From Craft to Commodity: The Turning Point in Homebuilding (1910s–1950s)

Family in front of a Levittown home (1950's)

Building for 100 Years – Part 2 (Part 2 of 2)

From Craft to Commodity: The Turning Point in Homebuilding (1910s–1950s)

In the previous article (Homes Built to Last: 1700s to Pre-WWI), we looked at how homes built before World War I were carefully crafted legacies—structures made with real materials, often by the hands of those who lived in them, meant to last generations. But something shifted between the end of World War I and the years following World War II.

This era became the turning point in how we thought about homes. Mass production, rapid urban expansion, and cultural shifts transformed houses from generational heirlooms into consumer products. What was once built slowly and intentionally began to be built quickly and uniformly.

1. World War I Disruption (1914–1918)

World War I slowed home construction dramatically. Labor and materials were redirected to the war effort, causing a significant housing shortage. When the war ended, pent-up demand created pressure to build—but faster and cheaper.

2. The 1920s Boom

The 1920s brought economic growth and a surge in home construction. This era introduced the first major signs of standardization. While homes were still well built, builders began favoring efficiency (potentially to meet demand):

• Sears Kit Homes became popular, offering pre-cut materials and plans shipped by rail.

• Construction became more streamlined, but quality was still present.

At the same time, this period saw a renaissance in architectural style. Many American soldiers returned from Europe deeply influenced by the beauty of Old World architecture—villages in France, English manors, Italian villas. This led to an explosion of revival styles across the country, including:

• Tudor Revival (steep gables, half-timbering)

• Spanish Colonial Revival (stucco walls, tile roofs, arched openings)

• French Norman & French Provincial

• Italian Renaissance Revival

• Colonial Revival (a patriotic nod to early American architecture)

These homes were rich in detail and constructed with real materials. Though more efficient than pre-war construction, they still carried soul, beauty, and a desire to build something meaningful—much like the goals of today’s custom home builders focused on quality.

The Industrial Revolution Made It All Possible

It’s worth noting that the Industrial Revolution played a major role in enabling these revival styles to flourish. Advances in milling, framing techniques, and rail transport made it possible to replicate old-world charm on a broad scale:

• Balloon and platform framing replaced heavy timber, allowing more complex layouts.

• Stain-grade wood paneling, trim, and mouldings could be mass-produced and shipped nationwide.

• Entire homes—down to the staircase balusters—could be sourced from catalogs and rail-delivered.

This meant even modest families could build homes that felt refined, elegant, and enduring—combining the romance of European design with the innovation of American industry.

Many of these homes remain highly sought-after today and offer inspiration for homeowners looking to build a custom forever home with timeless architecture.

3. The Great Depression (1930s)

When the stock market crashed in 1929, housing construction nearly stopped. Homes that were built in the 1930s were typically smaller and simpler. Cost-efficiency became a priority.

• Government programs like the FHA (Federal Housing Administration) introduced design standards and mortgage incentives.

• Homes were still built with solid materials, but the focus was shifting away from craftsmanship and toward affordability.

4. World War II and the Rise of the Suburbs (1940s–1950s)

World War II once again halted civilian homebuilding as resources were directed to military needs. But when the war ended, the U.S. faced a housing crisis:

• Millions of returning veterans

• A booming population

• Rapid suburbanization

This led to developments like Levittown, where homes were built assembly-line style:

• Houses completed in under a week

• Nearly identical layouts and materials

• Standardized components and minimal customization

The focus was clear: build fast, build cheap, and build for the masses. This marked a major shift away from the detailed care seen in traditional home construction.

5. The Introduction of Synthetic & Manufactured Materials

To support rapid construction, builders turned to new materials:

• Drywall replaced time-consuming plaster.

• Vinyl siding began to take over from painted wood.

• Asphalt shingles replaced slate, clay, and wood shakes.

• Hollow-core doors, aluminum windows, and engineered flooring appeared.

These materials were praised for speed and cost savings, but longevity and repairability were sacrificed—a key consideration for anyone seeking to build a durable, high-quality custom home.

6. The Cultural Shift: Homes as Products

Perhaps the biggest change during this time was psychological. The idea of the “forever home” began to fade. Instead, homes became a stepping stone:

• Buy

• Live in for a few years

• Sell

• Upgrade

This consumer mindset changed everything. Design became generic, materials became temporary, and pride of ownership began to shift from craftsmanship to convenience.

7. The Consequences of This Era

Many homes from this era still stand today—but not without issues:

• Frequent repairs and replacements

• Outdated or failed materials

• Lost character and identity

These homes often lack the soul and substance of earlier generations. They were not designed to age gracefully. They were designed to meet immediate demand. For modern homeowners seeking to build a custom home that lasts, this era serves as a cautionary tale.

Conclusion: A Fork in the Road

Between World War I and the years following World War II, America reached a crossroads. We shifted from building homes that were meant to last, to building homes that were meant to sell.

This transformation reshaped our communities, our expectations, and the materials we use. And while mass production served an urgent need at the time, it came at the cost of beauty, character, and long-term durability.

As we look ahead to building homes that can stand for the next hundred years, we must ask: do we want to keep building for convenience—or return to building for legacy?

If you’re planning to build a custom home, let this era inform your decisions. Real materials, traditional architecture, and timeless design aren’t just nostalgic—they’re the foundation of homes that last.

In the next part of this series, we’ll explore what this shift means for the homes built in the last 20 plus years, and what challenges lie ahead as those houses begin to age.