Difference Between Townhouse and Duplex

Townhouse vs Duplex

Townhouses and duplexes are different in their construction. A townhouse or town home is a row of houses attached to other houses. A duplex is a building having two units close to each other.

A duplex is two apartments having separate entrances. A townhouse is a dwelling place which accommodates several families.

A townhouse can also be called ‘terraced construction’ as it has terraces. On the contrary, duplexes do not come with terraces. The only important thing about a duplex is that it should have two entrances for two families.

A duplex is a two-story building adjacent to each other and separated by a common wall. A duplex can also be a building with two separate apartments with one above the other.

In a duplex, there could be only two families, but in a townhouse or row house or town home, there could be several families.

Another difference that can be seen between a duplex and a townhouse is in the ownership of the land. With a townhouse, the owners of each unit have the ownership of the land where the structure stands. On the other hand, there is only one ownership with a duplex.

Though two units form a duplex, it is sold only as a single piece. Townhouses are sold in an individual capacity.

Summary:

1. A duplex is two apartments having separate entrances. A townhouse is a dwelling place which accommodates several families.
2. A townhouse is also called ‘terraced construction’ as it has terraces. On the contrary, a duplex does not come with terraces.
3. With a townhouse, the owners of each unit have the ownership of the land where the structure stands. On the other hand, there is only one ownership in a duplex.
4. Though two units form a duplex, it is sold only as a single piece. Townhouses are sold in an individual capacity.