San Esteban del Rey Mission at Acoma, NM — lead plate for the Q&A.
Frequently asked

Questions about adobe houses.

39 sourced answers covering Pueblo Revival, Santa Fe style, Territorial, adobe construction, vigas, parapets, costs, and where the country’s historic adobe houses are catalogued.

39 Questions
6 Categories
2026 Updated
Index

All questions

Architecture & style

  1. What are large exposed wood beams called in a Pueblo Revival house?
  2. What does a territorial house look like?
  3. What is Pueblo Revival architecture?
  4. What is Santa Fe architecture called?
  5. What is territorial architecture?
  6. What is the architectural style of Santa Fe?
  7. What is the difference between Pueblo style and Territorial Style?
  8. What makes a house an adobe house?

Identification

  1. What are Pueblo houses called?
  2. What do adobe houses look like?
  3. What does a Pueblo house look like?
  4. What is the difference between a Pueblo house and an adobe house?
  5. Where are adobe houses found in the US?

Materials & details

  1. Can vigas be used in modern homes?
  2. How are vigas installed?
  3. What are vigas and latillas?
  4. What does viga mean?
  5. What is a parapet?
  6. What is a viga?
  7. What is a viga ceiling?
  8. What is the best wood for vigas?
  9. What is the difference between stucco and adobe?

Cost & construction

  1. Are adobe houses cheaper to build?
  2. How much does an adobe brick cost?
  3. How much does an adobe house cost?
  4. How much is an adobe house?
  5. Is it cheaper to build an adobe house?

Preservation & policy

  1. How long do adobe bricks last?
  2. How long do adobe houses last?
  3. What is the lifespan of an adobe home?
  4. What states allow adobe houses?
  5. Why are people ditching adobe?
  6. Why don't we build houses out of adobe?
  7. Why is adobe illegal to build with?

Other

  1. Do adobe houses stay warm in winter?
  2. Is adobe stronger than brick?
  3. What are the disadvantages of adobe bricks?
  4. What are the downsides of adobe houses?
  5. What were adobe bricks made of?