Historical Home Concerns
1900’s
Victorian Elegance
1900 - 1909
Building Styles:
Late Edwardian & Victorian (Queen Anne, Edwardian Vernacular)
Steep gabled roofs, turrets, wraparound verandahs
Ornate trims, bay windows, high ceilings, stained glass, hardwood floors
Benefits:
Timeless craftsmanship & period details
Large mature lots
Heritage designation potential with grants/tax incentives
Thick, solid framing
Likely Framing:
Old growth Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar, very dense and durable
Common Building Materials:
Electrical:
Knob-and-tube wiring, minimal circuits
Issues: Fire hazard, insulation deterioration, outdated fuse boxes
Plumbing:
Cast iron drains; galvanized steel or lead supply lines
Issues: Corrosion, leaks, lead contamination
Foundation:
Stone or brick foundations
Issues: Settling, cracks, moisture intrusion
Other:
Balloon wood-frame, clapboard/shingle siding, wood/early slate roofs, lath-and-plaster walls
Issues: Roof leaks, wood rot, drafty rooms, no insulation, coal/wood heating inefficiency
1910’s
Craftsman Charm
1910 - 1919
Building Styles:
Arts & Crafts, Craftsman Bungalows
Low-pitched gabled roofs, exposed rafters, wide eaves
Porches with stone/brick columns or timber posts
Tudor Revival / English Cottage influences
Benefits:
Cozy charm with built-in cabinetry and fireplaces
Large lots in established neighborhoods
More affordable than grand Victorian estates
Potential for tasteful modern updates
Likely Framing:
Mostly old growth Douglas Fir; still very solid and resilient
Common Building Materials:
Electrical:
Knob-and-tube wiring; fuse panels; minimal outlets
Issues: Fire risk, limited capacity, outdated wiring
Plumbing:
Copper supply emerging; cast iron drains; galvanized pipes still common
Issues: Corrosion, leaks, limited water pressure
Foundation:
Stone or early poured concrete; shallow crawlspaces
Issues: Rot, settling, dampness
Other:
Wood-frame, shingle/cedar siding, asphalt shingle roofs, plaster walls
Issues: Roof maintenance, drafty rooms, oil/coal heating inefficiency
1920’s
Revival & Refinement
1920 - 1929
Building Styles:
Arts & Crafts bungalows, Tudor Revival cottages
Colonial Revival touches: symmetrical façades, classical columns
Some early Art Deco or Spanish-style accents
Benefits:
Generous lot sizes with period charm
Built-in features: hardwood floors, leaded glass windows
Easier maintenance than Victorian estates
Balance of heritage style & livability
Likely Framing:
Old growth Douglas Fir, possibly mixed with second growth as old-growth supply dwindled
Common Building Materials:
Electrical:
Fuse panels, mostly 2-wire circuits, limited outlets
Issues: Electrical capacity limited, safety hazards, outdated wiring
Plumbing:
Copper supply, cast iron drains, old galvanized pipes may remain
Issues: Corrosion, leaks
Foundation:
Poured concrete, brick foundation walls
Issues: Settling, cracks
Other:
Platform wood-frame, clapboard/shingle/concrete block exteriors, asphalt shingle or tile roofs, plaster walls
Issues: Stucco/brick moisture penetration, roof maintenance, plaster cracking
1930’s
Deco Era
1930 - 1939
Building Styles:
Modest Cape Cod & English cottages
Steep gabled roofs, dormers, minimal ornamentation
Some Art Deco apartments
Benefits:
Solid, well-proportioned homes
Cozy layouts
Large lots, often former rural properties
Often updated mid-century
Likely Framing:
Old growth Douglas Fir, mostly smaller dimension than earlier builds
Common Building Materials:
Electrical:
2-wire circuits, fuse panels, minimal outlets
Issues: Limited capacity, outdated, potential fire risk
Plumbing:
Copper or galvanized supply; cast iron drains
