Why do old houses have little doors?

The Real Purpose of Little Doors

In some old houses, the little doors are designated storage space for a card table! These small spaces were meant to keep card tables—which almost everyone had in the 1950s—tucked away neat and tidy until you had company over.

Why do 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.

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 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 were there 2 front doors on old houses?

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 Old Homes Have A Tiny Iron Door

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.

What were transom windows used for?

Transom windows which could be opened to provide cross-ventilation while maintaining security and privacy (due to their small size and height above floor level) were a common feature of apartments, homes, office buildings, schools, and other buildings before central air conditioning and heating became common beginning ...

Why do old houses have sinks in bedrooms?

I lived in a large victorian home some years ago and every bedroom had a sink in the corner It was actually very useful when we only had one bathroom. It meant we could wash our faces, brush teeth etc in the privacy of our own rooms and not clog up the bathroom with people attempting to do the same.

Why do old houses have only one bathroom?

Because of the plumbing involved, installing walls and such for bedrooms was significantly less expensive than constructing bathrooms. So, the most straightforward answer is that having more than one bathroom was too expensive.

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.

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.

What is a pony door?

The bottom stable door was divided in to two separate doors that cater for much smaller ponies but in due course the two bottom doors can be bolted together to create a standard height bottom stable door for when they grow taller or the larger horse.Each of the bottom doors has the full complement of door furnishings ...

Why do Dutch doors exist?

Dutch doors were common in the Netherlands in the 17th century. They were devised for use as exterior doors on farmhouses to keep animals out and children in, while allowing air and light to come and go. Dutch settlers brought the style to the US, where it appeared on rural houses in New York and New Jersey.

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 do old houses have so many outside 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 do old houses last longer?

Water destroys materials that are prone to rot — increased moisture content allows bacteria, fungi, and insects to survive and to use that wood as a food source. In old houses, they used materials that were more naturally rot resistant, such as old growth pine that are full of resins and natural chemicals.

When did outhouses stop being used?

Well into the 20th century, outhouses remained in use in cities, as well as the country.

What is a Pittsburgh shower?

It consists of an ordinary flush toilet installed in the basement, with no surrounding walls. Most of these toilets are paired with a crude basement shower apparatus and large sink, which often doubles as a laundry basin.

Why are houses in England so small?

There are two reasons why most British houses are so small: first, they were built before building regulations required larger homes; second, they're still being used for income rather than occupancy purposes, so owners don't need that much space.

Why is there a sink in the hallway?

The sink was used to rinse out mops and rags, along with dumping dirty mop water and filling a bucket with fresh water. This made work easier for a housekeeper and kept dirt out of the kitchen or bathroom sinks. Mop sinks may also be referred to as a butler's sink.

When were bathrooms added to houses?

By 1920, the majority of new construction included indoor plumbing and at least one full bathroom. By 1930, the shelter magazines often remarked on the need for a second bathroom. Pre-1900 homes were subject to remodeling and bathroom additions even if that meant adding a toilet and sink out on the back porch.

Why do old doors 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.

What is the small window above a door called?

Transom or transom window is also the customary U.S. word used for a transom light, the window over this crosspiece. A transom window is a curved, square, balanced, or asymmetrical window that hangs above a transom, and its corresponding doorway.

Can you open a transom window?

Yes, you can! As we said, transom windows that open are much rarer now since they are no longer needed for ventilation. However, if you want one that opens, it is still possible.