For over seven decades, split-level homes have significantly enhanced the lifestyles of Australian families residing in dense, suburban areas. Their distinct, multi-layered orientation distinguishes communal and private living spaces, enhances natural light, improves curb appeal, and provides sloping block residents with a home that integrates seamlessly with natural inclines. Indeed, split-level homes have impacted many Australians since the 1950s.
Are you considering a split-level house? As a trusted company specialising in Brisbane sloping block home designs, we’re here to guide and support you. This blog will explore eight essential facts about split-level homes to empower clients with knowledge and help them make sound, long-term buying decisions.
What Is a Split-Level Home?
A split-level home is a single-family residence with several floors linked together by several short stairways.
This house’s interior has several distinct living spaces. The entryway typically accommodates the main living area and kitchen while the top levels house the bedrooms, dens, and private rooms. Split-level houses usually have basements that accommodate recreational areas such as home gyms, game rooms, and family rooms. Some Australian families integrate garages into their basements to maximise space on dense suburban lots.
Split-level residence exteriors exude an asymmetrical aesthetic and boast mixed-material facades that add a touch of timeless elegance. Popular material combinations include stucco and wood cladding, brick and vertical material panels, fibre cement panels and natural stone. This timeless elegance is a hallmark of split-level homes, offering luxury, prestige, and functionality to potential buyers.
Split-level homes’ authenticity and elegance transcend generations, thanks mainly to their staggered floor plans. These houses resonate with families yearning for versatile living spaces that maximise limited land areas.
1) There Are 6 Types of Split-Level Homes
The six types of split-level homes include the following:
- Standard split-level homes: This version usually has three or four floors connected by several stairs. The main entryway leads to the living area, which has bedrooms on the upper floors and multiple living areas below. This setup clearly distinguishes public and private spaces, making them ideal for families with various lifestyles.
- Bi-level (split-entry) homes: As the term implies, this split-level home has two levels. The main entrance leads to an area with two stairways. The first flight of stairs leads up to the main living space and bedrooms, while the other one leads to the lower floor, which houses the family room, additional bedrooms, and a garage.
- Split-foyer homes: This design is similar to the bi-level setup. However, the former has a smaller entryway with identical upper and lower floor arrangements.
- Side-split homes: This house has two halves: one has two levels, the split side, and the other one has a solitary floor. The split side accommodates the bedrooms on the upper floor and the basement and garage on the lower level. On the other hand, the second half houses the living room and kitchen.
- Back-split homes: In this setup, the house’s front structure has one floor while the back structure has multiple levels. Although these residences mimic ranch-style homes, the rear edifice can occasionally accommodate at least three levels, making them suitable for large families residing in dense lots.
- Stacked split-level homes: This house has four or five levels and several stairways separating the kitchen, dining area, and bedrooms across multiple floors.
2) Split-Level Homes Became Popular in the 1950s
Designers conceptualised split-level homes in the 1930s. However, their popularity coincided with the growing post-World War II suburban population and economic boom. The rising number of people compelled designers to create housing innovations that accommodate large households on small lots.
Many people also left crowded metropolitan areas and settled in suburban neighbourhoods. This trend created a demand for cost-effective, functional, and modern housing solutions. Architects and builders obliged by integrating clean lines, open spaces, and staggered layouts into split-level homes that became game-changing innovations.
3) Split-Level Homes Are Still Popular In 2025
Nowadays, split-level homes aren’t as popular as they were during their heyday seven decades ago. Nevertheless, they resonate deeply with many Australians who reside in upscale suburban neighbourhoods and want bespoke homes that combine functionality and aesthetics.
4) They Integrate Seamlessly Into Inclined Surfaces
Split-level homes integrate seamlessly into inclined surfaces such as sloping blocks. Builders can construct these houses on natural contours, saving time and effort and avoiding arduous, lengthy excavations required for other residences. For these reasons, it’s not surprising to find many split-level homes in hilly, mountainous regions nationwide.
5) Split-Level Home Layouts Minimise Noise Among Floors
Split-level homes’ unique staggered orientation significantly minimises noise among various levels. They produce less noise than conventional ranch-style and bi-level homes, particularly in private areas and bedrooms. Homeowners prioritising quiet time can treat their split-level houses as their modern-day sanctuaries where they can relax and recalibrate.
Remember that no residence is 100% soundproof without professional assistance. The noise reduction depends on several factors, including wall thickness, vertical zoning, room placement, construction materials, openings, and stairway designs.
6) They Offer Homeowners More Privacy Than Conventional Homes
Split-level houses’ multi-level designs are a game-changer for Australian families who want peace and tranquility. Depending on your wall thickness and construction materials, you will enjoy privacy in one area while your family members connect and mingle in another section of the house.
Split-level homes’ quiet environment make them ideal for remote work and other tasks that require deep concentration. Homeowners who prefer staying home and enjoying quiet time will appreciate these throwback structures from the 1950s.
7) Climate Control Challenges Are Common
Although split-level houses’ staggered, multi-level orientation has several unique advantages, it also has several drawbacks, including climate control challenges. This multi-level arrangement creates heating and cooling issues at certain times of the year.
For instance, the upper levels can accumulate stifling heat in the summer and become brutally cold in winter. Maintaining consistent indoor temperatures can be challenging since many split-level houses have only one centralised HVAC system.
Nevertheless, homeowners can overcome this challenge by installing additional heating and cooling systems on each floor to evenly distribute the desired temperature throughout the interior.
8) Multiple Small Stairways Can Become Impediments
Multiple stairways connect split-level houses’ lower and upper floors, distinguish communal and private areas, and enhance indoor aesthetics. Unfortunately, stairs are a double-edged sword.
Stairways can impede the mobility of older people and toddlers living in split-level homes. Using multiple stairs daily can be burdensome even for the average adult, especially when doing chores.
For example, carrying laundry from the upper-floor bedroom to the lower-floor basement can be gruelling. Hence, many homeowners settle for conventional single-storey or two-storey residences instead of split-level homes.
On the other hand, many healthy and active families have no issues with split-level residences. They enjoy living in elegant, functional, and space-saving multi-storey structures that transcend generations.
Conclusion
Split-level homes have become a staple in many suburban Australian neighbourhoods since they emerged in the 1950s. Their multi-level layout creates distinct living areas, saves space, integrates seamlessly with sloping blocks, and adds a touch of elegance to modern suburban living. These timeless structures enhance curb appeal and lure potential buyers.
However, split-level homes have several drawbacks, including heating, cooling, and stairway challenges. Many split-level houses have outdated features that require major renovations, which can be daunting due to the multi-level arrangement.
As trusted Gold Coast sloping block home builders with nearly thirty years of valuable industry experience, we encourage homeowners considering split-level homes to carefully weigh their pros and cons before making a long-term decision. Knowledge is a powerful tool that can help them achieve this objective.
Contact us to discuss your split-level home needs. Our staff can schedule an on-site inspection and create a 100% upfront quotation for your needs and budget.
