Vusumuzi Dube
Real Estate issues with Jonathan Thompson
WHEN constructing a house, one of the last sections to complete is referred to as “The Finishings”.
The main types of finishing work include facing, plastering, woodworking, flooring, painting, wallpapering and glazing. The finishings are the parts of a home that you see and interact with every day. These are the parts of a house that truly make it a home.
Ceilings — Ceilings are a barrier that separates the living space from the attic. The attic of the property contains the trusses, geysers, and the electrics of the house. The attic can become very hot during the day, and the ceiling helps to insulate the living space, keeping it cooler and more comfortable.
Ceilings may be constructed out of ceiling board, timber, plaster, plastic, and pressed tin or steel sheets. Many older homes, especially in suburbs, are built with very decorative pressed tin/steel ceilings. The sheets have been pressed with designs, sometimes they are very intricate. When in good condition, they can be beautiful. Timber ceilings are often built out of pine strips. These ceilings have good insulating properties and have a warm appearance. Ceiling board is probably the most common material used in Zimbabwe.
Molding — The corner that is formed between the top of the wall and the ceiling is often covered with a decorative piece called molding, cornicing, or crown molding. This can be a very simple curve, or can be multi-layered and complex. Crown molding is available in wood or other manufactured finishes such as plaster, fiberboard, polyurethane, aluminium and kaylite. Crown molding covers up any spaces or cracks between the wall and ceiling, providing a pleasing finish.
Walls — The walls of a typical Zimbabwean home are manufactured with bricks, covered with smooth plaster, and then are painted with an endless variety of colours. In other countries, one may see walls covered with wallpaper, cloth, wood, or other materials. Recently there has been amazing advancement in paints. Paints have more available colours, they have become more durable, they are washable, and they can even resist germs and bacteria. A high-quality paint may be very long lasting.
The colours of the paints chosen to decorate a home, often reflect the taste and style of the owners. One should keep in mind, if you are looking to resell or to lease out a property, it is advisable to chose neutral or earthy colours.
Flooring — Floors may be painted, polished, or tinted concrete. These smooth floors are referred to as granolithic cement. Other floors are covered with ceramic tiles, timber strips, parquet flooring, or carpet. Granolithic and tiled floors are cooler and are very easy to clean. Wooden strip and parquet floors need to be polished, and can be damaged by water. A wooden floor may need to be sanded and refurbished after many years of use. Carpeted floors are the warmest, but can be stained easily.
Homes may consist of a variety of flooring types in the same property. Kitchens and bathrooms are normally tiled.
While two houses may be constructed with the same building plans and materials, the finishings offer the owner a chance to really personalise their home. Properties retain a more widespread appeal when they have neutral colours and the finishings are simpler. A home that is over-stylised may be more difficult to sell. So before you spend too much time, money, and effort on the finishings, sit down and decide the long-term plan for your property.
Jonathan Thompson is a Registered Real Estate Agent who works in Bulawayo. He has ten years of experience in Real Estate in the USA, and another 14 years’ experience in Bulawayo. He is the founder and the Managing Director of Thompson Properties (Pvt) Ltd. (www.thompsonproperties.co.zw)
Online Reporter