A Victorian-style turret, or tower, is probably the most prominent homebuilding feature that most people picture in their minds when they think Victorian architecture.
They may not necessarily know what it’s called…for instance, they may say… “that really cool looking round tower thingy”, but a turret, or tower, is what likely comes to mind.
The Victorian home that I watched Bonner Custom Homes construct over a 16 month period has some very happy homeowners living in it right now. The Bonner team always does it full-blown.
This post will show interior and exterior photos of a Victorian turret (tower) during different phases of construction.
Constructing a wooden frame turret tower with true circular walls is very complicated. If you don’t believe me, take a close look at some of the framing photos of the home shown below.
This particular home has just that, truly circular exterior walls, and you’ll get an insider’s view from the photos contained within this post.
Today is your lucky day!
Framing A Victorian Tower
Molding the Victorian Tower Exterior Into Shape
Technically, the home I’m showing here has a tower rather than a turret. What?? Why? This quotation explains it best:
By stacking a turret over another room, you get twice as much dramatically beautiful space without doubling your building costs. Building from the ground up is easier than extending a room out from the side of a house, and the stacked approach means you can get by with a single roof. There’s just one catch: If you’re a purist, you can’t call it a turret any more. When a turret touches the ground, it technically becomes a tower. Source
Moulding & Trim
A Slate Roof For Durability and Classic Style
Paint and Finishing Touches
Ok…so the 2nd level bedroom with the tower is cotton candy pink. What can I say?! The owner is a loving grandmother (and grandfather) that wants a dream bedroom for their granddaughters to stay in when they come over for a spend the night.
I’m sure there are huge smiles all around when they come to visit. And why wouldn’t they?
Even More About Victorian Architecture & Turret Towers
Interested in seeing and learning more about this Victorian home? View the This Old House gallery of turret towers.
Here’s what Tom Silva of ‘This Old House’ has to say about curved gutters.
I started as a home-stalker… visiting brand new homes under construction in the neighborhoods near my house. That inspired me to write about home building and home renovation projects — chronicling homes during different phases of construction from a consumer's point-of-view. Basically, the tips you'll find in my articles are a collection of checklists for what I think should (and should not) go into building or remodeling a quality home.
