The change in building technique changed houses from their traditional box-like shapes by greatly simplifying the construction of corners, wall extensions, overhands, and irregular house shapes, introducing many of the new Victorian styles. 

Victorian styles reflected growing industrialization changes through the extravagant use of complex shapes and elaborate detailing, features previously restricted to expensive, landmark houses. 

Most Victorian houses are loosely based on Medieval and Classical precedents, with asymmetrical facades and steeply pitched roofs. 

The traditional style consists of: 

• Levels: Either one, two, or three story

• Roof Style: Typically identified by a steep pitched roof of irregular shape (gabled, hipped, or a combination of both), typically with a dominant front-facing gable

• Porches: Asymmetric one-story porches cover the front entrance area and part or all of the front facade, and may extend along one or both sides of the house. Second story porches may be recessed into gables, towers, or second stories.

• Towers and Turrets:  Varying height are common, and round or polygonal are most characteristic, with the round tower placed at the front facade corner being the most popular. These may rise from ground level (Tower) or be cantilevered out at the second floor (Turret). Square towers are less common. 

• Doors:  Usually simple and  commonly have delicate decorative details and a single large pane of glass set into the upper portion. 

• Windows: Usually simple and single pane, or a single large clear pane surrounded by additional small rectangular panes on one or more sides. 

Wall Surfaces are considered decorative elements and include many of the following: 

• Textured shingles are used to avoid a smooth-walled appearance. 

• Bay windows

• Towers

• Turrets

• Overhangs (real or simulated by trim)

• Brackets accentuating real and false overhangs

• Foof gables that overhang bay windows (cutaway bay windows)

• A band of shingles or trim that may flare at the base

• The triangular section in the top portion of a gable extended forward

• A pent roof enclosing a gable

• Wall projections which provide random changes in the horizontal continuity of the wall plane

• Utilizing wall materials of differing textures, patterns, and contrasting materials shaped into varying designs. 

Several variations of the Queen Anne house exist, based not only on house shape or roof style, but also decorative detailing. 

The Folk Victorian Front-Gabled Roof style house is similar to the Folk Gable Front house but with the addition of Victorian detailing. The house is a narrow two-story gable-front house with a relatively steep roof pitch with the addition of Victorian detailing.