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Built by Amesbury town clerk Thomas Macy circa 1649, this expansive plum-colored saltbox was sold to sawmill owner Anthony Colby in 1654 and remained in the Colby family for nine generations. Now a house museum open for private tours, Macy-Colby House earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008. By protecting and celebrating Saltbox houses, we celebrate the stories embedded within their walls and contribute to the cultural tapestry of our communities.
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Many homes built later in the 18th century used a technique called balloon framing. While balloon framing is a faster construction method, there is no beam in the center of the home’s roof to stop fires from spreading. Although it took a little longer, this made post-and-beam construction better and safer for homeowners. Interestingly, the front door of the historic home was initially centered on the facade opposite the sloping roof (facing away from the street). Albertsson shifted the entrance to the right side to improve curb appeal and usability, adjusting the architectural plans and saving a generations-old, original oak tree on the property. In addition to new windows and mechanical components, the interior received a modern saltbox-style makeover with a reconfigured kitchen, a fresh mix of furnishings, and new coats of paint.
Contemporary Saltbox in Underhill, Vermont
While the quintessential roofline is a thoughtful tribute to the region's history, Jacoby's modern adaption also serves a practical purpose. "For this particular project, it was more about site-specificity, climate, and environmental efficiency," Jacoby explains. The saltbox slope helps the home withstand extreme weather conditions while minimizing energy expenditure. The sloped roof also includes solar panels that reduce the use and cost of energy for homeowners. A classic staple of New England architecture, saltbox-style houses first appeared in the United States around 1650, making them among the oldest examples of American Colonial-style architecture.
What does a saltbox style house look like?
The sloped roof is also said to have been developed so that the heavier snowfall in the northern states would slide off easier as it melted and create less of a weight burden for the rooftop. Regional variations in Saltbox house design are notable and reflect the specific architectural traditions of different areas. In Connecticut, for example, Saltbox houses often featured a one-and-a-half-story design, with the lower level serving as storage or workspace. This variation allowed for a more efficient use of space and catered to the needs of the agricultural communities. In the late 18th century, the Federal style emerged, bringing with it a departure from the symmetrical and simplistic designs of Colonial New England.
And, it may have been in the middle of a field without other properties close by. This is because saltbox-style homes were traditionally owned by farmers and families who lived off the land. These slanted roofs allowed snow from harsh New England winters to fall off the roof easily, without someone having to climb onto the roof. So, saltbox houses were and continue to be a very practical choice for homeowners living in snowy climates. Initially, saltbox houses were built to expand living space for families and to combat the harsh winter weather of New England. The sloping roof was not only an architectural choice but also served a practical purpose by deflecting strong winds and facilitating the quick melting of snow.
Despite the variations, the fundamental design of the Saltbox house remained intact, with the iconic sloping roofline being the defining feature throughout its evolution. The ability of the Saltbox style to adapt and incorporate different architectural influences is a testament to its flexibility and enduring appeal. In summary, the unique roofline of Saltbox houses not only adds to their aesthetic charm but also serves important design and functional purposes.
This creates a break even though both parts of the house were built at the same time. What started out of sheer practicality soon caught on, and by 1680 the Saltbox was an architectural style in its own right. New Englanders began building their homes with the lean-to addition and slanted roof included right from the start. With its asymmetrical roof and restrained facade, the Saltbox house has become an icon of New England’s coastal areas. When Colonial-era families first developed the style, though, they weren’t aiming for aesthetic appeal.
The simplicity of the Cape Cod style melded seamlessly with the Saltbox design, creating a unique blend of architectural characteristics. Many updated saltbox homes and modern builds also feature today's tongue-and-groove hardwood flooring, which uses thinner boards in an offset pattern that fits almost seamlessly together. Polished hardwood floors became popular in the late 19th century, so it's not uncommon to find familiar flooring in newer styles. If you've ever wondered what these beautiful homes look like inside, where their history started, or what their features are, keep reading to learn the ins and outs of saltbox houses. Despite the fact that the style dates all the way back to the 1600s, saltbox architecture still feels fresh and modern—especially in the right surroundings.
Original designs incorporate traditional characteristics like exposed wood ceiling beams and large fireplaces, while modern variations often feature sleek, angular architectural lines and minimalistic interiors. Built during the 17th and 18th centuries, American saltbox houses were named after commonly used wooden salt containers from the colonial period. Historic saltbox houses are easily identified by their signature one-sided sloped rooflines and simple colonial facades. Originally named for the wooden salt boxes common in the Colonial era, which had a sloped front lid, saltbox houses are typically built from wood.
The house’s footprint was often oriented specifically to ensure each room would receive the maximum possible amount of sunlight through its windows. Rachel Silva, the Assistant Digital Editor at ELLE DECOR, covers design, architecture, trends, and anything to do with haute couture.
Water can easily drain off and snow will not gather on your roof due to the sloped sides and absence of flat surfaces. This cheerful dwelling situated in the historic village of Nichols in Trumbull didn’t start off as a saltbox home, but rather as a Cape Cod-style cottage. The back roof is extended and low, providing a distinctive long rear profile, while the front side is shorter and higher. The saltbox roof is particularly advantageous in northern climates prone to mild to heavy rainfall and snow. Its design, with no flat parts, prevents snow accumulation and can withstand strong winds better than gable roofs, offering both practical and aesthetic benefits. The truth is, you can decorate a saltbox house the same way you would any reasonable home.
Users of this site are hereby informed that, pursuant to applicable laws and regulations, all dwellings advertised in the MetroList® service are available on an equal opportunity basis. The house was photographed earlier in 1967 by Guy Webster and featured prominently on the cover of blues guitarist Taj Mahal's self-titled debut album, released in early 1968. At the time the house was still in its original location, surrounded by a barbed wire fence. The center was typically turned into extra cooking space or a “keeping room,” a stove-heated space beside the kitchen where families slept in winter. The spaces on either side were often turned into a pantry and a “borning room” used for childbirth and illness.
These houses not only symbolize architectural excellence but also embody the spirit of resilience and craftsmanship of our ancestors. Preservation techniques for Saltbox houses often involve a combination of stabilization, repair, and conservation efforts. Stabilizing the structure may include reinforcing the foundation, addressing rot or insect damage, and repairing structural elements as needed. Strategically placed windows in the new addition maximize natural light, provide sweeping views, and offer privacy from close-by neighbors.
The Saltbox house style has evolved over time, adapting to changing architectural trends and regional influences. From its humble beginnings in Colonial New England, the Saltbox design has undergone transformations that reflect the diverse architectural history of different regions. The central chimney, a notable feature of many Saltbox houses, was constructed using bricks or stones.
The house is now owned by the town and is a historic home museum available to the public. They remained a popular choice in the 17th and 18th centuries and have become a staple of early American architecture in this region. His work has appeared in GQ, Conde Nast Traveler, Playboy, Vice, and Architectural Digest, where he also worked as the local news editor. Exposed ceiling beams can also create a more historic look, and rounded, weathered-looking beams won’t have the same quality if you’re pairing them with stainless steel appliances.
Traditionally, they didn’t have additional buildings like a carriage house or garage. Saltbox homes range from about 1,000-3,000 square feet, although some modern versions are even larger. Historically owned by farmers, saltbox architecture was typically an economical choice due to its smaller size, around 1,000 square feet. Although building them took considerable time due to the post-and-beam style of construction, this construction method also allowed homeowners to use fewer metal nails, which were very expensive at the time. Her goal was to make the circa-1725 home livable and fresh while preserving historical attributes.
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