Tulsa bungalows were very popular in the early 1900's. Tulsa neighborhoods are filled with bungalows. This style, based on simplicity, artistry and affordability, adapts quite well to contemporary lifestyles. There are, however, some basic rules to consider when remodeling a Bungalow.

Don't remove roof details or install light-colored shingles. When architectural trim such as braces and brackets droop, it's often because there are too many layers of shingles on the roof. A quick Fix is to cut them off and trim the roof back. While that eliminates the problem temporarily, it also eliminates much of the charm. We suggest re-roofing, using dark shingles. (Many bungalows originally had stained redwood shingles.) When bungalows are topped with light-colored shingles, the horizontal roof line fades into the sky.

Don't enclose the front porch. Doing so is like putting a bungalow in a straitjacket. The materials and windows rarely match the rest of the house. You also lose the transition from the outside to the inside, important because many bungalows don't have entry halls.

Don't replace porch details. The sturdy columns found on the front porches are an important feature of a bungalow. When they're replaced with spindly, Colonial-turned columns or lacy wrought iron, it throws off the balance of the houses. (The same goes for the porch railings, too.)

Don't replace original light fixtures, they can be rewired. If you have been told that your fixture cannot be repaired, find another repairperson.

Don't remove chimneys. Most bungalows have mock fireplaces originally outfitted with gas jets, and their chimneys appear superfluous. They may, however, still serve as flues for furnaces, water heaters, and stoves.

Many bungalow owners, in the name of energy conservation, replace wooden windows and doors with aluminum and steel. Modern windows, however, are usually smaller than the original openings. Consider rebuilding old windows or adding weather-stripping to the doors.

Bungalows were built with a variety of siding patterns and textures that stock aluminum and vinyl siding can't replicate. Siding, improperly applied, can trap moisture underneath and invite termites. A paint job, though not fun, should last for five to seven years if the surface is properly prepared and a high-quality paint is used.

Don't try to adopt a theme renovation. Once the natural character is stripped from the bungalow, the owners sometimes try and add some back with Victorian or Colonial shutters and woodwork.

Many Tulsa bungalows are built upon berms, with yards bordered with narrow, single-car driveways. In order to accommodate more cars, some owners pave their yards, "butchering and hacking" away at the yard to make a level surface. Scraping away the berms goes against the ideology created by urban planners such as Frederick Law Olmsted who, by building houses on berms, gave houses prominence over the street and over automobiles, it just messes up the whole way the house is sited towards the street.

Don't replace wood windows with non-wood windows (vinyl etc). We have heard many reports that window replacement companies claim that they will look the same. They are not the same. Consider your options such as energy panels added for efficiency.