It made for quick and less-expensive construction, but one significant problem with balloon framing was its fire hazard potential. If the home caught fire, wall cavities extending from the foundation to the roof structure acted as an open path for it to spread quickly, similar to a chimney stack straight up to upstairs bedrooms.
Balloon framing structures can be made to be fire safe, but it is a big project. Inspectors will want to make sure you do the fire stopping and solid blocking.
While many admire the original structure of a saltbox home, buyers often opt to add additional storage space or structures to it. She notes that one common way people renovate a saltbox is with the addition of a shed dormer , which is an easier renovation, but can remove the distinct charm of a saltbox home. Modernists and traditionalists like the saltbox design for its history and for its sleek, angular lines.
Many older saltbox homes have been reworked by design firms to preserve the traditional exterior, but include more contemporary interiors and modern features. Kevin Latady, principal at Latady Designs, LLC , who specializes in the renovation of older and historic homes, renovated and expanded a s saltbox home. The renovations included adding a dormer addition in the back, remodeling the kitchen to create a space for cooking and entertaining, and converting a second floor storage area into a reading nook for children.
With so much history ingrained in saltbox homes, designers also try to preserve materials from the original structures as best they can when completing renovations. Original building materials may get dismantled, but they are often repurposed. I want to keep it as part of the spirit of the home by repurposing it. Whether you want to keep the original design or personalize and renovate, there is something everyone can appreciate about the historic saltbox home.
The homes and surrounding property dating back to now belongs to the National Park Service. While most original Saltbox houses were built with wood, the Josiah Day House in West Springfield, Massachusetts, is said to be the oldest Saltbox-style home in the United States made from brick. Now a museum open to the public for guided tours, it is a National Historic site registered with the Massachusetts Historic Commission.
Originally the home of Rev. Today, the home belongs to the town of Sandwich and has been restored to its original condition. The Saltbox style is so ingrained in the American popular imagination that it continues to inspire modern architects and designers. Today, elements of Saltbox architecture—notably the signature roofline—live on in a modern revival of the classic style in everything from homes to backyard studios and garages.
So why do they call it a Saltbox house? The catchy term was inspired by the silhouette of the small covered wooden salt storage boxes that were a staple of Colonial kitchens.
Hung on walls near the stove or sink, the boxes had slanted roofs that opened on a hinge to allow you to reach in and grab a pinch of salt, and resemble dollhouse versions of Saltbox homes. The shape of the dramatic catslide roofs that visually define the Saltbox house silhouette is known to help prevent excess snow from accumulating during harsh New England winters. By Tim Latterner July 15, Save Pin More. Typical suburban saltbox colonial house. Comments Add Comment. Back to story Comment on this project.
Tell us what you think If you've never heard of a biscuit box, you're not alone. Jerry Dick with the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador says it's a common mistake, but one they're trying to correct.
Commonly built between and , these houses would have two stories in the front but one in the back, giving it an uneven roof that was steeper one side.
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