Achieving the Lowcountry Look on the Exterior of Your Custom Home
Serene landscaping. Charming exterior shutters. Idyllic indoor/outdoor spaces. On the South Carolina coast—especially in communities like Palmetto Bluff—homes are renowned for showcasing a signature look that exudes southern charm. One of the biggest benefits of building a custom home, of course, is the ability to choose between a nearly endless number of design options. Today, our goal is to help you narrow down those options just a bit by covering key design features that make Lowcountry homes one-of-a-kind.
Ready to achieve the Lowcountry look on the exterior of your custom home? Keep reading!
Weatherproof Roofs
Although the Lowcountry is known for having beautiful weather year-round, living on the coast means you’ll need to ensure your home is built with materials that can withstand high humidity as well as intense rainfall and wind during hurricane season.
Since your roof serves as the first line of defense against the elements, it’s important to choose roofing materials that can stand up to the task.
Metal - Metal roofs are a classic Lowcountry home staple for multiple reasons. They look great, are low-maintenance, and last for many years! Metal roofs are also a signature attribute of homes in Palmetto Bluff.
Wood Shingles or Shakes - Many coastal homes feature wooden shingles or shakes. Shakes are typically thicker and rougher than shingles, but both are equally matched in how well they stand up to the elements. Wood shingles and shakes are often made with durable materials such as red cedar and teak, both of which can stand up to strong winds and remain resistant to rot and mold with regular maintenance.
Hardie Siding
A home built near the coast requires durable siding that’s resistant to moisture and maintains a pleasing appearance year after year.
Some of our favorite James Hardie siding selections include Artisan lap siding, board and batten siding, and Aspyre bevel channel siding. Check out how we combined all three of these in a custom Lowcountry home here! Complete the look by adding complementary exterior shutters in your favorite coastal hue.
Savannah Grey Brick
Savannah grey bricks have been used as a material for southern coastal homes and buildings since the early 1800s. They were originally hand-made from grey clay, meaning each brick had unique details that couldn’t be replicated anywhere else.
However, because grey clay deposits were limited, and creating individual bricks took a lot of time, production had slowed significantly by the start of the Civil War. Today, Savannah grey brick is harder to come by and is often only available as reclaimed material, though a few vendors still offer hand-molded bricks.
Because Savannah grey brick is limited in availability, you won’t find many custom Lowcountry homes primarily built with the material. However, the brick is still coveted as a decorative accent and can often be found on front porch steps, the base of columns, mudroom floors, or exterior fireplaces in the Lowcountry.
Screened Porches
A classic Lowcountry home staple is the screened porch, which is often outfitted with fans and an outdoor brick or tabby fireplace to keep you comfortable throughout the year. Adding a TV and entertainment system is a popular choice for bringing a bit of the indoors out!
Screened porches allow residents to enjoy the beautiful Lowcountry flora and fauna right from the comforts of home without worrying about pesky gnats and mosquitoes. Porches can also be built to be more enclosed, allowing for the installation of hurricane shutters around the perimeter. This provides flexibility and is a great way to keep your decking and outdoor furnishings safe all year round.
Outdoor Zones
Your home’s design shouldn’t end at the porch! Many Lowcountry homes feature fantastic outdoor zones that the entire family can enjoy on a gorgeous day. Consider adding any of these popular features to your custom build:
Porch Swings - Whether installed on your front, side, or back porch, a porch swing is a classic addition to any Lowcountry home.
Outdoor Kitchen - Set up a grilling station and dining area and enjoy your favorite South Carolina staples in the open air.
Pool with Pool Bar - Get your guests excited about your next shindig by incorporating a pool and bar to entertain with ease.
Fire Pit - Set up camp, stargaze, roast oysters or marshmallows—an outdoor fire pit allows you to enjoy nature while remaining just a few steps away from the comforts of home.
Landscaping
The Lowcountry is surrounded by maritime forests, inland waterways, and pristine marshlands. Why not play up the connection to nature by incorporating a little greenery into your property to enjoy all year long?
Here are some popular landscaping choices for custom Lowcountry homes:
Grass Inlays - Rather than create a solid concrete, brick, or gravel walkway, consider installing concrete pavers or tiles and allowing space for grass inlays to achieve a gorgeous modern look.
Trellises with Vines - Trellises are ideal for separating outdoor living zones and creating more privacy.
Shade Trees - Beat back the heat with lawn and shade trees—white and green ash, river birch, red maple, and longleaf pine are all great choices.
Flowers - Plant coastal varieties of flowers such as marigolds, lilies, phlox, lantanas, and hollyhocks to give your yard a pop of color.
