Differences between a detached house, a terraced house, and a semi-detached house – which one to choose?

05.09.2025

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Differences between a detached house, a terraced house, and a semi-detached house – which one to choose?

Many clients who are ready to move from an apartment to a house wonder: what exactly is the difference between a terraced house and a semi-detached house? And how does it differ from a detached house? What types of single-family houses exist? Not everyone knows about construction – and they don’t have to. The most important thing is to find a house that provides the family with space, privacy, and comfort.

On the real estate market, you will most often find semi-detached and terraced houses – they offer the best balance between price and comfort. See how they differ and which solution will be right for you.

What is the difference between a detached house and a terraced house?

A detached house is a solution for people with a very large budget – it offers the greatest privacy, your own plot all around, and no neighbors sharing walls. But – such independence comes at a price. A detached house has the highest purchase and maintenance costs. In winter, you heat all the walls yourself, and the plot requires more time and effort – e.g., raking leaves or shoveling snow. All repairs and renovations are also the sole responsibility of the owner, unlike in estates with terraced or semi-detached housing, where some matters are organized by the community. It’s worth adding, however, that although very rare, developers also offer estates with detached houses. In that case, you gain maximum privacy while still enjoying the comfort of a community that takes care of shared areas and some repairs. An example of this is selected houses in the Wille przy Lesie by Novisa estate – a combination of the independence of a detached house with the comfort of life in a modern estate.

A terraced house, on the other hand, offers very similar benefits – your own garden, separate entrance, independence from a shared staircase – but at a much more attractive price. Thanks to the compact construction, the purchase cost is much lower, and heating bills are smaller, since part of the heat is “shared” through the neighboring walls.

Example of terraced houses in Sulejówek – Osiedle Słoneczne

What are the differences between a terraced house and a semi-detached house – semi-detached vs terraced

This is the most common question buyers ask.

A semi-detached house is a great compromise – you have only one neighbor sharing a wall and often a corner garden that gives a sense of more space. You keep more privacy than in a terraced house, but still benefit from a better price and lower maintenance costs compared to a detached house.

A terraced house, in turn, is the most popular option – thanks to its compact layout, it’s even cheaper than a semi-detached. Each unit has its own entrance and garden as well as a garage or driveway. Modern designs include solutions that improve acoustics, so noise from neighbors is not a nuisance. It’s a good choice for families who want to enjoy the advantages of a house while keeping costs under control.

Example of a semi-detached house estate near Warsaw - Zielono Mi estate

Is it worth buying a terraced house from a developer?

Yes – especially if you care about a reasonable price, your own garden, and good access to the city center. Houses from developers have the advantage of being modern, well insulated, and designed to make the most of space.

By buying a terraced house in a new estate, you also get an aesthetic landscape-architect-designed environment, new roads and sidewalks, and often additional amenities – playgrounds, parcel lockers, or a kindergarten, like in the Nova Magdalenka 7 estate.

How much does a semi-detached house near Warsaw cost?

Prices of semi-detached houses start at around 600–650 thousand PLN (at the Nova Magdalenka 7 estate by Novisa Development). This is much less than a detached house, while you still get a private garden, garage or parking space right at the entrance, and definitely more privacy than in an apartment block.

Summary – differences between a detached house, a terraced house, and a semi-detached house

Each type of house has its strengths – they differ in price, garden size, and level of privacy. Here are the main differences in a nutshell:

- Detached house = maximum privacy, highest price, most expensive to maintain
- Semi-detached = only one neighbor, corner garden, compromise between price and privacy
- Terraced house = most attractive price, private garden, neighbors on both sides (except for end units)

Regardless of the choice, each of these houses offers something that an apartment block does not – your own space, a garden, and the freedom most families dream of.

FAQ

1. What are the differences between a terraced house and a semi-detached house?
Semi-detached – only one shared wall, more privacy, often a larger plot.
Terraced – two shared walls (except for end units), slightly smaller garden, but a more attractive price.

2. Is it better to buy a detached house or a terraced house?
A detached house is a luxury that few can afford. A terraced house is a solution that allows you to enjoy a house in Warsaw or its surroundings without overpaying.

3. How much does a house near Warsaw cost?
Here are some examples of houses with gardens from Novisa Development:
- Nova Magdalenka 7 – house with 65 m² of total space, 28 m² garden, and two parking spaces – 649,000 PLN.
- Zielono Mi estate – house with 76 m² of total space, 61 m² garden, and two parking spaces – 779,000 PLN.
- Osiedle Słoneczne – house with 68 m² of total space, 81 m² garden, and two parking spaces – 689,000 PLN.