Building a Home with Good Bones

Deen Gabriel
3 days ago
2 min read

What “Good Bones” Means

A house with good bones is one that has:

Solid masonry walls: Brick or blockwork laid true, plumb, and properly bonded.
Durable foundations: Reinforced concrete footings sized correctly for soil conditions.
Efficient design: Layouts that minimize wasted space and align services logically.
Quality finishes on essentials: Roof coverings, lintels, and damp-proofing done right from the start.

Key Elements of Good Bones

1. Foundations

Concrete strip footings or raft foundations must be sized according to soil type and load.
Reinforcement steel should be correctly placed and covered to prevent corrosion.
Depths are measured in millimetres/metres, e.g. a typical footing might be 600 mm wide and 200 mm deep, depending on engineer’s specs.

2. Walls

Brick bonds (stretcher, English, Flemish) ensure stability and reduce cracking.
Mortar mix (commonly 1 part cement : 5 parts sand) must be consistent for strength.
Damp-proof courses (DPC) at ±150 mm above ground level protect against rising damp.

. Roof Structure

Even though walls are masonry, roofs often rely on timber trusses or steel beams.
Proper spacing (e.g. trusses at 1 m centres) and secure anchoring into walls are critical.
Roof coverings (tiles, sheeting) must be installed with correct overlaps to prevent leaks.

4. Openings and Lintels

Precast concrete or steel lintels above doors and windows distribute loads.
Openings should be sized with future flexibility in mind (e.g. standard 900 mm doors).

5. Services Integration

Plumbing and electrical conduits should be chased neatly into walls before plastering.
Aligning vertical service runs reduces maintenance headaches later.

Why Good Bones Matter

Longevity: Brick-and-mortar homes can last generations if built correctly.
Resale value: Buyers in South Africa look for solid walls, proper damp-proofing, and roofs that don’t sag.
Adaptability: A house with good bones can be modernized, new finishes, extensions, or solar installations, without major structural issues.

Practical Tips for Homeowners

Always consult a structural engineer for foundation and load-bearing design.
Prioritize structure over finishes, tiles and paint can be changed, but poor masonry is costly to fix.
Use local standard sizes (e.g. 2,1 m door heights, 2,6 m ceiling heights) to simplify construction and reduce waste.
Ensure compliance with SANS building codes for safety and efficiency.

Bottom line: Good bones means a house with strong masonry, proper foundations, and well-integrated services. Build it right the first time, and you’ll have a home that stands firm for decades, ready to adapt to changing needs.