There are many distinct features that make a Spanish-style Hacienda home so special. The Hacienda house originated in Spanish colonization of America when Spanish settlers built these types of homes to serve as plantations for farming and producing goods. Settlers mostly chose climates similar to that of Spain and Mexico. You will find many of these home types in the state of California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Florida.
Spanish colonial real estate ended in the mid-1800s, but hacienda homes have remained a major part of domestic architectural style across the country. Here is a list of distinguishing and cool characteristics that hacienda homes have.
Clay tile roofs
Perhaps the most recognizable characteristic of a hacienda-style home is the low pitch clay roof. The tiles on these roofs are most often handmade and shaped in a tube to give sort of a wavy-like texture to the roof. This type of roof helps to absorb and release heat throughout the day making it very great for hot climates. It keeps a home cooler and actually helps to keep it warmer in the few Hacienda-style homes that are built in areas that receive cold weather.
Adobe walls that are finished in bright white stucco
Nicely complementing the rich red tiles, is bright white stucco walls. Traditionally hacienda-style homes were made of thick adobe walls that were finished with white stucco. Adobe was readily available to the Spanish and sturdy, as well as long-lasting, making it a great and often used building option. These thick white walls are great for holding in cold air on sunny days or trapping in warm air on a cold night.
Hacienda homes often have a courtyard sometimes with a fountain
Many, but not all hacienda-style homes, feature a courtyard that brings grandeur and style to the outdoor space. Most often they are placed in spaces with plenty of privacy to enjoy the outdoors on your own terms. Traditionally a courtyard was actually placed in the center of the home to allow the homeowner to choose between cooking indoors or outdoors when the temperature was very high and somewhat unbearable. This open-air cooking helped to ensure that some of the heat produced from the cooking process would stay outside of the home on a hot day. Today courtyards in Hacienda-style homes can also be found to the side or the rear of the home.
Traditional homes feature smaller windows
Several modern and newly built Hacienda sale homes have large glass pane windows to let in plenty of natural daylight. Traditionally hacienda homes featured simple and small windows that had spindles. Living in a hot climate made for a more creative home construction process in earlier days. Small windows allowed just enough air in for a light breeze, but prevented direct sunlight from heating up the inside of the home.
Visually stunning archways
In several Hacienda-style homes, you will find curved archways, especially on the exterior of the home. This archway element is often used in outdoor hallways or courtyards and is a cornerstone of Mediterranean architecture. This is thought to be implemented to permanent openness and allow more natural light to flow through the area.
Exposed wood beams that have form and function
Exposed wood beams are not just a high style feature that are stunning to look at, but they also serve as wall and ceiling support in Hacienda-style homes. The heavy thick dark-colored beams help to add style to the simplicity of the stucco walls while helping to hold them up it makes a striking style appearance, adds warmth, and helps to bring a sturdy structure to the thick walls.
Hacienda homes are surprisingly energy efficient and very stylish, they make for a very great home choice.