Owning a new home is one of the most exciting steps in life. Especially if you are buying a new house, it means that you are stepping into a place where you will spend peaceful and happy years with your family and loved ones. As such, of course, it is not possible to get excited. However, this excitement should not cause carelessness. Because there are very important points to consider when buying a house. The home to buy is not just aesthetically pleasing; it should also be sturdy, safe and long-lasting. Especially if we live in an earthquake-prone country like Turkey, this issue is even more vital. So let’s ask: What should you pay attention to when buying a new house?
A Solid House Rises on Solid Ground
The quality of a house is hidden deeper than the visible details. The most important of these is undoubtedly the ground structure. No matter how aesthetic the building is, if the ground on which it rises is not solid, all those beauties can suddenly become meaningless.
Therefore, the first question to ask when buying a new house is: What kind of ground was this building built on? The answer is given by the ground survey reports. Soil types that are considered solid are classified as Z1 and Z2 in the Turkish Buildings Earthquake Code (TBDY 2018). In addition, rock or hard ground without the risk of liquefaction should be preferred. If it is not very strong, it should be supported by improvement techniques such as bored piles and stone columns. Finding out whether these are implemented provides the most basic information about the security of the home you are buying.
The Invisible Hero: Basic System
The strength of a structure is directly related to its foundation. Every building with a solid foundation gives confidence about the future. At this point, the raft foundation system comes to the fore first. This system distributes the load of the building evenly on the ground, reducing settlement risks and absorbing the effect of earthquakes in a balanced way.
If the ground is too weak, the structure is fixed to solid layers, giving preference to pile foundation systems. However, it should not be forgotten: Even the most accurate foundation system can lose its function with incorrect applications. Details such as lean concrete pouring, waterproofing, and placement of iron reinforcements should be carefully followed during the application process.
The Carrier System Must Be Strong
The carrier system of your new home is the system that safely transmits both the building’s own weight and external forces (especially the earthquake effect) to the ground. Columns, beams, shear walls and floors make up this system. In order for these elements to work together and in a balanced way, building statics is analyzed with engineering calculations.
A regularly planned carrier system; It eliminates risks such as torsion, collapses, and uneven load distribution. If this system is designed correctly, the structure performs much better in the face of external influences such as earthquakes.
The accuracy of these elements must be documented by building inspection reports, static projects and the engineering unit of the contractor company.
Quality Materials for a Quality Life
When buying a brand new house, it is necessary to have knowledge about the building materials used. The concrete class used in the building should be at least C30/37, preferably C40 should be chosen. Steel reinforcements should be B420C class ribbed reinforced concrete steel. The compliance of these materials with the standards can be proven by building inspection documents, core tests and laboratory reports.
In addition, technical details such as the way the concrete is poured, the protection of the reinforcements against rust, and the thickness of the concrete cover are vital for the longevity of the structure.
Regulations Are There For Us
It can be misleading to think that a new house is in order because it is “new”. It must be checked whether the building complies with the TBDY 2018 Earthquake Regulation. Documents such as occupancy, building inspection reports, engineering approvals should be carefully examined.
In addition, the past works of the company carrying out the project, quality certificates (such as ISO 9001, 14001, 45001) and audit history should also be taken into consideration.
Location, Comfort, Convenience
When buying a house, the question of “where” is as important as “how”. Location; It doesn’t just mean ease of transportation. At the same time, it determines many factors such as the practicality of daily life, accessibility in times of disaster, and topographic advantages.
A house close to the metro, bus stops, health and education institutions, markets and bazaars can both save time and save lives in emergencies. Additionally, environmental factors such as elevation, slope, and flood risk should be evaluated within the location.
The Essentials of Peace: Sound and Heat Insulation
It is not enough for a new home to be just physically secure. Especially if we live in a metropolis and summers are hot and winters are cold in the metropolis we live in, it is necessary to consider other issues there. Isn’t it very disturbing to have our neighbor’s voice inside our house as it is? Or we probably don’t want to be covered in blood and sweat in our house in the summer and shiver in the winter? That’s why it is impossible not to pay attention to heat and sound insulation when buying a new house.
Thermal insulation saves energy and makes the living space comfortable. In a well-insulated home, it is possible to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. This reduces energy bills and paves the way for sustainable living.
Sound insulation directly affects the peace inside the house. Blocking noise from neighboring apartments offers great comfort, especially in city life. Not only is it comfort, but it also ensures that privacy is not damaged. At this point, factors such as wall thicknesses, flooring material, type of window glasses are the main factors affecting sound insulation and it is necessary to pay attention to them.
Social Facilities and Common Areas
A new living space is related to social life as well as individual comfort. Facilities such as indoor parking, children’s playground, landscaping, security systems, and social facilities enhance the quality of life. Operational elements such as the management plan of the site, dues scheme, technical service are also among the topics that affect the comfort of life in the long term.
Per Yapı: The Key to the Future
If you are looking for a brand that combines all these elements, we would like you to know that Per Yapı builds houses with all ice features. Preferring solid soils without the risk of liquefaction in its projects, Per Yapı uses raft general foundation, C40 concrete, B420C reinforcement, rigid carrier system in all its buildings and acts in full compliance with current regulations.
It brings together not only safe, but also every element that makes life easier such as location advantage, social facilities, heat and sound insulation, aesthetics and spacious interior planning in its projects. With the projects it has implemented in popular districts such as Çengelköy and Yavuztürk, it establishes lives in harmony with both the city and the environment.