Tiles invade wall fences

May 11, 2007

FIRST, it was plastering of the brick walls around residences; later coating the walls with half-bricks and marble became the fashion. Now, tiles are in vogue

FIRST, it was plastering of the brick walls around residences; later coating the walls with half-bricks and marble became the fashion. Now, tiles are in vogue, Chris Kiwawulo writes


Besides protection against intruders, fences tell a lot more about what is inside one’s residence. Gone are the days when tiles were only used in bathrooms, kitchens or sitting rooms. The trend has brought them on fence walls.

“A beautiful exterior look gives an impression about the interior. Therefore, a fence should appear as beautiful as the house or even better,” says Salongo Mugimba, an engineer.

“Tiles have been known for interior decoration partly because they are expensive, but now, the rich have brought them to fences,” Mugimba remarks.

Besides protection against intruders, fences tell a lot more about what is inside one’s house.

While building a fence, people nowadays tend to be a bit more conscious of the way it will come out and if it will be appreciated by passersby. Often times, especially when festive seasons are approaching, many people repaint their houses, let alone fences.

“Today, the rich people are going away from this stressful experience. With a tiled wall fence, one would only need to wash it once in a while to have it look glamourous as before,” Mugimba notes.

Josephine Nakitto of Accurate Plumbers on Market Street in Kampala advises that whoever chooses to use tiles outside the house, should opt for the rough type which have faded or dull colours.

Henry Ssenyonjo, an architect, says a house’s exterior décor depicts what is inside to give it a honourable appeal.

Paul Mpinga, a city architect and a compound designer, says the decoration of fences with expensive building materials like tiles is foreign.

“People have been bringing in foreign dress designs and the copying has gone to housing structures. People are bringing in foreign house plans from the UK and the US and now they have carried along the wall fence tiling,” he comments.

But he advises those intending to decorate their fences to first seek advice from qualified designers and architects to avoid incurring losses in cases where the designs are poorly executed.

Raymond Kato, a compound designer on Bombo road in Kampala, says a neatly-built fence and a well-kempt compound completes a striking look for any home. “Therefore, the two should go hand in hand,” he argues.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});