Designs & Architectural StylesHome & Garden

It’s Not A Victorian Home Without A Turret (Tower)

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 tower or "turret" is very common in a Victorian style house.

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

Victorian architecture typically includes turret towers and dormer windows

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

this is a victorian style house under construction with an upwards look at the tower windows

Victorian style house with a turret

Victorian architecture requires a lot of bracing from 2x4's I love the victorian architecture of this house being built and especially at this stage where you see the framing

Victorian style house being built with a turret Another view of the victorian style home while the conical shaped peak is being framed

Victorian architecture usually includes a turret or tower somewhere in the home Victorian architecture from the inside. View from below

look at the victorian architecture from the inside, isn't it gorgeous?

 

Molding the Victorian Tower Exterior Into Shape

this victorian style home is really coming along quickly

Victorian style house with a nearly finished turret (tower) Victorian style house with a nearly finished turret - just waiting for paint.

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

The downstairs look at a turret in a Victorian style house Victorian architecture shown here where you can see the circular shape of the windows

Victorian architecture from the outside of the house Here's a beautiful victorian style house with a pressed metal tower panel

MDF trim was crucial for its versatility and clean lines in this victorian style house. This 3/4 radius crown molding is spot on in this victorian style house.

 

A Slate Roof For Durability and Classic Style

the victorian architecture and hands on work provided by these craftsman is really amazing Safety ropes for...well...um...safety while finishing the turret at this Victorian style house.

The finished turret turned out beautifully on this Victorian style house Victorian_turret_tower_April_20085.JPG

Victorian architecture at it's best. A beautiful turret (aka tower) look how beautiful this victorian style house looks with the turret being prepped for the metal roof.

this victorian architecture calls for a black metal roof putting the finishing touches on this victorian style house with a beautiful turret

Paint and Finishing Touches

interior ceiling view of this victorian style house

exterior view of the 1st level tower showing the pressed metal plate design of the victorian architecture here the paint has been applied on the turret here's a picture of turret tower in the little girl's room of this victorian style house

Victorian style house with the turret tower 2nd level girls room

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.