By sanjit Posted 12-04-2022 Architecture
Owning a house in a tropical destination is a dream come true for many. Your days start and end with the great, expansive blue and warm orange-golden hues. Compared to an urban lifestyle, living in a location with the sea nearby, such as Kasu Zama in Anjuna and areas in Vagator Goa, can be great for your productivity, creativity, motivation and overall mental well-being. However, as relaxing as living by the sea can be, it comes with its own challenges. Whether it is the perfect summer vacation house or your forever home, the home will need constant checks and maintenance. The saltwater in the air can be corrosive, the humidity can be exhausting, so your home can be in trouble if you don’t take good care of it. There are some definitive tricks and tips to care for your home when you live by the sea. Here are a few:
A house in a village by the sea will need as much care as your child would. Maybe that’s going a little far, but it does come close. Even if you are planning to use your luxury villa in Goa as a second home, and visit once a year, it needs to be checked and maintained all year round. However, if you do not live close to the property, maintaining it can be difficult. It is advisable to have an expert on board to help you with care and maintenance, including urgent repairs. This can be useful regardless of whether you are planning to live in the property forever or once a year. There will always be something that you might miss or be unaware of that an expert will spot.
Coastal regions are known for their humidity, high heat and heavy monsoons. This puts your home and furniture at risk of corrosion and degradation. Experts and locals advise using materials that are resistant to damage caused by the sun, rain and salt. This means wood, iron and natural fibre should be avoided or used minimally. While the metal can easily corrode, the wood and fibres can develop mould in the blink of an eye, especially during monsoon. Substitute these with aluminium, stainless steel, PVC, solid wood and synthetic fibre.
Speak to your architect or real estate builder in Goa about the materials used in your home’s skeleton too since the moisture tends to seep in through the walls. Wooden furniture should be regularly cleaned, varnished and covered as and when necessary. At Kasu, our homes are made using locally sourced materials, from clay tiled roofs to Kota, a durable, weather-resistant material that we use for our flooring.
The humidity in coastal regions can result in damage caused by excessive moisture. It can seep in through the cracks on the walls and wreak havoc. Moreover, heavy rains can cause dampness and water damage. Ensure your seaside homes have sloping tiled roofs to prevent water collection. Apart from that, make it an annual ritual to repaint and waterproof your house. Ensure that you use high-gloss or satin paints to keep the salt from penetrating the walls. Lastly, use oil-based, good quality paints to offer your home the best kind of protection that there is. You can also completely ditch the paints and opt for a natural stone finish to your home’s exteriors – at Kasu, we use basalt for stone cladding our homes. Exterior paints will peel and exterior wood will need restaining, making stone or concrete a viable and hassle-free alternative.
A patio that looks over the sunset can feel surreal and needs to be protected at all costs. The easiest way to do that is to pick the right kind of materials for your decor and furniture. Again, synthetic fibres and upholstery are the best way to go. The next step would be to keep the furniture covered when not in use. Moreover, try to keep your furniture away from direct sunlight and install a tiled roof that will offer plenty of shade over your patio.
The use of metal is inevitable in a home – whether it’s your toolbox, your bikes and cars, cycles, or your favourite wok that you will not get rid of. The air along the sea is rich in salt and can lead to salt buildup over metals, resulting in rust and corrosion. However, the salt build-up can be prevented by applying WD-40 oil or silicone spray to vulnerable items in your home. Apart from that, you can keep your vehicles and essential items covered in plastic to protect them. Ideally, experts recommend sticking to stainless steel with a chromium oxide layer, and red metals such as copper, galvanised steel or aluminium wherever possible.
If you live in a beachside locale, there is a high likelihood that you come home or walk around the house barefoot – and bring the sand and the salt in. Moreover, it can also cause a lot of humidity to seep into the floors, especially if they are covered in carpet or made of timber. Moisture is a big no-no in coastal homes thanks to the easy mould buildup. Try to use tiles or high-density timber that are more resistant to moisture.
Coastal regions are prone to cyclones or heavy rainfall that can damage your home externally. Keep an eye out for trees around your homes that could fall or any openings that make your home vulnerable. Windows and doors need to be made of reliable materials that don’t give in to high-speed winds.
After you have done everything you can in your capacity to protect your seaside home, go talk to the locals. People who have been living in the area for generations are bound to have helpful tricks up their sleeves. They might not know the fancy sprays and substitute materials, but they will definitely have that one secret ingredient that works for them.
Your dream luxury villa in Goa can seem like a lot of work, but you know it is all worth it in the end. Waking up to the sound of the sea, and ending your day with a marvellous sunset are irreplaceable experiences. So take care of your home if you are living by the sea to make the best out of it.
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