Side gabled and hipped roofs are typical on Colonial Revival residences, and often include a series of dormers or one continuous shed dormer. Historic roofing materials were usually slate or wood shingles. Gambrel roofs, with either a full or partial second story, are a defining architectural feature. The roof configuration is typically front, side, or cross-gabled. A mix of exterior materials is more common than in Colonial Revival, such as combining stone and wood shingles or stucco and weatherboard.
Houses usually have a full or partial-width porch with columns.
Symmetrical front facades and multiple-pane glazing in double sash windows are used, especially on the front facade. Perhaps the most common feature on Mediterranean Revival style buildings is a low-pitched, ceramic tile hipped roof. The roofs often have boxed eaves with bracketing. Some apartment and institutional buildings have flat roofs. Exteriors are masonry and are either light or dark brick, smooth cut stone, or stucco.