Ranch House Plans

Ranch-style homes are surging in popularity, but these are not the dull, linear designs of the 1950s and ’60s. Today’s single-level houses are rugged and utilitarian, designed to accommodate a crowd and stand up to heavy foot traffic because they are only one-level. A traditional log home ranch has one long roof ridge, with a fairly shallow pitch. A ranch home’s horizontal lines look best on a flat site, but can appear more modern on a slope. Metal roofs are a wise pick for standing up to the hot sun and drifting snow. The ranch house should feel communal, with a wide-open sense of welcome. Wrap-around porches look great on a ranch home, and permit entry at a number of places.