Your Burlingame Architectural Styles Guide for Buyers

Spot a red tile roof and an arched doorway on a Burlingame block and wonder what it means for daily living? You are not alone. When you can recognize the major home styles here, you can quickly size up floorplans, materials, and likely remodeling needs before you step inside. This guide gives you a clear visual checklist, neighborhood patterns, and buyer tips so you can tour with confidence. Let’s dive in.

How Burlingame’s history shapes today’s homes

Burlingame grew rapidly in the early 1900s through the 1940s, with another wave after World War II and steady renovation since. You will see a mix of Craftsman and period revival homes alongside mid-century and newer contemporary infill. Many originals keep their façade while interiors have been updated over time.

Lots in central neighborhoods are often rectangular with moderate setbacks, sidewalks, and street trees. Older tracts tend to have narrower side yards and deeper rear yards, which favors rear additions over side expansions. Many early homes sit on raised foundations, while post-war houses more often use slabs.

Visual ID: Four Burlingame home styles

Craftsman (c. 1905–1930)

• Key exterior features:
  • Low gabled roofs with wide eaves and exposed rafter tails.
  • Deep porches with tapered or square columns on stone, brick, or concrete piers.
  • Wood shingle or horizontal wood siding, sometimes shingle in the gable and clapboard below.
  • Grouped double-hung windows, often with multi-pane upper sash.
• Interior features:
  • Efficient 1 to 1.5 story bungalows, plus some larger two-story variants.
  • Built-ins, substantial wood trim, hardwood floors, and simple living-to-dining flow.
• Floorplan cues:
  • Front living room with fireplace, dining adjacent, kitchen at rear.
  • Two to three bedrooms on the main level in bungalows; many originals had a single bath.
• Burlingame specifics:
  • Historic use of redwood siding and trim, raised pier-and-beam foundations.
  • Original roofs were wood shingle or early composition; many now use architectural shingles.
• Remodel patterns you will see:
  • Kitchen openings to dining, rear additions, added baths, basement conversions where feasible.

Tudor Revival (c. 1915–1940)

• Key exterior features:
  • Steeply pitched roofs, side or cross gables, and a prominent chimney.
  • Decorative half-timbering with stucco or brick infill.
  • Arched entries and grouped casement windows, sometimes with leaded glass.
• Interior features:
  • Intimate rooms, varied ceiling heights, plaster walls, and exposed beams in some homes.
  • Formal living and dining rooms centered around a fireplace.
• Floorplan cues:
  • Two stories are common with bedrooms upstairs.
  • Foyer leads to an offset living room and a dining room, with a smaller rear kitchen in originals.
• Burlingame specifics:
  • Stucco and clinker brick accents, plus decorative stonework on higher-end examples.
  • Original wood casements often replaced or retrofitted.
• Remodel patterns you will see:
  • Expanded kitchens and modernized baths, with careful attention to window style and exterior detailing.

Mediterranean and Spanish Revival (c. 1915–1935)

• Key exterior features:
  • Low-pitched red clay tile roofs, stucco walls, and arched openings.
  • Asymmetrical massing, small courtyards, and wrought-iron details.
• Interior features:
  • Plaster walls, decorative tile, and iron railings.
  • Layouts that emphasize indoor-outdoor flow to patios.
• Floorplan cues:
  • One or two stories, with living rooms facing the street or a central courtyard.
  • Modest original kitchens and bedrooms grouped along halls.
• Burlingame specifics:
  • Original clay tile roofs are a distinctive hallmark; many have been replaced with modern tile or shingles.
  • Stucco repair and maintenance are common considerations.
• Remodel patterns you will see:
  • Expanded kitchens and enclosed or enhanced patios, plus seismic work that may touch roof and stucco systems.

Mid-century and contemporary infill (c. 1945–1975 and 1990s–present)

• Key exterior features:
  • Mid-century: low horizontal lines, big windows, simple forms, yard integration.
  • Recent contemporary: clean lines, mixed materials, large glass areas, flat or shallow roofs.
• Interior features:
  • Open living and kitchen plans, larger kitchens, and en suite primary bedrooms.
  • Higher ceilings and modern mechanical systems in newer builds.
• Floorplan cues:
  • Mid-century: single-level ranch or split-level layouts.
  • Contemporary infill: multi-level open plans with integrated garages.
• Burlingame specifics:
  • Post-war tracts may be on slab foundations.
  • Newer infill often replaces older homes with larger footprints using engineered framing and modern claddings.
• Remodel patterns you will see:
  • Open-plan conversions, system upgrades, and whole-house replacements on selected parcels.

Where styles commonly appear in Burlingame

Neighborhood inventories vary. Use city planning maps and local historical resources to confirm details for specific properties.

Easton Addition

• What you will notice: early expansion tracts east of downtown with tree-lined blocks.
• Common styles: Craftsman bungalows, Tudor and English Revival cottages, some Mediterranean and later updates.
• Lot patterns: moderate lot widths, houses closer to the front setback with rear yards and sidewalks.

Burlingame Park

• What you will notice: established streetscapes with historic character.
• Common styles: a strong presence of Craftsman, plus Tudor and Mediterranean homes with preserved details.
• Lot patterns: regular lots, consistent setbacks, and many raised foundations with original porches.

