Transform Your Levittown Home with Color-Coordinated Masonry That Honors Its Iconic Heritage
When Abraham Levitt and his two sons, William and Alfred, broke ground on a planned community located in Nassau County, Long Island in 1947, they transformed former farmland into a suburban community housing thousands of men—many of whom were veterans returned from World War II—and their families. Today, homeowners in this historic community face a unique challenge: how to enhance their properties with masonry improvements that complement rather than clash with Levittown’s distinctive architectural legacy.
Understanding Levittown’s Architectural DNA
In all, 17,447 homes were constructed in Levittown between 1947 and 1951. The Cape Cod model featured 750-square-foot Cape Cods with two bedrooms, one bath, a kitchen, a living room and a staircase to an unfinished attic. Homebuyers could choose from one of five colors and one of five window-arrangement patterns. The Rancher model was larger, 32 by 25 feet, and more modern than the Cape Cod.
These homes weren’t just mass-produced housing—they were carefully designed with influences from Frank Lloyd Wright’s prairie style architecture. Alfred was responsible for the compact, yet efficient, open, and flexible home plans with features often inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s prairie style houses. This architectural heritage creates a foundation that demands thoughtful material selection for any masonry project.
The Art of Color Coordination in Masonry
Successful masonry projects begin with understanding color relationships. Color cast describes the colors of stone, brick, roofing, or other hardscape materials. Generally, these surfaces are not a solid color but a mix of colors. To say these materials are a single color would not do them justice since the beauty is in the depth and variations of colors.
For Levittown homes, this principle is particularly important. When choosing colors for your stone home exterior, find paint or materials that blend with or complement the stone’s predominant colors or overall color cast. All the colors in a scheme must harmonize with the stone to create the best look.
Material Selection for Levittown’s Classic Styles
The Cape Cod and Ranch styles that define Levittown require specific masonry approaches:
- Cape Cod Homes: These houses feature a low, rectangular structure with a steep gabled roof, central chimney, and symmetrical facade. Materials like shingle siding complement the classic look, making Cape Cod homes both functional and visually appealing. For masonry accents, consider warm fieldstone or traditional red brick that echoes the home’s New England heritage.
- Ranch Homes: They were something entirely new – purposefully designed for casual indoor-outdoor living with its open floor plan, semi-enclosed patios, and extensive use of glass doors and large windows to bring the outdoors in. These homes benefit from contemporary stone veneers and clean-lined concrete masonry units that emphasize horizontal lines.
Creating Harmony Through Strategic Color Choices
Professional masonry contractors understand that play up their differences instead of trying to disguise them, including color. Color variation – whether dramatic or subtle – can help draw the eye and add dimension, and help designs from falling flat.
For Levittown homes, consider these proven combinations:
- Warm earth tones like terracotta brick paired with beige fieldstone, creating that cozy, lived-in feel
- Cool contemporary looks using charcoal brick with bluestone are perfect for homeowners who want something more modern
- Classic combinations like red brick with limestone trim never go out of style
The Role of Professional Expertise
Selecting the right materials requires more than aesthetic sense—it demands technical knowledge. Moisture management becomes especially important with mixed materials since brick and stone can have different absorption rates and drainage needs. We address this during the design phase to prevent problems down the road.
When planning your masonry project, working with experienced suppliers becomes crucial. For Long Island homeowners, finding a reliable masonry supply levittown source ensures access to materials that understand the local architectural context and climate demands.
Your Partner in Preserving Levittown’s Legacy
Jos.M.Troffa Materials Corporation is a premier landscape and masonry supply company. Located in the town of Setauket, we have been expertly servicing both commercial and residential customers throughout Long Island since 1972. The staff at Jos M Troffa is committed to providing their clients with the very best services possible. From help selecting products to the delivery of supplies, their crew will work with you every step of the way to ensure that all of your needs are met. The friendly and knowledgeable sales associates at Jos M Troffa go above and beyond to ensure that you have the best experience and get the highest quality products possible.
Their 8-acre site is chock-full of the finest quality masonry supplies, such as paving stones, gravel, retaining walls, bricks, and stone veneers. These materials come from some of the best names in the masonry industry, including EP Henry Pavers, Belgard, Libertystone Pavers, General Shale, Endicott, and Gleny-Gery. They also carry a wide selection of sizes, colors, textures, and shapes, so no matter what type of look you are trying to create, you can be sure that you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for.
Planning Your Color-Coordinated Masonry Project
Success in masonry coordination requires careful planning. We strongly recommend that a pre-construction sample panel be made incorporating actual job site materials and construction methods in instances where color accuracy is critical. This approach is particularly valuable for Levittown homes, where maintaining architectural integrity while adding personal touches requires precision.
Consider these practical steps:
- Evaluate your home’s existing color palette and architectural features
- Select materials that enhance rather than compete with your home’s character
- Plan for proper drainage and weatherproofing specific to Long Island’s climate
- Work with suppliers who understand local architectural heritage
By choosing materials that honor Levittown’s architectural heritage while meeting modern performance standards, homeowners can create masonry features that feel both timeless and contemporary. Whether you’re planning a new patio, updating your home’s facade, or creating outdoor living spaces, the right color-coordinated approach ensures your investment enhances both your property’s value and its connection to this iconic community’s remarkable history.