Issues: Corrosion, leaks
Foundation:
Minimal concrete or shallow foundations; sometimes slab-on-grade
Issues: Settling, moisture
Other:
Wood-frame, stucco or brick veneer, plaster walls
Issues: Stucco moisture penetration, minimal insulation, roof maintenance
1940’s
Postwar Boom
1940 - 1949
Building Styles:
Ranch-style cottages, post-war Cape Cod
Symmetrical façades, small porches, gabled roofs
Minimal ornamentation
Benefits:
Efficient single-story layouts
Family-friendly lots
Mid-century sturdiness
Easier maintenance than pre-war homes
Likely Framing:
Second growth Douglas Fir or Western Hemlock, smaller dimensions than pre-war
Common Building Materials:
Electrical:
Fuse panels, limited outlets
Issues: Outdated wiring
Plumbing:
Copper supply, cast iron drains
Issues: Aging pipes
Foundation:
Poured concrete or shallow footings
Issues: Settling
Other:
Wood-frame, plaster/drywall, asphalt shingle roofs
Issues: Early asbestos possible in insulation/pipe wrap, roof maintenance
1950’s
Mid-Century Modern
1950 - 1959
Building Styles:
Mid-Century Modern & Ranch
Low-pitched roofs, wide eaves, picture windows
Attached garages, open layouts
Benefits:
Open, light-filled layouts
High ceilings & outdoor integration
Generous lots
Many homes already updated
Likely Framing:
Second growth Douglas Fir, Spruce or Pine common, platform framing
Common Building Materials:
Electrical:
100–150A panels, copper wiring
Issues: Panels may need upgrading
Plumbing:
Copper supply, cast iron drains
Issues: Corrosion, leaks
Foundation:
Poured concrete; slab or crawlspace
Issues: Settling, minor cracks
Other:
Drywall interiors, brick/veneer siding, asphalt shingles, fiberglass insulation
Issues: Possible asbestos in flooring or insulation, roof maintenance
1960’s
Mod Living
1960 - 1969
Building Styles:
Split-levels, ranch, West Coast Contemporary
Brick, wood paneling, early stucco
Post-and-beam interiors
Benefits:
Spacious homes with garages/basements
Period charm (brick/wood accents)
Family-friendly neighborhoods
Solid mid-century construction
Likely Framing:
Second growth Douglas Fir, Spruce or Pine common, standard 2 x 4 framing
Common Building Materials:
Electrical:
Copper wiring; 2-wire and 3-wire circuits; fuse panels
Issues: Some aluminum branch circuits fire risk
Plumbing:
Copper supply, cast iron drains
Issues: Aging pipes
Foundation:
Poured concrete slab or crawlspace
Issues: Settling, minor cracks
Other:
Drywall, wood paneling, stucco exteriors, fiberglass insulation
Issues: Roof, window, and stucco maintenance
1970’s
Split-Level Heaven
1970 - 1979
Building Styles:
West Coast Contemporary, post-and-beam ranch, split-level
Stucco, brick veneer, neo-Tudor touches
Benefits:
Spacious layouts, open plan
Post-and-beam style, large lots
Better insulation & ventilation than earlier decades
Modern aesthetic appeal
Likely Framing:
SPF lumber (modern framing, 2×4 or 2×6), post-and-beam structural elements
Common Building Materials:
Electrical:
Copper wiring; 100–200A panels
Issues: May require panel upgrades
Plumbing:
Poly-B (late 70s), copper supply, cast iron drains
Issues: Poly-B prone to leaks, corrosion
Foundation:
Poured concrete slab or crawlspace
Issues: Settling, cracking
Other:
Stucco or brick veneer, drywall, fiberglass insulation
Issues: Asbestos in insulation or flooring, stucco moisture penetration
1980’s
Suburban Rise
1980 - 1989
Building Styles:
Neo-eclectic: ranches, two-storey, neo-Colonial/Tudor
Stucco and vinyl siding, multi-gabled roofs
Benefits:
Spacious, modern layouts
Multiple bedrooms, garages
Moderate maintenance needs
Established neighborhoods
Likely Framing:
SPF lumber, 2×4 or 2×6 framing; platform construction
