What is a 1.5 Storey House?

A one-and-a-half storey house, or 1.5-storey house is a detached home that has a second floor that is about half the size of the main floor, but is off to one side. This style could also simply be called a “half storey house”.

Real Estate Agent Explains 1.5 Storeys

1.5-storey houses are not the same as semi-bungalows, although it is easy to mix them up. The difference here is that 1.5-storey houses do no have a second floor in the attic, but have a true second floor, it’s just not as large as the main floor.

1.5 storey or one-and-a-half-storey house example

An example of a 1.5-storey house with an attached side garage in Crestwood, Edmonton

See how in the above photo that the second storey is not as large as the main floor? But also, it is not sitting inside the peak of the roof as it would in a semi-bungalow, rather it has its own exterior. This is a perfect example of a 1.5-storey house.

Diagram of a 1.5 storey house

Why Does It Matter?

A 1.5-storey house is not a bungalow, not a semi-bungalow and not a 2-storey house. Why does that matter? Well, these distinctions let us know how the home is laid out. You might end up comparing many homes that are the exact same size, different formats affect how you live, enjoy or maintain your home. 1.5-storey homes have a smaller upstairs area than a 2-storey with the same footprint. That can mean smaller bedrooms, no ensuite bathroom, or smaller closets. But it can also mean a very large living room and kitchen. All layouts are different, but these formats or styles help us understand what the limitations of the home are.

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What is a 1.5 Storey House? | Real Estate Definition