Have you ever been curious about the colorful trusses and turrets seen on some of San Francisco's buildings? Would you like to know more about the architectural of style of your own home?

You may want to consult these sources:

• The National Association of REALTORS® offers a guide to "Home Types and Styles", a quick photographic reference for identifying almost two dozen kinds of American architecture, from Art Deco to Gothic to Victorian.
  
  
• The About.com Web site's "Architecture" subject area also provides a "House Styles" section, which links to diagrams, history and photos of a wide variety of architectural styles. In addition, the site contains a helpful "Architecture Glossary" and a "Forum" where you can submit questions.
  
  
• Finally, the Web site at PreservationDirectory.com offers an easy-to-use "Architectural Styles Photo Guide" to 18 types of residential architecture, from American Foursquare and Art Deco to Beaux Arts, Craftsman, Italian Renaissance, Neoclassical, and more.