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Tudor Houses 
Tudor houses were generally made from oak frames, a plentiful, common material. The timbers were left their natural colour and not stained black or tarred as can be seen more recently on many Tudor builidngs today.
Tudor houses tended to be symmetrical in structure. Floor plans in the shape of a capital H or E were popular. Battlements disappeared and windows became larger as glass production became easier. The addition of light into the living space meant that more emphasis could be placed on comfort and less on defence.
The house was heated by open fires. The largest of which would also be used for cooking. A spit would be hung over the open fire for cooking meat, whilst bread and cakes would be laid in iron boxes laid on the fire or cooked in a brick oven set into the fire side.
Houses often contained an inner courtyard and the importance of gardens grew over this period. Flowers and herbs were both popular. Gardens were designed formally with walkways, and geometric beds, outlined by box hedges and topiary (Knot gardens.)
Passageways were relatively rare with rooms leading directly on from one another. The Tudor hallway was still the hub of the house where much of the daily activities took place. The development of a winter parlour served as a more private family room. Walls might be decorated with linen panels.
Large, wealthy houses might have had a long gallery, running the length of the house on the first floor. It was designed for ladies to walk sedately and safely, children to play games and for the wealthy art owner to display his collection of paintings, It might be reached via an ornately carved oak staircase.
Loft space was created to allow the servants somewhere to sleep.
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