Lowcountry New Home Vocabulary Guide: Decoding the Lingo

   

Across our nation, regional architecture is both influenced by and influences the local culture. New England boasts the Cape Cod style, while Manhattan is known for its iconic Brownstones. Baltimore is characterized by its row houses. The Midwest is dominated by mid-century modern homes, many reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright's designs from the 1950s. In Arizona and New Mexico, the pueblo revival or Santa Fe-style dominates. Both California and Florida display a strong Spanish influence, evident in the clay tile roofs and stucco exteriors. The Lowcountry, celebrated for its rich architectural legacy, is most recognized for the Charleston single house.
 

Charleston Single House:  The Charleston Single House stands as a distinct and iconic architectural style seen predominantly in Charleston, South Carolina, and across various parts of the Lowcountry. Its design addresses the region's hot climate and slim lots, showcasing a blend of function and sophistication. Positioned with its slender end towards the street and its elongated side running perpendicular, the Single House not only offers its residents privacy but also carves out ample space for gardens or courtyards. Such design grants residents a private haven amid city settings, underlining the emphasis on comfort and living quality. More than a mere symbol of the city's rich past, this structure salutes the brilliance of early settlers who flawlessly combined aesthetics with utility.
 

Lowcountry: The Lowcountry spans the southeastern region of South Carolina, covering eleven counties: Beaufort, Charleston, Berkley, Colleton, Dorchester, Hampton, Jasper, Allendale, Bamberg, Orangeburg, and Calhoun. The name "Lowcountry" reflects its geographic position below the Fall Line, where the mountains' hard rock meets the coastal plain's softer sand. Most of the Lowcountry lies at an elevation of around 270 feet above sea level, compared to the state's higher average of approximately 350 feet. This means the region is not only situated in the state's lower part but also has a lower elevation relative to the water.
 

Haint Blue - More than Just a Color: At first glance, the soft shade of blue, often found painted on the ceilings of Lowcountry porches, seems like a mere decorative choice. However, 'Haint Blue' carries with it a blend of folklore and practicality. Legend has it that this color would keep away "haints" or restless spirits, offering protection to the home's inhabitants. Beyond the spiritual, this shade of blue also had a practical purpose. It was believed to deter insects, making evenings on the porch more pleasant.
 

Elevated Foundation/Piling: Many Lowcountry homes are elevated. This design isn't just for aesthetics, it serves a crucial purpose. Given the region's proximity to water and its flat topography, flooding is a concern. Raising homes helps prevent water damage during floods and promotes airflow beneath the house, aiding in cooling. Homes with raised foundations have a distinct benefit: they make installing and accessing plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems more straightforward. This design means foundational work can go on uninterrupted, even when tasks such as wiring, and duct installation need immediate attention in slab-on-grade foundations. While homes built this way may cost more due to extra materials and labor, a properly insulated crawl space can lead to energy savings, trimming down your utility bills. Homes with raised foundations usually have crawl spaces that elevate them about 18 inches above the ground. Houses constructed on pilings, which can be made of wood, steel, or concrete, are anchored deeply into the soil. This ensures stability, even on unpredictable terrains.
 

Double Piazzas: A "piazza" in the Lowcountry refers to a long, expansive porch. Many Lowcountry homes feature "double piazzas", which means they have two stacked porches, one on top of the other, often extending the length of the house. These porches offer shaded outdoor space to enjoy the view and the breeze.
 

Lanai: A lanai is a term that originally comes from Hawaii and refers to a type of porch or veranda with a concrete or stone floor, often located at the rear of a dwelling, and usually furnished for outdoor living. It can be screened or unscreened, offering a comfortable space to enjoy the outdoors while providing some shelter from the elements. In the Lowcountry of South Carolina, the concept of the lanai is embodied in the tradition of porches, patios, and outdoor living spaces.
 

Hurricane Shutters: Given the region's susceptibility to hurricanes, many homes are equipped with functional wooden shutters. These can be closed and bolted during storms to protect windows from breaking due to flying debris.
 

Heart Pine Floors: Many historic Lowcountry homes feature floors made from heart pine, which is the dense inner portion of the pine tree. This wood was abundant in the region and is known for its durability and rich, warm hue.
 

Double Hung Windows: In regions like the South, double hung windows are both stylish and functional. These windows can be opened either from the top or the bottom, offering flexibility in directing airflow and managing room temperatures.  When the top part is opened, it expels warm air. For an influx of cooler air, just open the bottom section. This energy-saving design is increasingly becoming a hallmark of eco-friendly living.
 

Widow's Walk: Often seen atop homes in coastal regions, including the Lowcountry, the Widow's Walk is a railed rooftop platform. Traditionally, widow's walks served as vantage points. Sea captains' wives would watch and wait for ships to return from voyages. Today, they offer stunning views of Charleston's landscapes and serve as serene spots for relaxation or evening gatherings. Homebuilders in the Charleston area understand the allure of widow's walks and many modern homes often blend this classic feature with contemporary designs, ensuring safety, and enhancing aesthetic appeal.
 

Tabby - The Oyster Shell Concrete: When you think of building materials, oyster shells might not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, in the Lowcountry, a unique type of concrete called "Tabby" was created using just that. Comprised of oyster shells, sand, lime, and water, Tabby became a staple in early Lowcountry homes. Its popularity was driven by both its abundant availability, with the region being rich in oyster beds, and its remarkable durability. Today, many historic buildings showcasing tabby construction stand as a testament to its longevity.
 

