Designers during this period were among the the first professional architects in America. They were trained in Europe, however, and Americans were still looking to England and Europe for architectural styles, even after the American Revolution. Building walls are usually either clapboard or Flemish bond brick. The exterior surface was usually clapboarded and typically painted soft beige, off-white, pale yellow or green. There is a symmetrical arrangement of doors and windows.
Urban examples are most often three bays wide, although there are some houses that have four bays.
Stepped gables were a type of fire protection for urban houses. The gable extension would slow the spread of sparks from one roof to another. For interior views, visit the Hart-Cluett Mansion section. Federal details are delicate and found at the door, windows, and cornice line. Doorways often have sidelights and semi-elliptical fanlights.