Colonial Revival vs Georgian Architecture

Colonial Revival evolved from Georgian Architecture — revives the symmetry, central entrance, and classical trim of American Georgian houses, usually larger and freer.

Colonial Revival

An American revival of Georgian and Federal colonial-era building — symmetrical brick or clapboard façades, a centered classically framed entrance, and balanced rows of multi-paned, shuttered windows.

Strictly symmetrical façade organized about a central axis
Accentuated central entrance with pediment, fanlight, or portico
Balanced rows of double-hung, multi-paned windows with shutters
Side-gabled or hipped roof with classical cornice detailing (dentils)
Brick or clapboard walls with white-painted classical trim

Full Colonial Revival guide →

Georgian Architecture

The dominant English-speaking style of the 18th century — symmetry, classical proportion, and restrained brick-and-stone façades — named for the four King Georges.

Strict bilateral symmetry about a central entrance
Regularly spaced sash windows, often diminishing by storey
Brick or ashlar façades with restrained classical ornament
Classical door surrounds with fanlights, pediments, or pilasters
Crowning cornice, parapet, or balustrade and hierarchical proportions

Full Georgian Architecture guide →

At a glance

	Colonial Revival	Georgian Architecture
Era	1876–1955	1714–1830
Discipline	Architecture	Architecture
Region	United States, Canada	Great Britain, Ireland, British colonies
Family	Revival	Classical
Formal traits	symmetrical, central-entry, shuttered, dentil-cornice	symmetrical, sash-windows, masonry, restrained