Ranch House Plans

Ranch house plans. Ranch style homes (originally known as the California Ranch) were quite popular plans in the 50's and 60's. The styling of ranch house plans is very simple and rectangular in shape.

Ranch style homes generally have shallow pitched hipped roofs that extended across a single or double car garage. A Ranch house features single floor living. There are no stairs to a second floor, although there may be stairs into a basement.

Ranch house plans are best suited to a large lot because of the width. Ranch style plans are most popular with three bedrooms and two baths. This plan style has evolved over the years. You can now find a ranch style plan with various architectural styles such as Traditional, Georgian, Country and more.

Ranch house plans are popular because they generally provide all that you need for day-to-day living on the main level. For this reason the ranch style plan is often built without a basement. With a basement the ranch style home is quite large with many bedrooms. For this reason the ranch style home plan can be cost effective considering the total amount of square footage you end up with.

A typical Ranch house plan has many of these features:

Single story. 
Low pitched gable roof. 
Deep-set eaves. 
Horizontal, rambling layout: Long, narrow, and low to the ground. 
Rectangular, L-shaped, or U-shaped design. 
Asymmetrical. 
Large windows: double-hung, sliding, and picture. 
Sliding glass doors leading out to patio. 
Attached garage. 
Simple floor plans. 
Emphasis on openness (few interior walls) and efficient use of space. 
Built from natural materials: Oak floors, wood or brick exterior. 
Lack decorative detailing, aside from decorative shutters and porch-roof supports.

The Ranch style is also known as American Ranch, Western Ranch, or California Rambler. A popular variation of the Ranch house style is the Raised Ranch. A Raised Ranch (or split level) home has two floors: a main floor and a partially submerged basement.

If you're interested in modern interpretations of the Ranch style home, these companies offer Ranch house plans so you can build your own: 

• Search Ranch house plans at ePlans  Quickly find house plans by choosing what fits your needs. Browse over 10,000 plans or get more specific with the Advanced House Plan Search. The online division of Home Planners, the country’s leading provider of house plans since 1945.
   
• Browse for Ranch Plans at HomePlans Select the home size features you want, then click 'GO' to see matching plans. A trusted leader in home plans since 1946. Full service company! Over 10,800 home plans to choose from, 100+ professional designers, plan customization, great service.
   
• Ranch house building Plans at Architectural Designs Over 3600 quality house plans online. In business selling quality house plans for over 30 years. Exclusive QuikQuote cost estimate available on all plans.
   
• Dream Home Source has Ranch home plans Search through over 14,000 professionally designed stock house plans from over 85 of North America's premier architects and designers.

Or...

• Search all house plans: Your dream dream home starts with the perfect plans. To save you time while you search house plans we've collected together only the best companies providing quality new house designs. You'll find virtually every house plan available in North America.