What is a McMansion?
Few homeowners would ever want to describe their home as a McMansion, but some of their neighbors who can no longer see the sun may be so inclined. The use of the term McMansion appears to have started in the 1980s, as more and more upper middle class families began seeking larger homes in the suburbs. A McMansion is generally described as an oversized home containing at least 3000 to 5000 square feet (279 to 465 square meters) of living space. A McMansion fills the gap between the smaller “starter homes” and the custom-built mansions found in exclusive neighborhoods. The allusion to the McDonald’s restaurant chain is important to understand when it comes to a McMansion. Much like the hamburger chain’s franchises, a McMansion could spring up anywhere at any time. Builders rarely consider factors such as local architectural traditions when contracted to build a McMansion. A 5000 square foot McMansion with numerous gables and boxy additions could appear next to a traditional ranch-style
