2006-07-11 08:34:06 · 8 answers · asked by drus_illa 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
A split-level home is a style of house in which one half of the house is one story, and the other half of the house is two stories. The one story section typically contains a family room (also known as a living room), dining room, and kitchen. There are typically two small sets of stairs that attach the one story section of the house to the two story section. One set leads up, typically to bedrooms and a bathroom. The other set leads down to a large family room and basement area. Often, the basement level also includes the garage and is level with the driveway. The first floor is built halfway between the basement and second floor, with the second floor being above the basement. Alternately, both halves of the house may be two stories tall, with a basement beneath the "first story" section described above. Additions to the house are possible by adding a third floor above the first or expanding outward from any side.
A sidesplit is where the split level is visible from the front elevation of the home. A backsplit is where the split level is only visible from the side elevation. The front elevations shows only a single story and the two stories are in the back.
Advantages
The split-level home offers a convenient way to accommodate uneven property during construction. Since the main floor is about halfway above the basement, the house can be built into the side of a slope or soft hill, providing a very efficient use of space.
Moving throughout this type of home can be easier for people with disabilities, since less steps are required to go from the bedrooms to the rest of the house.
Disadvantages
Since the first floor and driveway are at uneven levels, stairs must be built to connect the entrance to the driveway, which can pose safety threats in icy conditions. Also, this type of house tends to include many stairs, which can be a problem for the elderly.
Famous split-level homes
The Keaton family home in the 1980s U.S. television sitcom Family Ties.
Regional Variance in Usage
In some regions, the term "split level" is used to refer to a bilevel house with a split entry. This is a two-story house that has a small entrance foyer with stairs that "split"—half a flight of stairs go up (usually to the living room, kitchen, and bedrooms) and half a flight of stairs go down (usually to a family room and garage/storage area).
2006-07-11 08:38:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
No the ones where you walk in the door and go up or down is technically called a split foyer or split entry!
Split level can also be any number of levels I attended a school once that was a split level commericial building having 5 floors in one wing and 4 floors in another wing none of the floors in either wing lined up with the floors in the opposing wing.
So instead of an average 13 to 14 stairs between floors there is usually 6 to 7 stairs between floors.
2006-07-11 09:03:37 · answer #2 · answered by jagerbombmeister 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We have a split-level. You walk in the front door and you can either go up 6 steps to the upper level or down 6 steps to the lower level. You either have to go up or down to get to the garage.
Nice houses, even though they aren't handicapped/elderly friendly. I've found that it's difficult to maintain a consistent temperature between the levels - unless you have zones all ready established. Our lower level is always colder by at least 6 degrees than the upper level.
2006-07-11 08:42:28 · answer #3 · answered by parsonsel 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
See links
2006-07-11 08:39:16 · answer #4 · answered by David D 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Split level or bi-level 3 different levels
When you enter the front door you have one level and stairs going up and going down to different levels.
It is the least popular house nowadays according tp % of new houses being built
2006-07-11 08:41:05 · answer #5 · answered by danzka2001 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Split level is two. You walk in the door and can go upa few stairs to a higher level....... or down a few to a lower level. These are not considered a full flight of stairs in either direction.
2006-07-11 08:38:24 · answer #6 · answered by iyamacog 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The houses are built on a slope creating different levels as they go up or down the slope.
2006-07-11 21:57:10 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
usually it has 3 "levels"... imagine a Y on it's side... 2 stacked levels and one centered on the side.
2006-07-11 08:40:21 · answer #8 · answered by silv2078 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