Home Styles and Types in Ottawa

Have you been scrolling realtor.ca and wondered what the difference is between a split level, a townhouse, or a semi-detached home?

We’ve broken down some of the types of homes you can expect to see in Ottawa, and what those definitions mean.

Storey-and-a-half

This style has a deep-pitched roof and a clean, simple design. Dormers can be added to a pitched room to add windows or usable space on the upper level. 

Split Level

Also called a split entry, this home style typically has two short sets of stairs running up and down from the point of entry. It may, or may not, have living space at the entry

• Side Split: Side-split homes are homes which are structured on two levels: The main level usually has a living room/dining room/kitchen, with the bedrooms/main bathroom on a second level a few steps up.

• Back Split: The living/dining/kitchen areas are on the main level, with the bedrooms and main bathroom on a separate level a few steps up. As with side splits, there are usually two levels below grade.

Single-Level

Also referred to as a bungalow known for its long, low design with all or most living space on ground level. Many have a basement level which may be finished into an additional living space. A lower-level walk-out includes a door to the exterior. 

1.5 Storey Home

A one-and-a-half-storey home has a slanted roof which impacts the living space of the upstairs area. Most homes of this style feature a full living space downstairs, potentially with a bedroom, and then one or two rooms upstairs with slanted ceilings that align with the roof outside.

Two-Storey Home

A two-storey home has two full levels of living space. A traditional two-storey will have a ground level, with an often equal-sized floor directly above. Often you will find living space on the ground level, with the main suite and additional bedrooms on the second floor. There may also be a basement level. 

Condominium

An owned unit in a large property complex that consists of many individual units. Often has a fee that covers shared monthly expenses for the upkeep of the building and facilities.

Townhouse

An owned unit in a row of houses all attached to one another. Often has a condominium fee that covers shared monthly expenses for the upkeep of the exterior and shared facilities.

Semi-Detached

This home has two single-family dwellings that are separated by one common wall and have a mirror-image layout. Semi-detached homes typically have separate street addresses and can be owned by two different homeowners. Since outdoor maintenance is the responsibility of the homeowners, it is important to consider shared expenses that may need to be addressed such as house siding and windows as well as use and upkeep of common spaces such as the yard, landscape or a shared driveway. 

Duplex

A duplex is a home consisting of two separate dwellings that are either side by side or stacked on top of each other. They typically have identical layouts or are mirror images of each other. A duplex typically has one street address with unit numbers and one property owner.

Single Detached House

A single dwelling not attached to any other dwelling or structure (except its own garage or shed). A single-detached house has open space on all sides, and has no dwellings either above it or below it. A mobile home fixed permanently to a foundation is also classified as a single-detached house.

Semi-Detached House

One of two dwellings attached side by side (or back to back) to each other, but not attached to any other dwelling or structure (except its own garage or shed). A semi-detached dwelling has no dwellings either above it or below it, and the two units together have open space on all sides.

Row House

One of three or more dwellings joined side by side (or occasionally side to back), such as a townhouse or garden home, but not having any other dwellings either above or below. Townhouses attached to high-rise buildings are also classified as row houses.

Apartment or Flat in a Duplex

One of two dwellings, located one above the other, may or may not be attached to other dwellings or buildings.

Other Single Attached House

A single dwelling that is attached to another building and that does not fall into any of the other categories, such as a single dwelling attached to a non-residential structure (e.g., a store or a church) or occasionally to another residential structure (e.g., an apartment building).

Moveable Dwelling

Includes mobile homes and other movable dwellings such as houseboats and railroad cars.