How do I choose the perfect boundary wall designs for my home?

Sunita Vellapally Sunita Vellapally
Temple Bells - Arati and Sundaresh's Residence, Sandarbh Design Studio Sandarbh Design Studio Eclectic style houses
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When you are building a house, the type of boundary wall is one of the things you need to decide. The outer wall of your home is much more than a boundary fence that marks where your property ends, and the street begins. Of course, it should protect the privacy of your home, but more importantly, the outer boundary wall design for a home should elevate the overall style of the façade. How high should the wall be? What materials are suitable for building these outer walls? What design should one choose? To answer these questions and more, we present this guide to boundary wall designs for Indian homes.

Do boundary wall designs need to comply with any regulations?

Since the boundary wall marks the outline of the property, it’s critical that it is built along the right line so that it doesn’t encroach on the neighbour’s lot or public property. When an architect gets house plans sanctioned, the boundary wall should be a part of it. The last thing anyone wants is to bring down the wall after building it, so it’s vital to ensure that the height, width, and placement of the wall complies with the municipal or city corporation regulations.

Don’t forget to consult the neighbours before erecting a boundary wall! They might want to share the cost of construction and have a say in the design of the wall. Additionally, the boundary wall should not affect the flow or drainage of water from the neighbour’s property. Similarly, the boundary wall should not damage the trees on the neighbouring property.

What height is ideal for boundary wall designs?

When designing a wall along the perimeter of the property, one needs to consider the height that is ideal for protecting the house from prying eyes of passersby or neighbours. However, it’s also essential to ensure that the boundary wall is not so high that it diminishes the curb appeal of the house by blocking most of it from being seen from the street. Striking a balance between style and functionality is the key to choosing the right height for the wall.

Besides beauty, one should consider other practical elements such as an appropriate height that prevents burglars from easily jumping over the wall. In some urban areas, the corporation or municipality might have restrictions regarding the height of the boundary wall. If the house is on a busy street, then a taller wall can minimize the street noises as well as pollution. Therefore, it’s wise to determine the height after considering these factors.

Find inspiration from these pictures of fences and walls for Indian homes.

Should boundary wall designs match the size of the gate?

The gate of the house is significant as it’s the main point of entry. Ideally, one should plan the style and size of the gate before choosing the outer boundary wall design for a home. It’s important as the outer wall should not be too high or low compared to the gate. Moreover, the placement of the gate will determine the point from which the boundary wall should start and where it will end.

What materials are ideal for boundary wall designs for Indian homes?

Stone, bricks, and concrete are some of the materials that architects commonly use for Indian house-front boundary wall designs. The cost of the wall can vary depending on the type of material chosen. Choosing the right material is also essential for matching the overall design style of the house. One can even combine these materials for the outer wall design.

Brick: Clay bricks are one of the most economical options for a boundary wall. It is hard and durable, relatively easy to build, fire resistant and easy to break down. Coating the brick with cement and paint not only makes it stronger but also more versatile for matching a range of design styles.

The disadvantage of using brick is that it is a time-consuming process. Unless reinforced with paint or cement, brick walls absorb water causing them to rot. It’s not as durable as concrete.

Concrete: The advantage of using cement as a material for boundary wall designs is that it is one of the most durable options. Concrete comes in three variations – precast slabs, blocks and pour-and-set concrete. The precast and block varieties are easy to install. Additionally, concrete sets in almost any shape. It’s not too expensive to construct a concrete wall.

Installing a concrete wall is not easy and requires professional assistance, especially for the pour-and-set version. Even block or precast concrete require additional labour as it is extremely heavy. Breaking down concrete walls is not easy. In places that experience extreme temperatures, the material could develop cracks due to expansion and contraction.

Get tips on how to repair cracks in the wall permanently.

Stone: It is an eco-friendly option for a boundary wall, especially when quarried locally, minimizing the environmental impact of transportation.

Unpolished stone is not more expensive than brick and concrete. Additionally, the process of building a stone wall is labour intensive and time-consuming.

Besides these materials, many architects use wood or metal accents on brick, concrete or stone boundary wall designs.

Can these materials be used to create modern boundary wall designs?

Brick, concrete, and stone are incredibly versatile and can adapt to almost any design style, whether modern or rustic.

Rustic: Exposed brick is an excellent solution for a rural house as it has a raw and unfinished look.

Modern: After plastering and painting the surface of a brick wall, it can suit a modern home just as well. Match the colour of the paint with the exterior walls of the house and add stone or wood trims to enhance the style.

Minimalist: While one usually associates concrete with the industrial design style, it can be perfect for a minimalist home. Precast concrete panels can make an excellent backdrop for garden wall designs, especially if one uses it to support creepers, vines or ivy to create a natural green wall. It makes them a suitable choice for boundary walls in the backyard or garden area.

Country style: A stone or gabion wall has a natural look that blends into the lush greenery of the countryside and is the perfect choice for a farmhouse or a country style house.

As is apparent, it’s possible to use these materials to design boundary walls to suit every style.

What is the approximate cost of a modern boundary wall design?

The cost of building a wall on the boundary of your property can vary depending on the material, style, and size. In general, a brick and mortar boundary wall costs between INR 5000 to INR 5500 per cubic meter, without accounting for plaster and paint. Concrete is slightly cheaper, ranging in between INR 3500 to INR 4200 per cubic meter. Locally sourced stones are the most affordable option for building boundary retainer walls. It costs upwards of INR 1100 per cubic meter.

Designing a boundary wall is a complicated process. Since the safety of your house depends on the strength of the wall, it’s best to leave the task to professionals. From determining the height and the width of the wall, helping to choose the material that is most suitable, from the point of aesthetics and budget to approval of the plans, a professional architect can help with all these tasks and simplify the process of building a boundary wall.

Concrete V/s Stone—What is better for boundary wall?

Concrete

Concrete is a popular option used for home front boundary wall design. Besides being cost-effective and less labour intensive, concrete can be used to build any compound wall design and offers sturdy protection. Moreover, with proper maintenance and upkeep, concrete walls can stay intact for years.

The only disadvantage of using concrete is that it is prone to cracks and other signs of wear and tear. 

Stone

A stone boundary wall can be both practical and decorative. On the one hand, it enhances the appeal of the façade of your house, and on the other hand, it may protect your yard from erosion. Also, it adds a unique traditional touch that will never go out of trend. According to professionals, stone walls don't require mortar or special connectors, regardless of the design you choose.

However, as there are small gaps and spaces between stones, drainage may become a concern. Also, stone is considered better for constructing smaller compound wall designs than the taller ones.

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