Discover the world of architecture, inside out.
Clapboard house of the original New England settlers having two stories in front, a single story in the rear, and a double-sloped roof that is longer over the rear section. It arose from the tradition of locating the kitchen in a lean-to behind the house; the roof was simply extended over the lean-to, creating the characteristic long-in-back silhouette.
Find more information on saltbox. Upgrade to Britannica Online for more on saltbox.