What is Old Florida Style?

In Florida, you often hear the style or decor of a house referred to as “Old Florida style.” But, what does that mean? What design elements create an Old Florida style house? Is any house in Florida an Old Florida Style home? Actually, this term refers to something very specific. Let's answer all of these questions now!

 

Old Florida Style homes are characterized first and foremost by metal roofs. They also have raised floors and large porch areas. Many of these were wrapped around the entire home. If you imagine what it would have been like to live in Florida before the invention of air conditioning, you will know right away why they spent so much time sitting outside! These homes also have straight, central hallways from the front to the back of the home. Some houses even had a clerestory to improve the ventilation in the interior. All of these design elements were functional, rather than aesthetic. The entire style was developed in order to help keep the house as cool as possible.

 

It's interesting how Florida has its own style of home. In fact, people love it so much that they are copying it still to this day. The characteristics of these Old Florida Style houses have influenced many modern-day variations that are now more aesthetic, rather than functional. After all, we have central air conditioning now- thankfully! Nevertheless, these “new” Old Florida houses are reminiscent of Florida’s rich history when groups of immigrants began to settle in our amazing paradise we now call home.

 

There's also a bit of Spanish influence in Old Florida style since Old Florida was well, Spanish! If you look down in many of these homes, you will see Mexican tile. This is a form of terracotta floor tile or quarry tile. It's clay-based and made in Mexico. The tiles are made from clay dug out of the ground and fired to a temperature at which the clay undergoes chemical changes and becomes permanently hard. Then the tile is glazed and decorated by hand by skilled artisans. Afterwards, it is fired once again to give it its final finish. Most often, it is found is rich orange and brown hues. It's often cut to look very "natural" and not in perfectly-edge squares. Not only is it beautiful, it is functional- just like the other aspects of the Old Florida Style. Mexican tile is practical because it provides a long lasting surface that is easy to maintain. You see, it is extremely easy to clean and care for. If you have this type of flooring in your home, periodic professional Mexican tile restoration in Palm Beach is all it will take to restore it to its former glory. The same people who handle grout cleaning in Palm Beach can do this task as well.

 

If you love living the Florida life, you'll love living in an Old Florida Style home as well. A metal roof, a wraparound porch, and either Mexican tile installation or Mexican tile restoration in Palm Beach is all you need to get started perfecting this look.