the norm in the UK. Heat can be saved by lowering the ceiling of the lower part of the building.

Why did old houses have doors between bedrooms?

Historically, each room tended to have a very particular use, so it was advantageous to keep them separate. There was a practical element to this, too: The ability to close doors between rooms also helped heat and cool the home—no sense wasting energy in rooms weren't being used.

What is a coffin door?

Most frequently associated with 18th and early 19th-century houses in Connecticut, the coffin door is an exterior door located on the side of the house and typically situated near a corner of the side wall.

Why do Pennsylvania houses have two front doors?

But builders became more frugal in the 19th century. They eliminated the center hallway, which was absorbed into the two front rooms. These two rooms became the living room and the parlor, the latter used for company, funerals, weddings and other special events. Each room had a separate entrance.

Why did houses have two staircases?

In old mansions, household servants—and pre-Civil War, possibly slaves—were often directed to stay out of sight. The solution was a separate staircase in the back just for the servants to use. This is why your kitchen or pantry might be accessible by two staircases.

What is a coffin drop in a house?

1925 home interior. Of course, the 'best side' was only used on Sunday. The 'coffin drop', however, a rectangular trap door in the downstairs ceiling - through which the coffins of those who'd died in bed were ferried - was probably something only mentioned in the most hushed of whispers.

Why do Creole cottages have two doors?

The tour guide described the two sets of double doors immediately behind the staircase as the “brise” (French for breeze, as the Creole would have spoken French). These doors were not for use by people. They were only to let the breeze in.

Why did old homes not have closets?

At the time historical homes were built, most individuals didn't own more than a few articles of clothing, greatly reducing the need for closet storage. The few items they did own were usually folded and placed in a trunk or a chest of drawers (also called a “clothes press”), or hung from a hook on the wall.

Why do old houses have 10 foot ceilings?

At first, taller ceilings were offered as extras, but soon 9 feet became standard, so much so that drywall manufacturers started producing 4½–foot-wide sheets. Not be outdone, the builders of custom homes went to 10 feet. Something similar happened to office buildings.

What is a half height door called?

Dutch doors are essentially a single door that is split in the middle to allow the top half to open while the bottom half remains shut. They are secured together with a latch that allows homeowners to keep the door as one when needed.

What does a red front door mean?

Red front doors

In early American history, a red front door indicated travelers were welcome to spend the night. Perhaps this is why red is a popular front door color for many Colonial-style homes. Red doors also indicated homes involved in the Underground Railroad where fleeing slaves could be safe.

How many bodies are in the ground?

For all of the 7.4 billion people breathing on the planet right now, there are around 15 dead and buried beneath them. The Population Reference Bureau estimated 107 billion people have, ever, roamed the planet, Live Science reported.

Why do old houses have windows above doors?

Transom windows are those panels of glass you see above doors in old homes, especially those built in the Mission or Arts and Crafts styles. They admitted natural light to front hallways and interior rooms before the advent of electricity, and circulated air even when doors were closed for privacy.

Why is the master bedroom at the front of the house?

A master bedroom in the front of the house is not only convenient but also provides a private view of your front yard. You can see visitors coming to your door and neighborhood activity, giving you peace of mind. In the front of your house you'll be closer to your children, the kitchen, and great room.

Why do old houses have basements?

Building foundations need to be below the frost line in order to avoid freezing pipes. The frost line in northern states tends to be several feet below ground, so basements are a helpful addition.

Why are there no basements in England?

Except for Britain, Australia and New Zealand, cellars are popular in most western countries. In the United Kingdom, almost all new homes built since the 1960s have no cellar or basement due to the extra cost of digging down further into the sub-soil and a requirement for much deeper foundations and waterproof tanking.

Why are homes in Europe so small?

European cities are generally smaller in size, so they don't have a lot of room for big homes. Most Europeans prefer smaller homes because they are much more energy-efficient and more comfortable to maintain.

Why do all UK houses look the same?

Because the majority of the houses are built by the same builders, the building materials, design, and appearance will be identical. As a result, numerous residences in various parts of a city may appear to be the same.

Why don t British houses have porches?

Gardens. Homes tend not to have porches as you know them in the U.S., but a lot of houses have conservatories which are made up of windows in the back of the house. They catch the sun when it's out and are a nice place to sit when it's raining outside. The British would never sit out in the front of their house.