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Property Plus Chennai Hyderabad Kochi Thiruvananthapuram
Detailing perfection in your house
The saying `God is in the details' is
very true as far as houses go. Let us say you have zeroed in on the property
and now want to get into the finer details. What are the things that you have
to check? Orientation Check out which side is North. I
don't mean only from vastu point of view. Generally speaking, the well-being
of the house and its occupants does depend on the orientation. If you happen
to live in Chennai, then it's good if the bedrooms have south-facing windows
so that you get good breeze. A kitchen facing east means a welcome morning
and refreshing sun. Bathrooms and
kitchen The most important areas to check
carefully are the bathrooms and the kitchen/utility areas. Usually this is
where you can assess whether the architect/builder have delivered a quality
product. Check the tile joints. Count the number of joints on the kitchen
counter — the lesser the better. In the bathrooms if the vertical and
horizontal joints are aligned (that is, respectively on wall and floor) —
it's the ultimate, as this exercise is a known teaser! See how the sink meets
the counter. If it is protruding on the counter you will have to spend a lot
of time cleaning the edges. For bathroom doors, insist on having
a security panel (a small wired opaque glass) so that in case of emergency it
can be broken to unlatch the door from outside. This will be especially
useful, if you have elderly people at home. Talking about the bathrooms, make
sure that wet and dry areas are clearly demarcated by a tile drop or a
threshold. Bathroom flooring should be of an anti-skid variety. Don't get
carried away by the glossy tiles — they are no good when you slip and fall! Windows and
doors See if the widow frames have
provision for fixing mosquito shutters. You will need them sooner or later.
In fact you can insist on the builder providing you with the mosquito
shutters. Check the spacing between the window grills. Don't make it big
enough to enable the intruder use his hands to open the latch. At the same
time it should not be too small to make you feel caged. Ensure that at least the master
bedroom (if not all bedrooms) has cross-ventilation. Very often it can be
easily done. Do not buy the builder/architect's argument about the
`elevation'. Remember, your house is more for living than for looking at. And usually a good plan and good
elevation does go hand-in-hand. Or, in architect's lingo `form follows
function'. Ensure that window frames have been
designed in such a way that you can fix the window air-conditioners. If not
get it modified before you move in. Utility Plan your laundry area. Most architect/
builders forget this essential feature. Surely you wouldn't want your drying
clothesline to hide your elevation, or worse, welcome your guests. If you
like to live on the top-floor penthouse, visit the terrace first. Examine the
quality of the tiles and water-proofing. See if the overhead tank is built in
such a way that there is a clear space between the terrace floor and the
bottom of the tank. If the waterproofing is not done properly, you will have
wet patches in the first monsoon. If possible wait for the first rainy season
till you give an `all clear' to the builder. Visualise the interior layouts in
bedrooms. Make sure that you have an earmarked cupboard space. Also make sure
that the fan is provided over the bed and not necessarily in the centre of
the room. Insist on modular switches with two
or three additional slots. We do tend to add more gadgets as we go along. In
bedrooms and hallways insist on having two-way control for lights and fans. Always make it a point to inspect the
overhead tank, the underground sump, the electrical panel room, generator and
the lift machine room. Even if you cannot assess the technical aspects, this
visit will give you a fair idea of the quality of overall workmanship and the
care the builder has taken. And these areas are as important as your own
living room — in fact they are the nerves of your home! Details To expand more on the theme of
"God is in the details'- look at the skirting. Skirting is the vertical
tile which is placed at the junction of the floor and wall. See how the
skirting tile meets the wall above. If it's flushed with the plaster you will
have an easy job of cleaning. Make sure the builder has not
provided you with any small cut tiles especially in the corners. It will make
even an expensive floor look cheap. Natural stone would be the best
option. Natural material will age better as compared to artificial tiles. Ensure that there is at least 1"
level difference between the balcony floor and the interior floor to prevent
water from entering your living space. Also insist on a sun-shade of minimum
2'6" for the balcony and terrace doors- for the same reason. Services If possible, other than the layout,
ask for the services drawing which shows the electrical concealed lines and
the plumbing lines. It will come in handy when you have to do repairs or
remodelling work later. Ask if the structure is designed as
per the earthquake zone IV requirement if it's in Chennai. Ideally the lintel
beams should be continuous on the external peripheral walls. In any case, it's a good thing to
have the structural drawings for your file. If you want to break the internal
walls for remodelling, this drawing will be very useful. Remember you can insist on many of
these things and you will be well within your rights. It is good to have South-facing
windows in Chennai to get good breeze. A kitchen facing East will be
welcomed by the morning rays of the sun. The lesser number of tile joints in
the kitchen, the better for cleaning the grime and dust collected. If you can align the vertical and
horizontal joints in the bathroom, it is an achievement. Insist on security panel on bathroom
doors. It helps in unlatching during emergencies. Demarcate the wet and dry areas in
the bathroom and make the flooring anti-skid. Window frames should have provision
for mosquito shutters. The frames also have to be designed
to accommodate window air-conditioners. Ensure that at least the master
bedroom has cross ventilation. Make sure your bedrooms have
earmarked cupboard space. Insist on modular switches, with tow
or three additional alots. Wait for the first rainy season
before the final coat of paint is given to the building. (The author is architect of the two Gold rated `Green
buildings' in the country) |
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