Love the charm of Chevy Chase but not sure which house style fits your life? With tree‑lined streets and homes dating from the early 1900s through the mid‑century years, options can blur together on tour. This guide explains the four styles you will see most in Chevy Chase, how they tend to live, what to look for, and how to align each with your goals. Let’s dive in.
Chevy Chase home styles at a glance
Chevy Chase grew as one of Washington, DC’s first commuter suburbs, so you will find established neighborhoods like Chevy Chase Village, Section 3, and North Chevy Chase with mature lots and classic setbacks. Most single‑family homes sit on basements or crawlspaces, and many basements are finished for extra living space. Garages may be detached or attached, and some were added later.
Across these neighborhoods, four styles dominate buyer tours: Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival, Craftsman bungalow, and mid‑century ranch or split‑level. Each offers a distinct look, floor plan, and renovation path.
Colonial Revival essentials
What you’ll notice outside
Colonials often present a symmetrical front, a centered entry, and balanced windows with shutters. Expect double‑hung windows, brick or clapboard siding, and a side‑gabled or hipped roof. Entry porticos are common and porches are usually modest.
How it lives inside
A classic center‑hall plan places formal living and dining rooms on either side of the entry with the kitchen to the rear. Bedrooms sit upstairs, sometimes with only one original full bath that owners expanded over time. Fireplaces and higher main‑level ceilings are common in older examples.
Renovation potential
Opening parts of the first floor is often feasible when you plan for structural support. Rear additions are a frequent strategy because they keep the formal façade intact. Attic conversions and dormers can add upstairs space where the roof geometry allows.
Maintenance to watch
Original wood windows, trim, and older brick mortar benefit from regular care. Older electrical panels or knob‑and‑tube wiring can appear in pre‑1950s homes. Flashing and masonry around chimneys deserve attention.
Best fit buyers
You will likely love a Colonial if you want classic proportions, some room separation for entertaining, and bedrooms upstairs.
Tudor Revival character
What you’ll notice outside
Tudors feature steep gables, cross gables, and asymmetrical facades with brick, stone, or stucco walls. Decorative half‑timbering, tall narrow windows, and arched entries add storybook charm. Chimneys often serve as visual anchors.
How it lives inside
Rooms follow the exterior massing, which creates cozy spaces and interesting nooks. You may see smaller rooms, multiple wings, and built‑in cabinetry or millwork. Ceiling heights can vary by wing.
Renovation potential
Complex rooflines and intersecting structures make additions and roof work more technical and often more costly. Dormers can help upstairs space, but design sensitivity is key. Preserving stucco and half‑timber details guides envelope changes.
Maintenance to watch
Stucco needs proper flashing to resist moisture. Slate or complex roof systems cost more to maintain. Chimneys and masonry often require inspection and tuckpointing.
Best fit buyers
You may prefer a Tudor if you prioritize historic character and unique interiors more than a simplified open plan.
Craftsman bungalow charm
What you’ll notice outside
Bungalows show low‑pitched gabled roofs with broad eaves and exposed rafter tails. Expect front porches with tapered columns set on brick or stone piers, plus wood clapboard or shingle siding. Windows often feature multi‑pane uppers over single panes.
How it lives inside
Layouts are compact and efficient, often with living and dining in easy flow. You will see built‑ins, wood trim, and a fireplace as a focal point. Bedrooms tend to be modest and original bathrooms smaller by modern standards.
Renovation potential
Creating an open main level is often manageable with the right beam strategy. Dormers can expand a half‑story. Preserving the porch maintains curb appeal and daylight, while enclosing it changes the feel and light.
Maintenance to watch
Wood siding and trim need periodic painting and rot repair. Porches and foundations may require reinforcement if altered. Expect common electrical and plumbing updates, and test for lead paint in pre‑1978 homes.
Best fit buyers
Choose a Craftsman if you want porch living, warm details, and a human‑scale home in a walkable setting.
Mid‑century ranch and split‑level
What you’ll notice outside
Mid‑century homes emphasize horizontal lines, low‑pitched roofs, and wide eaves. Look for larger windows, sliding doors, and attached garages. Materials often include brick veneer and wood siding with simple ornamentation.
How it lives inside
These homes tend to offer single‑level or split‑level living with semi‑open flow from living to dining and kitchen. Bedrooms group to one side, and the basement or lower level adds flexible space. Kitchens in earlier ranches can be compact and ready for expansion.
Renovation potential
Single‑story rear or side additions are straightforward and rooflines are easier to match. Large windows and single‑level living appeal to buyers planning for accessibility, though energy upgrades are common. Basements usually have regular foundations that finish well.
