What Is a Duplex Apartment? What You Should Know

While you may have a life goal to have a single-family home detached from others, depending on your city’s density and real estate prices, it may be hard to accomplish. 

A duplex apartment utilizes a floor plan similar to a single-family house at a more affordable price and usually has additional features compared to a normal or condo (link) including potential outdoor space that is partially private. 

Duplex apartments can be the perfect option for some families and other types of roommates. Let’s dive into what a duplex apartment means for you.

What Is a Duplex?

Overall, a duplex is a multi-family home with two units that share a wall so they comprise the same building. There can be a variety of floor plans and the two units can either be on top of one another or side by side. Each unit has its own entrance and there is no doorway between units. Outdoor space is either shared or there is some sort of barrier between the two outdoor spaces. 

A building that is a duplex has one owner, who either can live in one of the units or rent out both. 

Multiple Definitions of Duplex

While we just defined duplex above, it can have specific meanings in certain areas like New York City, where duplex means a single apartment that spans two levels and usually has stairs in the apartment, but that’s not the definition we are using.

Also, duplex buildings are often confused for twin homes, but they are not the same. A duplex is one building with two units on a single lot, but twin homes are smaller homes on two separate lots that share a common wall. 

What is the Difference Between an Apartment and a Duplex?

The main differences between duplexes and apartments are ownership and number of units. Duplex buildings are usually owned by a single person, who may live in the units, but apartment buildings are usually owned by a more professional group or corporation (with a lot of exceptions). Also, a duplex is a unit in a two-unit building, but an apartment can have any number of units in an apartment building. 

The Pros and Cons of a Duplex

• Pros:

  • In major cities with a lot of density (think New York City, Chicago, and San Francisco), detached single-family homes are a luxury most can’t afford due to supply constraints and demand so a duplex can be a great home option for potential buyers. They are more widely available and more affordable compared to detached single-family homes. Compared to an apartment, a duplex usually offers more privacy as you only share a building with one other unit instead of a lot of other residents. 

• Cons:

  • You lose out on full private outdoor space with a duplex compared to a detached single-family home. Compared to an apartment, you potentially have to do the repairs and maintenance yourself usually if you own your duplex unit. 

Conclusion: Should You Pick a Duplex? 

Duplex units can be a great idea for a lot of individuals and families who don’t want to be in a large apartment building, but can’t afford or don’t need a single-family detached home. They usually come with some outdoor space, which is a luxury any apartment renter is envious of. 

If you are looking for a shared house with roommates, Alcove might be the right option for you so check out our listings!