Lyon-Hoag

• What you will notice: a mix of early 20th-century homes and later updates.
• Common styles: Craftsman, Tudor, Mediterranean, and some mid-century or newer replacements.
• Lot patterns: medium-sized parcels that often allow rear or second-story additions.

Quick visual checklist at the curb

Use these cues to identify style before you walk in.

• Roof shape and pitch: steep roof suggests Tudor, low pitch with red tile suggests Mediterranean, broad eaves with visible rafter tails suggests Craftsman.
• Porch and columns: deep porch with tapered or square columns points to Craftsman.
• Wall cladding: stucco plus clay tile hints Mediterranean, half-timbering with stucco hints Tudor, wood shingle or clapboard hints Craftsman.
• Windows: grouped casements or leaded panes suggest Tudor, double-hung with multi-pane uppers suggest Craftsman, large picture or clerestory windows suggest mid-century or contemporary.
• Details: clinker brick, arched entries, wrought iron, and prominent chimneys help confirm the style.

Photo prompts: what to capture

Create a consistent set of photos to compare homes and learn faster.

• General exterior:
  • Full front elevation to show roofline and porch.
  • Detail shots of porch columns, rafter tails, half-timbering, chimney, and eaves.
  • Close-ups of the roof material, window muntins, and entry hardware.
• Context shots:
  • Lot context showing front setback and side yards.
  • A streetscape view showing tree canopy and spacing between homes.
• Interior (when permitted):
  • Fireplace and built-ins for Craftsman.
  • Staircase and plaster details for Tudor.
  • Original tile and floor transitions for Mediterranean.
  • Open-plan kitchen and glazing for contemporary.
• Caption guidance:
  • Note the style and approximate era, then a one-line cue. Example: “Craftsman, built c. 1915 - low gable roof with exposed rafter tails.”

Floorplan callouts you can sketch fast

Craftsman bungalow (one story)

• Front porch → living room with fireplace → dining adjacent → kitchen at rear → bedrooms off a hallway. Note the original single bath and compact footprint.

Tudor Revival (two stories)

• Asymmetrical front → entry to offset foyer → living room with fireplace → dining toward back → small rear kitchen → bedrooms upstairs. Mark steep roof and chimney location.

Mediterranean and Spanish Revival (one or two stories)

• Central living space with arched openings → patio or courtyard connection → bedrooms off corridors → tile floors noted.

Contemporary or infill (multi-story)

• Open-plan main level with large kitchen island → living and dining flow → primary suite often upstairs with en suite → integrated garage and multiple baths.

Buyer’s practical checklist

Structure and systems to ask about

• Foundations: older raised foundations can settle and may need repair; post-war slabs bring different repair scopes.
• Seismic retrofits: ask about bolting, cripple wall bracing, and any retrofit documentation.
• Roofing and drainage: verify flashing, gutters, and attic ventilation. Many original wood or tile roofs have been replaced.
• Exterior finishes: inspect redwood siding or stucco for rot, termite activity, moisture, and patching.
• Windows and millwork: original wood windows add character but can be drafty; replacements change both performance and appearance.

Planning additions and remodels

• Older lots often favor rear additions due to side yard widths and setbacks.
• Second-story additions are common; review neighborhood bulk limits and design review before planning large expansions.
• Expect higher costs for period-appropriate materials if you aim to match historic details.

First-time buyer notes

• Early homes may have smaller rooms and one original bath. Confirm scope and cost for kitchen and bath upgrades plus any seismic or foundation work.

Move-up buyer notes

• Look for lot potential for rear or vertical additions. Review permit history and neighborhood patterns before committing to a design.

Verification and records

• For build year, lot size, and historic context, consult city planning resources, local historical records, and county property data. Walk or drive the neighborhood to see examples in context.

Make your Burlingame tour count

When you can spot style cues and common floorplans, you will focus faster on homes that fit your needs and budget. Keep your camera ready, sketch quick plan notes, and ask targeted questions about foundations, windows, roofs, and seismic work. With a clear system, you will compare apples to apples from Easton Addition to Burlingame Park and Lyon-Hoag.

If you want a local walkthrough and practical renovation guidance tailored to Burlingame homes, connect with Julie Baumann. Julie combines neighborhood expertise with hands-on construction insight to help you buy with confidence.

FAQs

What are the most common home styles in Burlingame?

• You will often see Craftsman, Tudor Revival, Mediterranean or Spanish Revival, plus mid-century and newer contemporary infill.

How can I tell a Craftsman from a Tudor while driving by?

• Craftsman shows low gables, broad eaves, exposed rafter tails, and a deep porch; Tudor shows steep roofs, a prominent chimney, and half-timbering with stucco.

Are older Burlingame homes usually on raised foundations?

• Many pre-war homes use raised pier-and-beam foundations, while post-war properties more often use slab foundations.

Where are Craftsman homes commonly found in Burlingame?

• Craftsman homes are commonly found in areas like Easton Addition and Burlingame Park, alongside other period revival styles.

What updates are typical in Spanish or Mediterranean homes?

• Kitchens and patios are often expanded, stucco is repaired as needed, and seismic improvements may be added, sometimes affecting roof and stucco work.

Do I need a seismic retrofit for a vintage Burlingame home?

• Many older homes lack complete retrofits; ask about bolting, cripple wall bracing, and documentation, then have a qualified inspection before you buy.