What would you consider a "contemporary" house? (floor plans, vinyl, windows)

[spicymeatball]

I notice new homes in America and Canada tend to have a "plastic" look to them like a Barbie dreamhouse - noticed this since at least the late 90s, but I would imagine it probably began earlier than that in some places?

I tend to think of a "normal" house as being built in the 50s, 60s or 70s and a "newer" home as being built in the past 20 or 30 years.

[silibran]

Where I grew up the newer homes are almost always more traditional seeming. That is, they incorporate traditional elements in their lines. It is not unusual to find a center hall colonial being built today.

So, I am not sure what your question is asking. Newer homes with vinyl siding certainly do look plastic. At least they do to me.

Just because you think of older homes as "normal" doesn't make newer homes abnormal. I like many of the newer homes, and consider them desirable, as well as normal for their time.

I lived in a home for 26 years that was built in 1979. My current home was built in 2002. I much prefer this home to the previous. The windows are better, for one thing. And they are larger. And the finishes inside are better too.

A lot depends on price point too. Surely you would prefer a new $350,000 home to an older $ 150,000 home?

[nybbler]

Vinyl siding is plastic.
Then again, acrylic paint is plastic too.

[ocngypz]

I suppose it depends where these homes are being built.

We've been building pretty much the same shingled colonials and capes for hundreds of years in New England. Just the floor plans and finishes have changed.

There are some 70-80's era "contemporaries" - but they are very difficult sells........and then the high ranches/splits of the 50's-60's..........are just as tough.

There are a couple "late model" contemporaries for sale along the beach areas.............mega millions.........and they just sit on the market.. despite their fancy "pedigree" designers.