American And British Houses Essay, Research Paper

Modern American and British houses may appear similar from the outside,

just as an American may appear similar to an Englishman. One cannot judge

a house by its fa ade, however, and beneath the surface, two altogether

different design paradigms exist. The American house is a sprawling

retreat that is designed for comfortable living. Compact and efficient,

the British house embodies a conservative lifestyle. The two also differ

in the amenities they offer. The modern American house overflows with

built-in features; the modern British house is sparse in comparison.

They are even constructed with dissimilar materials and techniques.

Although modern American and British houses can appear similar, they

differ significantly in the amenities they offer, their size, and in the

way they are constructed.

The modern British house typically has fewer amenities than that of its

American counterpart. In the bedroom, walk-in closets organize the

American’s ensemble and accommodate his shoe collection. Conversely, the

Englishman uses a pine wardrobe, possibly a family heirloom, which moves

with him from home to home. In the American bathroom, a shower is a

standard feature that is quite uncommon in the British home. When one is

installed, the British shower is a point of significant difference as

well. The pressurized American shower is powerful, and leaves one with a

feeling of invigoration. The gravity fed British shower, however, is

hardly capable of developing enough power to leave one with a feeling of

satisfaction. In the modern American kitchen, one is certain to find a

dishwasher. In the British kitchen, a dishwasher is the exception, not

the rule. Americans also consider most kitchen appliances to be a part of

the house. The Englishman holds a different view. It is not unusual for

him to take the stove, refrigerator, or even the kitchen cupboards when

moving to a new home. The modern British house lacks many amenities that

Americans consider basic. It also offers less living space than the modern

American house. The grand American house is designed for comfort, whereas the

conservative British house is designed for efficiency. These contrasting

design approaches yield houses that differ immensely in the amount of

living space they offer. American houses have “mud” rooms, laundry rooms,

dining rooms, formal living rooms, and family rooms. British houses

converge and integrate these functional areas into their common rooms.

The hall, or the “reception,” is the “mud room.” The kitchen is the

laundry room and the dining area. The formal living room and family room

combine in the appropriately named “lounge.” The average bedroom of an

American home can usually accommodate a king-sized bed. In comparison, a

British bedroom can be termed a “double bedroom” if a double bed can be

squeezed in, even if there is no room to move around it. The American

living room is sometimes referred to as the “great room” and, on average,

consumes over 300 square feet. A large British “lounge,” in comparison,

can measure a mere 150 square feet. Additionally, the American garage

usually has enough room for two cars and space for a workbench. Before

entering the typical single car British garage, however, it is necessary

to let the passengers out first. When compared to its British

counterpart, the American home is larger, and behind the fa ade it is also

constructed differently.

Although British and American houses can appear similar, beneath

the outer shell they are constructed with dissimilar techniques and

materials. Lumber, siding, and drywall comprise the bulk of American home

construction materials, while British home construction requires cinder

block, brick, and plaster. The modern American house is commonly framed

with wood and nails, while the British house is structured with cinder

block and mortar. Although usually covered with siding, some American

homes do have a brick veneer exterior. Alternately, the brick fa ade of a

British house is probably solid. Inside the home, American carpenters

quickly cover interior walls with drywall. The patient English tradesman

gradually forms the interior walls with successive layers of plaster.

American and English roofing materials differ as well. The roof of the

American home is typically weatherproofed with shingles, while kiln-fired

terra-cotta tiles shelter the British roof.

American and British houses can be similar in appearance, but a

comparison of the two will reveal notable differences. Although material

availability and differing economies certainly affect house design, it is

the culture itself that has the greatest impact. America is said to be

one of the most demanding countries in the world, and this notion is

reinforced in their expansive, amenity rich homes. The English are

regarded as conservative and polite; their homes are compact and

efficient. Modern American and British house construction is a direct

reflection of the people who design them. Although they may look similar,

they are nothing alike when you get to know them.