Ideas on how to finish your house

Apr 08, 2015

There are so many ways to finish a house. To create an interior or exterior that stands out, many people are moving away from the conventional bricks, plaster and paint finish.

By Umar Nsubuga                                                            

There are so many ways to finish a house. To create an interior or exterior that stands out, many people are moving away from the conventional bricks, plaster and paint finish.

More people are experimenting with different materials and styles for both interior and exterior finishes.

Steven Magalu a resident of Kiwatule a suburb in Kampala says "My house has paint inside and, rough cast and face bricks, as its exterior finish. The balcony is painted; below the window are face bricks while the rest of the wall is covered in rough cast.

Angella Namubiru an engineer and designer says many people choose finishes basing on beauty while others base on price, others consider trends in the industry.

"A house is never complete unless both interior and exterior designs have been worked upon and they are good enough. The number of materials available for house finishing has increased, giving property owners many choices. However, before making any purchase, one should understand both the merits and demerits of each material," says engineer Namubiru.

Stone finishing

According to Namubiru this is one of the ancient techniques that still remains a valuable item in house finishing. "Stone is widely used on commercial buildings since it is a unique material. Stone finishing is expensive and can be time consuming, but it is one of the popular finishes people are opting for these days".

There are several ways to employ this technique, using natural stone, it is slacked and used as a wall finish or particularly on certain parts like under windows and at the corners or as a plinth wall.

Paint and plastering


David Kireli a civil engineer says paint is probably one of the most commonly used materials when it comes to both interior and exterior finishing. A variety of paints are in the market and they include water and oil paints and come in different colours.

Plastering with sand and cement followed by painting has been around for the longest time, but people today are more adventurous with colour. "Weather guard paint is more affordable and it is easier to keep the house looking fresh with a new coat of paint. You can change the colour of the walls for a new look whenever you please. The popular shades today include, peach, cream, white, brown and other shades in between. It is also very trendy to make colour combinations so that your house can stand-out.

Tiles

Architect Abdu-Wahab Nyanzi says that increasing use of tiles is due to the realisation that they don't only add beauty to a house but they are also trendy.

"Tiles have become common place as interior and exterior finishes, especially for commercial buildings, they are very popular with luxurious places like malls and hotels. However, home owners are also increasingly using them, either for the whole exterior or in some parts inside the house. Many people are using them because they are easy to clean and therefore very low on maintenance costs", he says.

Stone bricks


According to engineer Namubiru some people opt for stone bricks or cultured slate, which is smoother. Although stone was often used for the foundation more people today are opting for stone finishes for the entire exterior because it is water proof and therefore, long-lasting but it also gives a more natural finishing.

"It is however, harder to clean and over time stone collects dirt and starts to look scruffy, so it is good to clean them from time to time," she advises.

Wood siding

Some people use wood but not on the entire exterior surface, Namubiru says wood has lots of challenges you may buy it when it didn't dry properly, wood is prone to termite attacks, you need to have it properly sprayed and vanished so that termites and rain do not destroy it.

"Wood is very expensive but it makes a great finish for gates and window sills", says Namubiru.

When it comes to finishing the exterior of your home, there are certain things you must consider to make the difference.

You must have a professional on board, says Abdu Wahab Nyanzi, an architect with JR Consults. The experts will he help you select the best finishes for your house.

Windows

 Nyanzi says windows look good, if they are finished with a window sill. These come in all sorts' of designs and could be made from a multitude of materials.
 

 "The market presents sills and pre-cast or cast in-situ. Some of the materials used to make sills include stone, concrete, plastic and timber. Some sills are also made from floor or wall tiles. The architect or engineer should be able to advise you well on which one to select", he advises.

The market also has a number of wall renders that can be applied to walls for a magnificent appearance. Some of these finishes require very low maintenance while others are specifically made for dusty environments like many in Uganda.

Nyanzi says external walls can also be finished with materials like cut stone, face bricks, flattened rough cast, pointed mortar and many more. There is a lot of room to be creative here. The architect has to be careful to select materials that will work well with exposure to the elements of weather.

The purpose of a building can also influence the type of finish it would have, says Nyanzi.

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