What Are Houses in Florida Made Of? Top 5 Materials

When it comes to what houses in Florida are made of, concrete blocks are often the preferred choice. It handles hurricanes, termites, and flood conditions better than most, but there’s no one-size-fits-all. The right material depends on where, how, and why you’re building.

In Florida, what your home is made of is a survival decision.

We see it every season: wind that peels roofs like paper, storm surge that tests foundations, and relentless humidity that chews through the unprepared. 

So yeah, material matters, a lot. Every material has its place, its pros, and its blind spots. 

Every homeowner needs to know what they’re really getting into when choosing what their house is made of. This article covers 5 common materials used to build houses in Florida.

We’ll break them down for you and show you how each holds up in true Florida conditions. We’ll even walk through code changes that matter, and how to choose the right material for your location, your goals, and your peace of mind.

The 5 Most Common Materials Used in Florida Homes (Is Stucco One?)

Choosing the right building material in Florida is a decision that impacts safety, comfort, and long-term costs. Here’s a quick analysis of them boxed up for you before we jump into details of each one.

Material	Hurricane Resistance	Flood Performance	Termite Proof	Insulation Quality
CMU	High (with rebar)	Strong	Yes	Low without add-ons
Wood	Moderate (with strapping)	Weak	No	Moderate
ICF	Excellent	Excellent	Yes	Excellent
Modular	Varies	Varies	Depends	Moderate to High
Cracker	Low unless updated	Poor	No	High airflow

Now is the time to jump into details. Here’s how the five most common home-building materials perform in Florida conditions.

1. Concrete Block (CMU – Concrete Masonry Units)

Average price: $130–$160 per square foot

Concrete block is the workhorse of Florida construction. 

You’ll see it used everywhere from starter homes to multimillion-dollar beachfront properties. It performs well against high winds, floods, and termites, which makes it ideal for coastal zones and inland areas alike. 

It’s code-friendly, trusted by inspectors, and familiar to local trades, which means smoother permitting and faster builds.

Key features:

• High wind and water resistance
• Termite-proof
• Minimal maintenance
• Long lifespan
• Requires insulation upgrades for comfort

Performance review: CMU is durable and low-maintenance, especially when combined with insulation and proper design. Without thermal upgrades, though, these homes can feel warm inside during summer months.

FBC insight: Homes built after the 2002 Florida Building Code overhaul must have reinforced and fully grouted CMU walls. If your home was built before that, it’s worth checking whether retrofits have been added.

2. Wood Frame Construction

Average price: $100–$120 per square foot

Wood frame construction is fast, cost-effective, and flexible in design. 

It’s been a staple in homebuilding for generations and is especially common in inland areas where wind and flood risks are lower. 

Many two-story homes use CMU on the bottom and wood on the upper floors, blending affordability with acceptable storm performance when built to code.

Key features:

• Quick build time
• Lower upfront cost
• Highly customizable
• Susceptible to moisture, termites, and mold
• Needs tie-down hardware to meet code

Performance review: While wood framing has benefits, it doesn’t hold up as well in Florida’s climate unless you take extra steps, moisture protection, pest control, and strong storm strapping.

FBC insight: New builds must use hurricane-resistant hardware. But homes built pre-2002 often lack modern tie-downs, making them vulnerable in storms without retrofitting.

3. Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF)

Average price: $150–$180 per square foot

Why it’s common: ICF is gaining popularity fast, and for good reason. It combines structural concrete with high-performance foam insulation, creating walls that are hurricane-tough, energy-efficient, and extremely quiet. 

While the upfront cost is higher, long-term savings on energy and maintenance make ICF one of the best investments for homeowners who plan to stay and want peace of mind.

Key features:

• Hurricane, flood, fire, and termite resistant
• Superior insulation
• Airtight, quiet interiors
• Lower energy bills
• Qualifies for potential insurance savings

Performance review: ICF homes outperform nearly every other material in Florida. They’re cooler, safer, and quieter. We’ve had clients tell us they couldn’t hear a thunderstorm from inside.

4. Modular Construction (Pre-Fab)

Average price: $120–$160 per square foot

Modular construction offers a faster path to completion with consistent quality. These homes are built in climate-controlled environments, meaning fewer delays and less waste. 

When paired with storm-ready materials like ICF or reinforced CMU, modular builds offer strength without the long wait times of traditional construction.

