British Houses Vs America Houses
#106
Re: British Houses Vs America Houses
The last house I owned in England was built in 1850. According to the survey performed when I bought the place in 2000, it had the original slate roof, although the survey did say the roof was approaching the end of its serviceable life. It still had the same roof on when I sold the place in 2007.
I've got a toploading washing machine here and it works just fine.
Here in South Louisiana we are extremely likely to be in the track of a hurricane. The houses here are all timber construction, usually with stucco or wooden siding. A lot of modern houses have a combination siding and brick veneer (as in bricks that perform no structural purpose). There are lots of beam-and-pier construction houses, but all the modern places are on a slab. There is a preponderance of single-storey houses with just a few two-storey.
I've got a toploading washing machine here and it works just fine.
Here in South Louisiana we are extremely likely to be in the track of a hurricane. The houses here are all timber construction, usually with stucco or wooden siding. A lot of modern houses have a combination siding and brick veneer (as in bricks that perform no structural purpose). There are lots of beam-and-pier construction houses, but all the modern places are on a slab. There is a preponderance of single-storey houses with just a few two-storey.
#108
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 302
Re: British Houses Vs America Houses
Heck even I don't understand why a family of 4 needs a 500 sf refrigerator. And they're always full to the brim!
The central heat, it does come in handy when it hits -15 f The gas radiators in all the old fireplaces in my grandmothers house in the Headlands were very comfortable though, it's nice to have a point source when you're chilled.
I like the idea of a milkman. And a few have mentioned a clothesline, it drives me nuts, about the best thing you can do to save energy is a line vs a clothes dryer and Americans just won't do it.
When I drink an occasional cup of tea I boil it on the stovetop, but it sure takes longer than those electric pots you folks use!
Multiple switches are used to either confuse homeowners, or to slow them down and have less heart attacks
I agree, I hate them. It was a couple years ago I read that so maybe there was a popular outcry.
Pete
The central heat, it does come in handy when it hits -15 f The gas radiators in all the old fireplaces in my grandmothers house in the Headlands were very comfortable though, it's nice to have a point source when you're chilled.
I like the idea of a milkman. And a few have mentioned a clothesline, it drives me nuts, about the best thing you can do to save energy is a line vs a clothes dryer and Americans just won't do it.
When I drink an occasional cup of tea I boil it on the stovetop, but it sure takes longer than those electric pots you folks use!
Multiple switches are used to either confuse homeowners, or to slow them down and have less heart attacks
I agree, I hate them. It was a couple years ago I read that so maybe there was a popular outcry.
Pete
I think it's nice to have a dryer available either at home or a close by laundromat for use during bad weather. That said I know large families with 14+ people that get by without a dryer.
Some families have an extra fridge or two in the garage. It's not uncommon to keep a chest style freezer in there.
#109
Re: British Houses Vs America Houses
Many HOA and apt complexes do not allow clotheslines. It is silly to me that people are prohibited from hanging clothes outside in 90 degree weather.
I think it's nice to have a dryer available either at home or a close by laundromat for use during bad weather. That said I know large families with 14+ people that get by without a dryer.
Some families have an extra fridge or two in the garage. It's not uncommon to keep a chest style freezer in there.
I think it's nice to have a dryer available either at home or a close by laundromat for use during bad weather. That said I know large families with 14+ people that get by without a dryer.
Some families have an extra fridge or two in the garage. It's not uncommon to keep a chest style freezer in there.
#110
Rootbeeraholic
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Houston, Tx
Posts: 2,280
Re: British Houses Vs America Houses
We did have a spare fridge in our laundry room (another difference - you don't get laundry rooms in the UK very often) but we gave it to my BIL. Do have a beverage centre upstairs though.
I must admit I love American houses. It's fantastic to have so much room.
#112
Rootbeeraholic
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Houston, Tx
Posts: 2,280
Re: British Houses Vs America Houses
Well I mean you could put anything in it, but in essence yes, and with a glass door. They can get stupidly expensive and I'd given up and was just going to put in a fridge, but managed to find one that actually cools, looks good and wasn't much more than a standard fridge would have been.
#113
Re: British Houses Vs America Houses
Every garage needs an old fridge with the door drilled for a tap
Pete
Pete
#115
Rootbeeraholic
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Houston, Tx
Posts: 2,280
Re: British Houses Vs America Houses
Ours is the beverage center variety. The wine coolers are great for wine (funny that) but don't really go cool enough for my taste for beer/soda. And since my priorities are beer and soda that's what I got!
Maybe in the future I'll put a wine cooler in too, when I get to convert the game room from a play room to a game room (many many years away!)
Another plus for American houses - man (or woman!) caves! There's not enough room in UK houses to dedicate a whole room to just one thing normally, but it seems the norm here. Gotta love it.
Maybe in the future I'll put a wine cooler in too, when I get to convert the game room from a play room to a game room (many many years away!)
Another plus for American houses - man (or woman!) caves! There's not enough room in UK houses to dedicate a whole room to just one thing normally, but it seems the norm here. Gotta love it.
#116
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Joined: May 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 562
Re: British Houses Vs America Houses
So, by that definition, does that mean that if there is a closet = bedroom? If so that must mean that my bedroom isn't really my bedroom, but my bathroom is my bedroom. Strange.
#117
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Joined: May 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 562
Re: British Houses Vs America Houses
Of the three buildings I have lived in out here (1 flat, 2 houses) both houses had wall switches that controlled a socket in at least one room (if it wasn't hooked up to a ceiling fan, that is). Sometimes seemingly arbitrarily assigned, I'll grant, but we still had 'em. We even have a few switches in our current gaff that aren't connected to anything. Either that or I'm always switching off our carbon monoxide detector when I hit the wrong switch for the hallway lights!
#118
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
#119
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Joined: May 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 562
Re: British Houses Vs America Houses
Mine is done in 15mins too. oh and you have to remember to add the softener at the right time - which I always miss.
Last edited by Holliver; Aug 8th 2012 at 4:54 am.