Longhouses

During the Viking Age, most dwellings were longhouses (langhús). These were long, rectangular buildings used for living, working, and often housing livestock. Construction methods varied based on local resources:

• In forested areas, wood was the primary building material.
• Where wood was scarce, stone or turf was used instead.
• Some longhouses had stone base walls for stability.
• Turf walls—cut blocks of sod stacked like bricks—were common in treeless regions.
• Roofs were sometimes made of turf, creating a living grassy roof that blended with the landscape.

Longhouses varied greatly in size:

• Small homes might be around 15 feet wide and 50 feet long.
• Wealthier families might build longhouses up to 25 feet wide and 250 feet long.

These large dimensions were practical rather than luxurious. In addition to sheltering people, longhouses often housed livestock indoors, especially during winter. A walled-off section for animals was common, but in some homes, animals might roam freely through part of the structure.

Most longhouses had a single large room with minimal internal walls. Features typically included:

• A long central firepit, used for heat, cooking, and light.
• Benches along the walls for sleeping and working.
• Movable tables placed where needed.
• Very few people had traditional beds—furs and blankets served as bedding.

Larger homes might have a few separate rooms, but even in those cases, open space was the norm.

• Hurstwic on Longhouses — Detailed reconstructions and cultural context
• Life in Norway: Viking Longhouses — A clear and concise overview
• Vikings History: Overview of Culture and History — Broad cultural background useful for worldbuilding