What does ‘terraced house’ mean?

When searching for a new home, it’s important to understand the different types of properties available within your budget. Depending on your lifestyle, you may want to narrow your criteria to include or exclude terraced housing. But what does ‘terraced house’ mean, and what are the pros and cons of owning this kind of property? Check out the frequently asked questions below to find the answers you need.

What defines a terraced house?

Terraced homes share both side walls with neighbouring properties, forming a row of houses that extend along a residential street. They are particularly popular in urban environments, where space comes at a premium.

Back-to-back terraced houses were built mainly during the Industrial Revolution. Connecting to a third neighbouring property to the rear, they only have windows to the front elevation. This type of housing is now rare in the UK, with Leeds the only city to retain modernised back-to-backs in large numbers.

What does a terraced house look like?

Due to their nature, terraced homes are pretty easy to spot. Usually, they are two or three storeys high with a duo pitch gable roof and a small front patio. Certain architectural elements can help you distinguish the age of a terraced home. For example, a Victorian London terraced property may feature paired front doors, decorative bay windows, stone lintels and a tiled front pathway.

Inside, you’ll often find a layout two to three rooms deep, sometimes including a cellar and an attic. Traditionally, the front room or parlour would have been for receiving guests, with the back rooms reserved as a private living area. Extended terraced houses with a more contemporary layout may include open-plan rooms and a rear kitchen backing onto a garden. With many homes like this dating back to pre-Victorian times, you’ll often find preserved original features such as elegant coving, fireplaces, floorboards and tiling within.

Why are they called terraced houses?

Terraced homes have a long and distinguished history in the UK. This first began when the concept migrated to England from Italy in the 1600s. After the Great Fire of London in 1666, London needed to be rebuilt – and terraces were the answer. They soon became a hallmark of the Georgian period when architects borrowed from the term ‘garden terraces’ to describe a more uniform style not captured adequately by the concept of a ‘row’.

Terraced housing in London’s Notting Hill

What is the difference between a terraced house and a detached house?

While a terraced house shares a boundary with two homes of a similar style to either side, a detached home is completely separate from any neighbouring properties. They also frequently come with front and back gardens, off-road parking and more privacy overall. With two side aspects exposed, detached houses usually have more windows, making them brighter and airer.

Are terraced houses bad?

Everyone has a different lifestyle and priorities, so let’s rephrase this. Would a terraced house be a bad choice for you? Here are some things you should consider:

Location: Does the home in question have a decent garden fit for your needs? This will depend on whether you have children and how much time you intend to be socialising at home. If not, is there a range of parks and open spaces nearby? Terraced homes will often be a short distance from shops, restaurants and amenities, which can be a real plus.

Security: Many terraced streets have alleyways and passages leading to back gardens. You may want to consider the security ramifications when this applies – especially in areas with higher crime rates. Also think about the amount of street lighting, parking arrangements, and the safety of the surrounding roads.

Maintenance: Period terraced homes can offer many glorious original features, but older houses have their downsides. Look out for signs of neglect that might turn a relatively cheap form of housing into an expensive nightmare. Of course, you may be looking for that perfect restoration project! Many period terraces have already been renovated to a high standard, so keep your eyes peeled for modernised properties if you don’t want the hassle.

Space, Light & Privacy: Tightly compact housing often reduces space for manoeuvring (people and furniture!) and less storage potential. Depending on the placement and number of windows, you might also suffer from a lack of light or feeling overlooked. Sharing walls means you may hear more of your neighbours than you’d like, though you can improve the insulation. However, many modern terraces feature open layouts, skylights, and clever storage solutions – proving that not all homes are created equal!

Why are terraced houses cheaper?

According to the UK House Price Index, the average price for a terraced house in the UK is £226,369 (March 2021). Compare this to £423,450 for the average detached property. This makes them slightly more expensive than a flat or maisonette but cheaper than a semi-detached home. Understandable if you consider that they offer more space than a flat but less privacy than a semi.

While they can cost less and are generally more energy-efficient, you may have to fork out for better noise insulation. Terraced homes may also not be as valuable due to a lack of parking.

A row of terraced homes in Manchester

Are terraced houses a good investment?

With terraced housing offering a cheaper way onto the property ladder, it’s a popular choice for buyers with smaller budgets. However, any structural alterations affecting your neighbours may incur fees. You might also need their consent for the proposed works – not always great when planning renovations.

Looking to maximise capital gains? You only need to scrutinise Zoopla’s data to see that all types of housing have increased in value by a similar percentage in the past five years.

Can you build an extension on a terraced house?

There are several ways you can extend a terraced house, depending on local planning constraints. It’s often easier to extend into the loft in homes built before the 1960s – which many terraced houses were. You could also add more living space by building over the side return or into the garden.

Don’t want to apply for planning? Some areas allow loft conversions and rear extensions up to six metres within the scope of permitted development. Of course, always check the requirements first! If your home is within a Conservation Area, you’ll need permission for any significant changes.

Are end of terrace houses worth more?

An end of terrace home generally commands a higher value than its mid-terrace neighbours because it only shares a boundary to one side. Situated at the entrance of the street, these homes have more light and the potential to extend. One adjoining household is also less likely to disturb you than two.

Are mid terraced houses noisy?

They can be! The good news is that you do have options for reducing noise. Building regulations regarding acceptable noise levels should protect newer terraces. A blockwork structure may separate period terraces to prevent fire, which can also be helpful. To ensure a quieter life, consider a retrospective insulation programme. Options include spray foam insulation or even decoupling the party wall from your neighbour’s.

HomeViews provides verified resident reviews of the UK’s housing developments. We’re working with developers, landlords and the Government to recognise high performers and help to improve standards in the built environment.

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