split level - InspectionNews

John Dirks Jr · #1 (**permalink**) 09-04-2008, 02:11 PM

I'm just curious about this but when did the split level home design first show up on the scene? I'm doing one tomorrow and it's said to be built in 1965. I didn't think they were around that early.

Rick Hurst · #2 (**permalink**) 09-04-2008, 02:36 PM

Split level homes most started back in the 1950's and 60's. Some are even older.

Most common problems I've seen is:

Stair problems
Improper grading
Uneven heating / cooling
Outdated equipment
Electrical Service equipment problems

Just to name a few.

rick

Brandon Whitmore · #3 (**permalink**) 09-04-2008, 02:38 PM

50's according to this article

An American Vernacular: The What, How & Why of Bi-level and Split-level homes

Jack Feldmann · #4 (**permalink**) 09-04-2008, 03:28 PM

We have tons of split foyer homes that were built in the 70's and 80's. Odd design.

Ted Menelly · #5 (**permalink**) 09-04-2008, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Feldmann

We have tons of split foyer homes that were built in the 70's and 80's. Odd design.

Split foyer as in raised ranch?

By level and tri level have been around a long time. Those along with raised ranches and bilevels or side to side split level and trilevels were very popular in the 60's and earlier 70's in Mass.

John Dirks Jr · #6 (**permalink**) 09-05-2008, 08:36 AM

Thanks for the info. I didn't realize they were around that early

Jack Feldmann · #7 (**permalink**) 09-07-2008, 12:25 PM

Split foyer:
You walk in the front door and there is a landing, maybe 5'x6' with a short stair going up on the right, and a short stair going down on the left.

So it's really a 2 story house (bottom level is usually a walk out basement) and the garage is a part of the bottom level.

Downstairs is usually a 2 car garage, laundry room/1/2 bath, and then there is either one big room (sometimes a fireplace), or a bedroom and a family room/den. Upstairs is the normal 3/2.5, kitchen, dining room, living room.
Here's a couple photos of one........

Mike Schulz · #8 (**permalink**) 09-10-2008, 05:19 PM

Split levels I see would be you walk into the front door with stairs going up and down. The section of the upper is on a dirt crawl space and of course the lower is slab. You go through a scuttle hole on the lower section to get under the upper floor crawl space. Sort of like a half basement.

Ted Menelly · #9 (**permalink**) 09-10-2008, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Feldmann

Split foyer:
You walk in the front door and there is a landing, maybe 5'x6' with a short stair going up on the right, and a short stair going down on the left.

So it's really a 2 story house (bottom level is usually a walk out basement) and the garage is a part of the bottom level.

Downstairs is usually a 2 car garage, laundry room/1/2 bath, and then there is either one big room (sometimes a fireplace), or a bedroom and a family room/den. Upstairs is the normal 3/2.5, kitchen, dining room, living room.
Here's a couple photos of one........

That is a raised ranch Jack. They started in the mid to late 60'o maybe early 70's

Brandon Chew · #10 (**permalink**) 09-11-2008, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ted Menelly

That is a raised ranch Jack. They started in the mid to late 60'o maybe early 70's

Around here, we also call those a raised ranch. Could be a Northeast thing ...

Sal Castro · #11 (**permalink**) 09-12-2008, 08:59 AM

Here on Long Island they call them "High Ranches".
I find many with foundation waterproofing seepage causing problems at the bottom of the finished wall of the lower level where it is below grade.

Darren Miller · #12 (**permalink**) 09-12-2008, 12:29 PM

In New Jersey we call them Bi-levels

Joe Klampfer · #13 (**permalink**) 09-12-2008, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darren Miller

In New Jersey we call them Bi-levels

You're right - That one is a bi-level... a split-level looks more like...

Ted Menelly · #14 (**permalink**) 09-12-2008, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Klampfer

You're right - That one is a bi-level... a split-level looks more like...

Now that picture is a tri-level or is it a qud level???