A townhouse is a house that develops on two or more floors, characterized by an independent entrance. Normally, it is a single-family property with large sizes and embellished with large outdoor spaces. The townhouse is one very widespread housing typology in Italy, characterized above all in some regions of our country. Let’s see his characteristicsWhich ones are they constraints and renovation works more frequent to carry out, some design examples of the different types of terraced houses and, finally, whether buying a terraced house can be a convenient investment or not.
What is a terraced house? The structural characteristics
Often the terraced house, a type of single-family dwelling, is located in the historic villages, positioned in some delightful corners, and has certain structural characteristics. Let’s see below what a terraced house is and what its peculiarities are more specifically.
- Distributions on multiple floors: the fundamental characteristic of a terraced house is that it extends vertically; therefore, its division is on two or more floors with different overlapping living levels.
- Independent entrance: each townhouse has an independent entrance on the ground floor. This allows all inhabitants more privacy and autonomy.
- Large sizes: the terraced houses are made up of large sizes; perfect for large families or for those who need very large spaces;
- Suitable to accommodate multiple families: since you have several floors and large spaces, it is possible to separate the homes independently.
- Gardens and green spaces: frequently, terraced houses have external places available such as large gardens, green spaces or courtyards.
Type of townhouse
In architecture they exist different types of terraced houses. Below is a detailed list.
- Minimalist townhouse: this type of housing is characterized by the simplicity and essentiality of the design. The white walls, the large interiors and the use of materials such as glass and steel create a minimal atmosphere.
- Modern urban townhouse: a townhouse located in an urban area could have a modern design, with essential lines, with large windows and a terrace with a panoramic view.
- Ecological townhouse: ecological townhouses are made to maximize energy efficiency and be sustainable homes. Ecological insulation, rainwater collection systems and solar panels are just some of the qualities of an ecological house.
- Restored historic townhouse: this typology may imply the recovery of original architectural elements and the conservation of traditional interiors.
The renovation of a terraced house: the constraints
If you want to renovate a terraced house, that’s fine check immediately if they are present on the property historical, landscape or cultural constraints. As they are in fact a particular type of traditional Italian building, they can occur limits to the interventions to be carried out. Whether or not these conditions exist, Administrative procedures will also change to be followed for the renovation of the terraced house.
What renovation work needs to be done most frequently
THE more frequent jobs to be carried out, if it is not necessary to intervene with structural works, are:
- painting of the internal and external rooms;
- brought up to standard of all installations;
- construction of toiletswhen not present;
- renovation of toilets when existing;
- replacement of floors and walls.
Multi-family townhouse
As already specified, among the most advantageous features of this type of property is the independent entrance and the spacious rooms, and this is why the townhouse is characterized by the ability to accommodate multiple families. The multi-storey structure, together with the extended spaces, allows for separation of homes so that they can obtain two independent residences.
The pros and cons of terraced houses
Terraced houses are admired for their architectural beauty but let’s see in detail what are the advantages and disadvantages that concern this type of home.
Pro:
- vertical structure: it gives a particular aesthetic, it can be very appreciated for those who are looking for a particular and certainly out of the ordinary home;
- independence: the independent entrance on the ground floor grants more privacy and autonomy, this privacy is also extended to the external spaces;
- no condominium restrictions: Individuals who live there have no concerns about decisions or restrictions ordered by a condominium community.
Against:
- lack of elevators: terraced buildings often do not have them and you have to use stairs to access the different floors;
- less security: a detached house is more isolated and therefore more vulnerable to theft;
- maintenance entirely borne by the inhabitant of the terraced house: any maintenance work, ordinary or extraordinary, cannot be delegated.
What is the difference between townhouse and house?
Due to its characteristics, the townhouse could be mistakenly mistaken for the house but there are substantial differences. In fact, with the term chaleta building is identified which develops mainly horizontally. This type of housing is most often composed of a single floor, two at most.
Are terraced house or townhouse synonymous?
The term terraced house, also called cieloterra, is defined as such because it goes “from the ground to the roof”. This terminology may be unfamiliar to many, as townhouses are a typical building typology of country houses: the old ones rural homes built to accommodate agricultural and artisan families, so their structure developed vertically optimize land use available.
Is buying a house worth it? Advantages and disadvantages
Buying a house for residential use is an investment to be carefully evaluated. These are historic buildings that most of the time require numerous renovation works. On the contrary, you could buy a house and convert it into a B&Bso as to be able to restore value to a historic building, deriving from it of the profits.
