It is not uncommon to see different building materials used in different areas of the United States. This applies to the exterior walls of homes. However, in Florida, especially in the southern half of the state, it is common to see homes built with concrete block exterior walls.
Concrete block is heavier than wood framing.
A reinforced concrete block wall system creates fewer connection points than wood framing does. This may translate to fewer construction errors at the connections. Concrete block offers impact resistance to windborne debris. In south Florida, concrete block exterior walls either sit on a thickened concrete slab or on a concrete foundation wall. The roof structure, typically wood trusses, rests on top of the exterior wall.