A post-war house, built between 1945 and 1964, is usually plain and practical, with simple brick walls, a roof of concrete tiles, wide metal windows and a flat canopy over the front door. Some were factory-made instead, from prefab bungalows to houses built from concrete panels or steel frames.
The short version
- Post-war homes date from 1945 to 1964, when the country had a lot of rebuilding to do.
- They're plain and practical: simple brick, little decoration and a roof of concrete tiles.
- Look for wide metal windows and a flat canopy over the front door.
- Prefab bungalows and big council estates are typical of the years just after the war.
- Some homes were built from concrete panels or steel frames rather than brick. A surveyor can tell you how yours was built.
How to spot one, from the roof down
Start at the roof. Concrete tiles took over from clay after the war, so many post-war roofs have bigger, chunkier tiles that lock together. Roofs are usually simple gables or hips, with a smaller chimney stack than older houses.
The windows are wide and often metal, with slim frames divided into a few large panes, which gives the front a horizontal look. Many have since been replaced, so look at the size and shape of the openings too.
Walls are plain brick, sometimes with a panel of render, but with little decoration. Most brick-built homes from these years have cavity walls, so the brickwork shows only the long sides of the bricks.
At the front door, a flat concrete canopy is a strong clue. Doors were simple, often with a small window and a plain step.
Then there are the homes that aren't brick at all. Prefabs were factory-made bungalows put up quickly after the war and meant to be temporary. Plenty outlived their planned lifespan by decades and a few are still much-loved homes today.
Other homes were built from concrete panels or steel frames. Some were later clad in brick, so they can look just like their neighbours. A surveyor can tell you how yours was built.
Councils and builders each had their own designs, so treat these as clues rather than rules. This guide is written for England and Wales. Want to test yourself? Play What era is this house?
Where you'll find them
After the Second World War the country needed homes quickly. Councils built on a huge scale, with large estates of houses, flats and maisonettes on the edges of towns and cities.
The first New Towns were planned from scratch in these years, starting with Stevenage, each with its own centre, schools and green spaces. Private building picked up again through the 1950s, adding semis, short terraces and bungalows to the suburbs.
Most homes from these years are semis, short terraces or bungalows, with low-rise flats and maisonettes on the estates. Gardens are often generous.
What tends to need looking after
Post-war homes were built for everyday family life and many still suit it well, with sensible layouts and good gardens. Their care is mostly about the materials of the time.
If your home is one of the concrete or steel-framed types, a surveyor can tell you how it was built and what condition it's in. That's worth knowing before any big work on the walls.
Asbestos was used in building until 1999, so any home built before 2000 can contain some. In post-war homes it can turn up in garage roofs, soffits, floor tiles and textured ceilings. If something might contain it, leave it alone and get it tested by an asbestos surveyor before drilling, sanding or cutting.
Older wiring was often insulated with rubber, which perishes with age. An electrician can test the whole installation and tell you what they find.
Original metal windows can rust, though specialists can often refurbish them. The roof, the chimney and any flat roof on a garage or extension are a roofer's job.
Cavity walls in brick-built homes may or may not have been filled since. A surveyor or an insulation installer can tell you what's in yours.
Keep your post-war home's story
Add the survey, the certificates and every job as it's done. homehogs keeps your home's history in one place and reminds you when the next service is due.
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