Architecture · 7 min read
Laterite and lime: reading an old Goan house
How to tell a well-restored balcao house from one that has only been repainted.
Arjun Naik · 22 July 2026
An old Goan house is built from laterite and lime, and both need to breathe. Most of the damage we see in restored houses comes from cement plaster and acrylic paint that trap moisture inside the wall.
What to look for
Walk the house after rain. Look at the base of the walls for salt bloom, and at window sills for soft stone. Ask whether the roof timbers are original or replaced, and with what.
What a good restoration costs
More than you think, and less than rebuilding. We keep a list of three conservation contractors we trust.
