Tudor-style architecture looks like it was created from the pages of a romantic storybook, intertwining medieval charm with a quaint English country manor. While the design is reminiscent of the English Tudor period of 1485–1603, the style didn’t appear in the U.S. until the late 19th century.
In the early 1900s brick and stone were expensive building materials for the ordinary homeowner, so Tudor-style houses became a trademark for the wealthy. After World War II, construction of the traditional Tudor house declined as new, more modern style homes were introduced. Since then, we’ve seen many iterations of the Tudor home as people renovate and build homes inspired by this style.
What Makes a House a Tudor?
Among the most recognizable features of a Tudor-style house is the white or light-colored exterior with half-timber detailing. While these timbers were necessary in construction during the Middle Ages, these thin boards are solely for looks on modern Tudor homes.
The home style is well defined by its steeply pitched roof—often with multiple overlapping gables of different heights. The windows are tall and narrow and are grouped together, while the elaborate chimneys flank the home. The front door typically has a rounded arch at the top.
What are Great Siding Options for a Tudor?
Tudor-style homes were historically built with traditional wood siding and trim. To mimic the look of real wood with advanced durability, consider engineered wood siding.
For example, LP® SmartSide® Trim & Siding is an engineered wood option that achieves the look of traditional wood while offering protection to withstand impacts from hail, freeze/thaw cycles, fungal decay and termites. If you live in an area that experiences frequent inclement weather such as hail, LP SmartSide Trim & Siding can provide peace of mind with a 50-year prorated limited warranty.
Additionally, LP® SmartSide® ExpertFinish® Trim & Siding is a prefinished siding option offered in 16 versatile colors that complement the Tudor-style home. Here are some trending exterior house colors to spark ideas for your Tudor home:
For a more traditional Tudor-style home use neutral colors for the siding and trim, such as Desert Stone, creams or whites to complement the tones in the slate or other materials.
Emphasize unique design elements by selecting contrasting colors for the trim and the rest of the home. For example, many traditional Tudor-style homes feature brown half timbers against a white exterior.
For a more modern Tudor house, consider gray half timbers combined with white stone. Use copper gutters and accents in a weathered patina for a rustic touch.
To make a bold statement, bring in nontraditional colors such as sage and gray-green. For instance, if using LP SmartSide ExpertFinish Trim & Siding, choose deep, rich colors such as Rapids Blue and accent in the lighter Summit Blue.
LP SmartSide Trim & Siding also gives you the creative freedom to use various trim widths and styles to play up the architectural features of the Tudor home. For example, consider utilizing various trim widths to add depth to the decorative half timbers at the gables.
Use our home visualizer tool to experiment with colors, textures and more on a variety of architectural styles, including a Tudor. If your home is historic, be sure to read The Do’s and Don’ts of Re-Siding a Historic Home.