Key features:

• Fast build timelines
• Factory-built precision
• Works well with ICF or CMU panels
• Varies in performance depending on quality
• Less weather delay during construction

Performance review: Quality depends heavily on the builder and materials. Low-end modular kits won’t make it through a serious storm, but modular ones done right, with reinforced cores and code-compliant framing, are strong and efficient.

What to know: We custom-build modular homes using hurricane-rated materials so clients get speed without compromising resilience.

5. Traditional Wood (Florida Cracker & Caribbean Style)

Average price: $130–$150 per square foot

These styles are coming back for their charm. 

With their tall ceilings, wide porches, and cross-ventilation, Cracker and Caribbean homes were designed to handle Florida’s heat before air conditioning. 

Today, homeowners are drawn to their character, but modern versions must include major upgrades to withstand Florida’s weather.

Key features:

• Designed for airflow and shade
• Historical or coastal aesthetic
• Often uses reclaimed wood
• Structurally weak unless reinforced
• High risk without modern upgrades

Performance review: They’re beautiful, but outdated construction alone won’t hold up in a hurricane. That’s why we reinforce the structure behind the aesthetic so you don’t have to trade charm for safety.

Retrofit tip: Add roof straps, seal the envelope, and upgrade materials inside the walls if you’re restoring or building this style from scratch.

Bonus: What About Stucco?

While it’s not a structural material, stucco is one of the most popular exterior finishes in Florida, and it’s worth mentioning here because it often gets mistaken as a core building material.
So let’s clear it up.

Stucco is a finish, a protective, cement-like coating that goes on the outside of your home. And in Florida, you’ll mostly find it applied over::

• CMU (Concrete Block)
• ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms)
• Sometimes wood frame, though with more caution

Stucco adds a smooth, clean look and can improve water resistance and fire protection, if installed over the right base. CMU and ICF are ideal surfaces. Over wood, it must be paired with drainage layers and flashing to prevent trapped moisture.

All that said, it’s time to act. The information above should assist you when time comes to build your house.

Here are some aspects to consider that’ll help you choose the perfect material for your house!

7 Smart Tips to Choose the Right Material for Your Florida Home

After building and rebuilding homes across Southwest Florida for nearly two decades, we’ve learned this: your material choice shapes everything, safety, comfort, energy bills, and how well your home holds up when storms roll in. 

Here’s how to get that choice right.

1. Know Your Zone

Start with your flood zone and wind exposure.

Coastal or low-lying areas? Go with CMU or ICF or top-tiered modular construction. Inland lots? You have more options, but don’t skip on wind resistance.

2. Think Beyond the Build Price

ICF costs more to build, but saves money over time in utilities, insurance, and repairs. Wood is cheaper up front, but may cost more long-term if storm damage or pests hit.

3. Ask: “Will This Withstand a Category 4 Storm?”

It’s a fair question, and a great filter for choosing both materials and builders. If a builder hesitates or deflects, that’s your answer.

4. Understand Code Isn’t Always Enough

Meeting Florida’s building code is the minimum, not the goal. That’s why we build beyond code because storms don’t check permits before they hit.

5. Consider a Hybrid Approach

Want strength and savings? Use CMU for the first floor, wood framing above. It balances protection and cost, especially in two-story homes.

6. Be Wary of Low-End Modular or Stucco-over-Wood Builds

Modular homes can be great, if they use reinforced materials like ICF or CMU. And if you’re considering stucco, remember: it’s only as good as what’s underneath.

7. Choose Materials Based on How You’ll Live

If you’re building your forever home, it’s best to invest in ICF, block, or high-end modular. If you’re selling in a few years a strong and code-compliant hybrid might make more sense. 

Florida Homes Are Built for Survival, If You Choose Right

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to building in Florida. Every lot is different. Every homeowner has their own budget, priorities, and timeline. 

But one thing we know is that the material you choose will shape how your home performs, especially when the weather turns.

Choosing between wood, CMU, ICF, modular, or a hybrid build is all about risk tolerance, insurance, future maintenance, and how long you plan to live in the home. 

There’s a right fit for everyone, but only if you’re asking the right questions and working with a builder who tells you the whole story.

If you’re building or rebuilding in Southwest Florida, start with resilience. 

Make decisions that protect your investment, your comfort, and your family. At Tri-Town Construction, that’s how we build, because this is our home too. 

And when the next storm comes, we want your home to still be standing proud.

👉 Contact us today or call  239-895-2058 home materials, and what’s realistic for your next home.