Common Building Materials:
Electrical:
Copper wiring; 100–200A panels
Issues: Panel updates may be needed
Plumbing:
Copper supply, cast iron drains; poly-B early phase out
Issues: Stucco moisture issues, pipe maintenance
Foundation:
Poured concrete slab or crawlspace
Issues: Minor settling
Other:
Drywall, asphalt shingle roofs, vinyl siding
Issues: Roof and gutter maintenance, stucco inspection
1990’s
Traditional Revival
1990 - 1999
Building Styles:
Neo-traditional, Craftsman/Colonial revivals, townhouse/condo stucco
Medium-steep roofs, bay windows, luxury finishes
Benefits:
Modern layouts, energy efficiency
Large square footage, luxury features
Established neighborhoods
Likely Framing:
SPF lumber, 2×4/2×6 platform framing
Common Building Materials:
Electrical:
Copper wiring, 100–200A panels
Issues: Standard maintenance only
Plumbing:
Copper supply, some early PEX
Issues: Poly-B phase out, minor leaks
Foundation:
Poured concrete slab or crawlspace
Issues: Minor settling
Other:
Vinyl/Hardie-board siding, drywall, asphalt shingles, insulation
Issues: Stucco moisture on townhouses, standard cosmetic maintenance
2000’s
Recession Era
2000 - 2009
Building Styles:
Neo-eclectic, modern heritage, eco-friendly builds
Open floor plans, attached garages, Craftsman/Farmhouse/Tudor influences
Benefits:
Energy-efficient, modern amenities
Large living areas
Smart layouts, secondary suites
Minimal legacy issues
Likely Framing:
Modern SPF lumber, 2×6 framing for energy efficiency
Common Building Materials:
Electrical:
Copper wiring, modern panels, 100–400A
Issues: Minimal; standard upkeep
Plumbing:
Copper and PEX supply, PVC drains
Issues: Minor cosmetic issues
Foundation:
Poured concrete, slab or crawlspace
Issues: Minor settling
Other:
Drywall, vinyl/fiberglass windows, high R-value insulation, asphalt or composite roofs
Issues: Roof membranes, solar/HRV system upkeep
2010’s
Efficiency Integrated
2010 - 2019
Building Styles:
Modern infill, net-zero prototypes, luxury houses
West Coast Contemporary: floor-to-ceiling windows, clean lines
Sleek industrial accents in townhomes/rowhouses
Benefits:
Ultra-efficient, modern designs
High comfort, warranties included
Minimal legacy issues
Energy-efficient and sustainable
Likely Framing:
SPF lumber, engineered wood, some structural insulated panels (SIPs)
Common Building Materials:
Electrical:
Copper wiring, 200–400A panels, smart wiring
Issues: Specialist maintenance for smart systems
Plumbing:
PEX and copper, PVC drains
Issues: Minor defects, settling
Foundation:
Poured concrete slab or basement
Issues: Minor settling, cosmetic cracking
Other:
Spray-foam insulation, triple-glazed windows, HRV, solar-ready systems
Issues: Requires modern system maintenance
2020’s
Smart Living
2020 - Current
Building Styles:
MPassive House infills, West Coast Contemporary, multi-generational homes
Industrial chic condos, sustainability & air quality focus
Benefits:
Ultra-efficient, automated, healthy living
Modern amenities and comfort
Minimal maintenance, no legacy issues
High-demand, desirable neighborhoods
Likely Framing:
Modern SPF, engineered wood, structural insulated panels, recycled materials
Common Building Materials:
Electrical:
Digital panels, smart circuits, whole-house surge protection
Issues: Verify warranties, specialist maintenance
Plumbing:
PEX, copper, greywater systems in some builds
Issues: Minor early defects or settlement
Foundation:
Poured concrete with advanced waterproofing
Issues: Verify permits, minor early settlement
Other:
Low-VOC finishes, vacuum-insulated windows, advanced HVAC, solar+battery systems
Issues: Specialist maintenance, warranty management