Architectural
Styles in Rensselaer County:
Second Empire Style:
1860s to 1880s
The Second Empire Style was borrowed directly from
France and is distinguished by its Mansard roof. The Mansard roofs
often rise a story high and many were originally covered with
slate tiles. Dormer windows of various shapes generally projected
from the curved skirt of the roof.
The Second Empire Style borrows heavily from the
Italianate Style. Brackets at the cornice line, hooded window
moldings, double doors are often found on Second Empire buildings.
Some earlier homes were updated with Mansard roofs.
Generally, the exterior of a Second Empire Style
home was covered with clapboards and edged with corner and sill
boards. Colors appropriate for these homes are the same earth
tomes used on Italianate buildings.
Look for:
[Broadway, Rensselaer]
|
Tall,
heavily ornamented buildings. The mansard roof is the distinguishing
feature of this style. |
[West Hall, RPI,Troy]
|
Other details are very similar
to those seen in Italianate style houses, but are heavier
and richer looking |
|
Mansard roof are in
several silhouettes. |
|
Cast iron cresting
on roof and dormers |
 
|
Windows are round-headed
and may have a keystone or may have hooded window moldings.
|
|
|
Photos by Lorraine E. Weiss; Drawings
by Andrea J.Becker
Next style: Queen
Anne
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