Maintenance to watch
Low‑slope roofing may need upgrades. Original single‑pane windows and limited insulation can impact energy performance. Plumbing and electrical modernization is routine in older examples.
Best fit buyers
Pick mid‑century if you value modern simplicity, indoor‑outdoor flow, and easy main‑level living.
On‑tour checklist: what to note
Use this quick list to make each showing more productive.
Exterior
- Roof: material, pitch, number of layers, any sagging, and flashing at chimneys and valleys.
- Foundation and grade: cracks, moisture stains, and downspouts that move water away from the foundation.
- Walls and siding: condition of brick, stucco, clapboard, shingles, and any half‑timber elements.
- Windows and doors: original wood or replacements, operation and condition, presence of storm windows.
- Porch and entry: column stability, floor sagging, railings, and overall structure.
- Chimneys: cracks, lean, missing mortar, and caps.
- Lot: slope, large tree roots near the foundation, drainage, and sun orientation of key rooms.
Interior
- Floor plan flow: center hall or open plan, door widths, and sightlines from kitchen to living areas.
- Ceilings and finishes: height, crown molding, and built‑ins.
- Floors: sagging, sloping, or creaks that can signal joist issues.
- Mechanical systems: age and location of furnace, boiler, water heater, electrical panel capacity, and visible wiring type.
- Basements and crawlspaces: stains, efflorescence, standing water, insulation, ductwork, and sump pump.
- Kitchens and baths: original layout versus remodels, and visible plumbing materials.
- Additions: changes in floor level, mismatched trim, or ceiling transitions that hint at past work.
Know the terms
Gable, hip, dormer, eave, cornice, portico, bay window, casement window, double‑hung window, clapboard, shingle, half‑timbering, stucco, hearth, center‑hall, parlor, service stair, built‑in.
Renovation and permits in Chevy Chase
Many Chevy Chase homes predate modern building systems, so plan for due diligence. Opening first‑floor spaces often means addressing load‑bearing walls with engineered beams and a structural review. Stone foundations or older poured concrete can show settling, mortar wear, or moisture entry, so budget for waterproofing if needed.
Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC upgrades are common. You may encounter galvanized or cast‑iron plumbing, older electrical service that benefits from a 200‑amp upgrade, and minimal original insulation. Lead paint in pre‑1978 homes and possible asbestos in older materials require proper testing and abatement if renovation is planned.
Permits are required in Montgomery County for structural changes, major systems work, and additions. If a property lies within a historic district or has a local preservation overlay, exterior changes may need additional review. Always verify prior permits and approvals through the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services and, where applicable, local municipal offices such as Chevy Chase Village.
Match style to your lifestyle
- Formal entertaining and classic symmetry: Colonial Revival.
- Distinctive character and cozy rooms: Tudor Revival.
- Porch life and warm craftsmanship: Craftsman bungalow.
- Single‑level living and indoor‑outdoor flow: mid‑century ranch or split‑level.
Practical tour tips:
- Bring a tape measure and the checklist above. Measure kitchen dimensions and key doorways if accessibility matters to you.
- Ask for the build year, major renovations, and permit history, then confirm in county records.
- Photograph roof intersections, basement areas, and mechanical rooms so you can review later with an inspector or contractor.
- If you prefer open plans, prioritize mid‑century ranches or Colonials with rear addition potential. Tudors can open up, but require more design and structural planning.
- If you love historic windows, trim, and built‑ins, budget for careful restoration as a separate line item.
Ready to tour Chevy Chase with a clear style strategy and a focus on value? Reach out to schedule a conversation with Betsy Schuman Dodek for personalized guidance and a calm, concierge approach to your search.
FAQs
What home styles are most common in Chevy Chase?
- Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival, Craftsman bungalows, and mid‑century ranch or split‑level homes appear most often on buyer tours.
How old are Chevy Chase homes, generally?
- Many single‑family homes were built from the early 1900s through the mid‑20th century, reflecting Chevy Chase’s growth as an early commuter suburb.
Are basements common in Chevy Chase?
- Yes, basements are common and are often finished to add living space, although some homes have crawlspaces instead.
What renovations are typical for older Chevy Chase homes?
- Popular projects include opening parts of the first floor, modernizing kitchens and systems, finishing basements, and adding rear additions or dormers while keeping historic character.
Do I need permits for additions or exterior changes?
- In Montgomery County, major structural, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and addition work generally requires permits, and homes in historic districts may need extra design review.
Which style is best for single‑level living?
- Mid‑century ranch homes typically offer the easiest single‑level living and straightforward addition options.
What should I look for on a home tour?
- Focus on roof and masonry condition, drainage, window type and function, floor plan flow, mechanical systems age and capacity, and signs of moisture in basements.
