Southern Traditional Styles: Where Polymeric Exteriors Fit Nicely in the 'Old Meets New' Design Trends

By Don Browne

It’s an exciting time for new and remodeled homes and neighborhood projects in the South.

Thanks to the tall windows and ceilings of the traditional Southern style, more contemporary interior designs are possible. But the striking exterior design of the Southern tradition allows for the eclectic opportunities that can be featured inside.

More than a style, the Southern is a family of styles inherited from Europe, the East Coast and the French revival, and adapted for hot, humid climates. This is best captured in Chapter 2 of Architectural Design for Traditional Neighborhoods (by architectural design experts and authors Korkut Onaran, Fernando Pagés Ruiz, Ronnie Pelusio and Tom Lyon), which has a dedicated section on Southern Traditional, starting on page 30. It includes prototypes of the Charleston Side Yard Building, Creole Cottage and Townhouse styles, and the Shotgun House.

Perhaps the most significant distinction of the southern traditional designs from their “chunky” or “blockish” cousins of the Northeast are the more elevated outdoor spaces that make way for deep overhangs, double or two-story galleries, and large verandas that provide shade cover for a significant portion of the exterior – a must for hot and humid climates.

In addition to the practical purpose, the Southern traditional approach allows designers to use ornate brackets to support large overhangs, accented column capitals and bases, decorative balustrades and other delicate features in their next project.

Vinyl siding and other polymeric exterior products are already trendy for southern home projects. They are known for their durability and weatherproofing for both the heat and humidity, and for withstanding wind events in coastal areas. It’s also their design advantages that make these products ideal for southern homes and traditional neighborhood projects. They include an enormous selection of emulated stone and stucco products, wood clapboards and polymeric versions of the above mentioned ornate exterior products so you can combine beauty with function, performance and greater cost efficiencies.

Visit the PEPA website to learn more about available polymeric exterior products for your next Southern traditional project.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Don Browne is a writer, entrepreneur and local legislator who believes that the power of words can change the world. He provides unique writing services for clients in the construction, health care, IT and hospitality sectors. He has a passion for small business and start-ups, as well as writing about Irish history, family and corporate biographies. As a homeowner and father of four who is passionate about community development, Don looks forward to writing more about the exciting possibilities of creating traditional neighborhoods and more sustainable communities using modern materials.