1 April 2024
The term ‘semi-detached house’ in the UK is used to describe two single family homes that share one single wall. This type of housing has become popular in the United Kingdom and can often be found in quiet neighbourhoods close to local amenities and transport links.
This type of single family home tends to be cheaper than other types of properties such as townhouses and detached houses, but more expensive than terraced houses. The layout is often a mirror image of the attached house.
Semi-detached homes offer plenty of space for families or older people who do not want to live alone. They often come with their own private gardens which makes them ideal for growing food and flowers if you wish to do so.
However, they can be quite damp and cramped in winter due to the fact that there is only one exterior wall available for ventilation purposes.
The history of semi-detached housing
Housing the rural working classes in England in the 18th century was a struggle. The wealthy classes saw that to have better control, they would have to keep villages smaller and they built houses in terraces, on account of their low cost to build and their tendency to take up less space.
Semi-detached housing became popular in the 20th century, post war era, when it was seen as another step up from standard terraced housing. It comes with larger gardens than terraces but doesn’t have the expense of fully detached homes. They are less expensive but they can still occupy prime positions near to the centre of town or further out in the suburbs.
Outside of the UK, semi-detached houses can be known as duplexes or townhouses. Duplexes are houses that occupy two levels, with the ground level usually being occupied by a garage and entrance to the property while the upstairs area is where you will often find the living quarters.
The term semi-detached is also often abbreviated to ‘semi’ so if you hear the term ‘semi’ or ‘duplex’, you know that a semi-detached house is what is being referred to. Sometimes people also use the term ‘semi attached house’.
Housing in the UK is typically categorised into one of three main types: detached properties, semi-detached properties or terraced houses. Detached homes are those that stand alone with no part attached to another building whereas a semi-detached property has at least one wall connected to another home and a terraced house is connected on both sides.
Each of these types of housing come with advantages and disadvantages and each one may appeal differently to different groups of people.
Detached houses are those that stand alone with no part attached to another building. They are typically the most expensive type of housing in the UK and are popular with people who want a lot of privacy in their own property.
This type of property is mostly found in suburban neighbourhoods and areas in the countryside. They tend to come with substantial gardens which makes them a good choice for people who enjoy spending a lot of time outdoors.
One disadvantage is that if you require any repairs or maintenance then this will typically cost more because there are more materials that need servicing such as roofs, windows and walls.
Unlike semi-detached properties, detached homes have front and back doors so you’re less likely to feel exposed to your neighbours. The downside of this is that you may be more at risk of burglary due to the larger number of access and exit points.
Terraced housing is very similar to semi-detached homes, except that it is attached on both sides. This type of housing is a common property type in densely populated areas where there isn’t much space to build detached homes.
The main advantage of terraced houses is that they are typically cheaper to buy and maintain than detached homes.
You will also save a lot of money on heating and cooling costs in a terraced home due to the increased insulation. However, this is offset by the fact that terraced houses typically have smaller gardens and driveways because of their close proximity to other homes.
A smaller garden means that you will have less maintenance to do however it also means that you won’t have as much space to enjoy your outdoor activities such as summer BBQs.
The main downside of this type of housing is the fact that you’re much more likely to experience noise from the neighbouring properties than if you lived in a detached home or even a semi-detached home due to the one common wall shared between each neighbour.
A semi-detached home, as we have seen, stands in between these two types of property.
The term semi-detached houses can be broken down into two parts; “semi” and “detached”. The term “semi” is Latin for “half”, so what this means is that each of these houses only has a shared wall on one side and is independent and freestanding on the other sides.
There are no set rules as to how this kind of house should be designed; however, there are generally two mirror image houses joined in the middle by a party wall.
There are several different subcategories of semidetached houses such as a side garage semi-detached house which has a small room called a “side garage” that is used for storing cars and other garden equipment.
The main advantage of this type of home in the UK is the fact they are smaller than detached houses, making them ideal for first-time buyers who don’t have as much money to spend. In addition, they are also good choices when it comes to maintenance costs because you have fewer materials that need maintenance in comparison to a fully detached house due to the fact that you have shared walls.
Properties built like this come with the risk of having your privacy disrupted by noise coming from the neighbouring house. This means that if you’re looking for peace and quiet then this kind of property may not be the right choice for you.
Additionally, semi-detached homes generally come with smaller gardens than detached homes which means that some people may find it difficult to find space to enjoy their outdoor hobbies.
Aside from the three main types of housing detailed above, there are many other types of property to consider when looking at where to live in the UK. A few of these are listed below:
An end terrace house is a style of terraced housing in the United Kingdom which is the last in a row of terraced houses and, as such, has no houses attached to it on one side. The ‘end terraced house’ as it is so called, often has a different layout to the other properties on the row.
Because of their nature, such houses are generally found at the end of a road or a cul de sac and so it is worth carefully considering where you would like to be located when looking at an end of terrace house.
The main advantage of this type of construction is that you have more privacy than if you lived in a fully terraced house. This means it has similar advantages to a semi-detached home.
They are often more expensive than a full terraced house and will have more light due to being more exposed to the elements.
A bungalow is a style of detached house built on a single storey. This type of home is often popular with older people because it is easier to access and move around in than a two-storey home due to the absence of stairs.
Bungalows typically have a large front garden and driveway, which is ideal if you have a lot of cars or other equipment that you need to store.
The main advantage of this type of detached home is the fact that they are much easier to maintain than two-storey homes. This is because there is only one floor that needs to be kept clean and free of clutter.
In addition, bungalows are typically cheaper to heat and maintain than two-storey homes.
Back to back housing is a type of terraced housing in the United Kingdom in which two houses share a rear wall. This type of housing was popular in the early 20th century as it was an affordable way for working-class people to live close to their jobs.
The main disadvantage of this type of property is the fact that there is less land and so no space for a garden. In addition, it can be difficult to move around due to the tight corridors and there may be a lack of natural light.
Back to back houses were often built with very little ventilation which means that they can sometimes be quite damp and cramped to live in.
Townhouses are a type of housing that is becoming increasingly popular in the UK. They are typically three or four storeys high and have a small garden at the front and rear.
The main advantage of townhouses is the fact that they are often more spacious than terraced houses or flats. In addition, they come with their own private gardens which makes them ideal for families.
Another positive point about townhouses is the fact that they are often located in prime areas, close to local amenities and transport links.
The disadvantages of townhouses are the fact that they can be quite expensive to buy and maintain.
There are a number of pros and cons to consider when it comes to buying a semi-detached house. On the one hand, they offer more space than terraced houses or flats and often come with their own private gardens.
On the other hand, they can be quite expensive to buy and maintain. Ultimately, the decision on whether or not to buy a semi detached house as your dream home depends on your personal circumstances and what is important to you at your current period of life. You can talk to estate agents to seek advice on the best single family dwelling house for you.
Jane is one of our primary content writers and specialises in elder care. She has a degree in English language and literature from Manchester University and has been writing and reviewing products for a number of years.
The term ‘semi-detached house’ in the UK is used to describe two single family homes that share one single wall. This type of housing has become popular in the United Kingdom and can often be found in quiet neighbourhoods close to local amenities and transport links
Housing in the UK is typically categorised into one of three main types: detached properties, semi-detached properties or terraced houses.
Detached houses are those that stand alone with no part attached to another building.
Terraced housing is very similar to semi-detached homes, except that it is attached on both sides.