HardiePlank or Hardie Board: Living by the coast has its perks: the soothing sound of waves, the fresh salty air, and the promise of beautiful sunsets. However, it also comes with its own set of challenges, particularly when it comes to home exteriors. Hardie Plank, commonly referred to as Hardie Board, is a composite material that is robust, resilient, and fast becoming the first choice for homeowners and builders who prioritize both longevity and aesthetics. Mimicking the look and feel of wood grain, the product delivers the charm of traditional wood without its accompanying vulnerabilities. Moreover, its resistance to fading means that the homes cloaked in Hardie Board retain their vibrant hues year after year.
 
At its core, Hardie Plank is a fiber cement siding. A unique blend of cement, sand, and cellulose fibers, it promises durability unparalleled by traditional wood or vinyl sidings. While wood can rot and is vulnerable to pests, and vinyl can melt or warp under extreme temperatures, Hardie Board stands steadfast against these challenges.
 

Clapboard Siding: A common exterior treatment in the Lowcountry, clapboard (or weatherboard) siding consists of wooden boards, thinner at the top edge, overlapped to shield the home from rain and moisture. Its widespread use speaks to the area's wood abundance and the siding's practical efficiency.
 

Broad Eaves and Overhangs: Many Lowcountry homes feature broad eaves and overhangs, protecting the interiors from the harsh summer sun while letting in the low winter sunlight. This design provides both shade and shelter from rain, allowing windows to be left open even during light rain showers.
 

Finished Room Over the Garage (FROG): In today's evolving housing market, space is not just a luxury—it's a necessity. One of the innovative solutions homeowners are turning to is the FROG, or "Finished Room Over the Garage." Typically integrated into the home's primary structure, a FROG is accessed via a staircase leading from the main house. This arrangement offers a seamless flow, ensuring the room doesn't feel isolated from the rest of the abode. Yet, the magic of a FROG often lies in its versatility. Some homeowners and designers have taken the liberty to provide this space with its own external entrance—turning it into an independent unit or Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). This could serve as a guest room, a rental unit, or even a home office, catering to the increasing demand for work-from-home setups.
 

Shotgun House: This narrow, rectangular domestic residence, usually no more than 12 feet wide, has rooms arranged one behind the other and doors at each end of the house. The name 'shotgun house' suggests that if one were to fire a shot from the front doorway, it would exit directly out the rear doorway. This design promotes airflow, a necessity in the hot and humid Lowcountry climate. There are numerous examples of shotgun style homes throughout historic Charleston. Many of the freedman’s cottages built in the years after the Civil War were this style. Most of them are very small, small enough to qualify as tiny houses with generally less than 500 square feet. 
 

Dogtrot House - Breezeway Beauty: The Dogtrot house is a hallmark of ingenious design that addresses the hot and humid climate of the Lowcountry. These homes are divided into two sections, separated by a breezeway or "dogtrot." This design serves a dual purpose. Not only does the breezeway allow for optimal airflow, cooling the home in the sweltering summers, but it also provides a shaded outdoor living space where families can gather.
 

Breakaway Walls: A wall that is not part of the structural support of the building and is intended through its design and construction to collapse under specific lateral loading forces, without causing damage to the elevated portion of the building or supporting foundation system. Special consideration is made in the architecture of homes in areas at higher risk of flooding.  At the beach or in areas rated as high risk V Zones [Coastal flood with velocity hazard (wave action); no base flood elevations determined] elevated homes have breakaway walls in the areas underneath the house per FEMA guidelines. Such walls are designed to give way to flood surges without damaging the house.
 

Formal vs. Organic Landscaping: In the vast world of landscaping, two styles stand prominent: the meticulous formal and the untamed organic. Strolling through southern estates, one may observe the regimented charm of formal landscaping. It often boasts iconic plants like azaleas, camelias, hydrangeas, rose bushes, and jasmine. The landscaping is defined by its straight lines and precise angular shapes, meticulously designed to frame pathways, and add captivating visual symmetry.
 
On the other hand, organic landscaping draws its inspiration from the wild heart of the Lowcountry. Given the ever-evolving nature of the region's wild marshes, many homeowners lean towards a style that mirrors this unrestricted beauty. Rather than imposing a rigid design, this style allows nature to take its course. Occasional trims ensure manageability, but largely, the vegetation is free, growing and changing according to nature's whims.
 

Live Oaks & Spanish Moss: While not an architectural term per se, no discussion of the Lowcountry landscape is complete without mentioning the majestic live oak trees draped with Spanish moss. The presence of these trees on a property is often considered a quintessential Lowcountry characteristic. They provide shade, beauty, a sense of history and are long lasting hearty trees. The famed Angle Oak on Johns Island is a magnificent Live Oak estimated to be between 400 – 500 years old.
 

Building or buying a home in the Lowcountry is about more than square footage or room counts. It's about embracing a legacy of artful design woven seamlessly with function, tailored to the very land and climate it sits upon. For those fortunate enough to call this region home, or for those just starting their journey here, understanding and appreciating the Lowcountry lingo is a step into a world where architecture dances gracefully with history, culture, and the breathtaking beauty of nature.
 

 
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