DOORS AND WINDOWS

Most rural houses in Bulgaria have a rudimentary form of double glazing which consists of two sets of glass partitions in the same frame. They are as effective as modern windows at keeping out the cold, however if you also intend to install mosquito nets, it will give the opening a somewhat cluttered appearance, and during the summer months you will find yourself opening and closing a maze of windows.

In well maintained rural properties often sanding down and painting is all that is needed to restore doors and windows. In other cases, fixing the existing ones can be a time consuming and tedious job, requiring lot of “elbow-grease”, and sometimes the help of a competent carpenter. Removing old paint, sanding, replacing rotted or damaged sections, concealing imperfections, replacing putty and sealing glass into place, followed by a few coats of paint, as well as extra coats every year, can persuade many to opt for replacement. New wooden doors and windows with a double glazing, in traditional styles, are available from builders merchants or can be custom made by local carpenters.

Often new owners will chose to change the original doors and windows with modern alternatives. The two most popular options available are PVC and aluminium.

White PVC will give the house a clean and uniform appearance, especially if the outside has been whitewashed or painted with lighter colors; and the aesthetic effects of wood, can be obtained by using the slightly more expensive brown PVC versions.

Please note, however, that when it comes to modern alternatives, in Bulgaria, just like in the rest of the world, the old saying “you get what you pay for” applies, and choosing the cheapest possible option is not always advisable.

The disadvantages of some of the “more affordable” PVC doors and windows, available on the market, is that the have a tendency to expand or contract with the wide temperature fluctuations of the Bulgarian climate (making them difficult to open and close in the summer, and not sealing correctly during the winter); cheap white PVC can also acquire a yellowish tone after a few years of exposure. Aluminium doors and windows are more durable, but they are only effective if they have numerous chambers, as lower priced options are prone to draw condensation.

Shutters, blinds and curtains are available from specialist shops in Yambol, Veliko Ternovo and other provincial capitals.

The number and location of windows inevitably has an effect the amount of light and temperature inside a house, and the design of rural houses is intended to provide for optimum efficiency and protection, as a result most windows are traditionally to be found on the east and south sides of a house, to a lesser extent on the walls facing west, and seldom will they exist on the north side (limiting exposure to the cold northern winds, and allowing as much natural light in as possible during the winter months, while at the same time reducing the heating effect of the high summer sun).

The availability of modern double glazing, and the fact that the needs of local farmers do not necessarily correspond with those of foreign holidaymakers, however, means that this formula does not have to be strictly followed.

Good views and long summer sunsets can often justify the creation of new windows in other parts of the house. Additionally, making small openings to the north will allow cooler air from the shaded side of the structure to circulate through the interior of the house during the summer months. When left open during the night and early morning, even in the absence of breezes, they provide a very effective way of naturally maintaining a comfortable interior.

Other options to increase the amount of natural light entering a house include the use of skylights or solar pipes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_tube.

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SURFACES

Once the “shell” of the rural house has been adequately completed, work on the inside may follow. The floors and walls of rooms destined to be kitchens and bathrooms, as well as entrance areas are generally tiled, for practical reasons, as they will be subjected to spills and splashes, muddy boots, and so on. In the vast majority of rural properties undergoing renovation work, the ground floors are the chosen location for the kitchen and bathroom, and the existence of a new concrete floor obviously gives you a head start with the tiling process.

A large selection of domestically produced tiles are available in Bulgaria, and the arrival of international companies has significantly increased the offer in recent years. As a result, home owners are spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing tiles for their Bulgarian property.

Tiling the relatively small surfaces areas of the interior of a rural house (rooms are generally between 16-25m2), often encourages home owners to use the better quality and more expensive tiles, and adds to the fact that a well presented bathroom and cooking area are key features of any house, and will significantly increase the value of the property.

The option of wooden flooring in other parts of the house provides a more traditional appearance, as well as good insulation.

The first part of the process involves cutting wood strips in accordance with the dimensions of the rooms, then laying them and nailing them into place. The more expensive “parquet” floors come ready made in sizes, that slotted into each other, and are subsequently glued to the floor. The surface is then sanded down, imperfections and small gaps filled with a varnish and sawdust paste, and the workmen will then generally apply two coats of varnish (this appears to be the standard practice in rural BG). Further varnishing, obviously can be requested, but should be specified when quotes are given.

Different types of varnish (yacht lack, parquet lack, conventional varnishes), in shades ranging from ebony to pine, as well as water-based wood dyes, are widely available in local paint shops, building material suppliers, DIY centres, throughout Bulgaria.

Alternatively, “cheap and cheerful” plastic surfaces, that imitate wood, tile or marble flooring can be used, but they tend to be more functional than aesthetically pleasing. Wood laminate is a convenient compromise, as it resembles the real thing, is easy to clean, and does not have a tendency to bend if it is soaked.

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BATHROOMS

Traditionally in many rural Bulgarian homes, the toilet is outside, separate from the main building. Basically it will be a small hut sitting directly above a rudimentary septic tank, as it was in many other rural parts of Europe not so long ago. An interesting novelty for many of us, but repeated visits to the “dunny” at the end of the garden throughout the night (especially during the winter months), can soon persuade most people bring the toilet closer to the house. The existing wet room will often be found in a small cubicle, sometimes under the staircase or in a small annex.

A modern indoor bathroom is usually at the top of most people’s agenda, and in a relatively small place they can be set up. As has been mentioned, one of the rooms on the ground floor is generally the chosen location for the bathroom, however the reinforced concrete terraces on the second floor can be bricked up to provide an adequate location for a small toilet or wet room.

The creation of a bathroom will require the hiring of a number of different tradesmen, firstly in most cases a serviceable septic tank will be needed, then the plumbing must be installed, followed the laying of a concrete floor, the electrical installation ( lights, fan, boiler ), tiling on the floor and walls, and the placing of water-proof plasterboard for ceiling. Toilets, sinks, bathtubs, and accessories will also need to be purchased separately (even in cases where a full-service company has been contracted to carry out the job, as quotes given by Bulgarian building companies often do not include them).

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KITCHENS

Kitchens or cooking areas can often be quite basic in traditional Bulgarian homes. For some people, especially holiday-home owners who will inevitably be spending a lot of time eating out, this might not be of great concern; and possibly fixing the existing sink, and the purchase of a small fridge, kettle, and portable barbeque are more that adequate for their needs.

For those who intend to spend longer periods of time in their Bulgarian home, or those renovating rural properties in Bulgaria with the intention of renting-out or re-selling, fitting a small kitchen seems to go hand in hand with the creation of an indoor bathroom.

Furniture shops, DIY centers, local builders merchants and on-line suppliers offer a variety of options, ranging from stylish and modern designs, to those with a more traditional appearance, as well as the quaint or simply functional.

Alternatively, local carpenters can custom make kitchens, if the home owners have a particular idea in mind.

Installing the kitchen calls for the same “technological challenges” as for bathrooms; it’s a fairly straight forward procedure, that involves deciding the location of the kitchen (downstairs or an upstairs room with solid floors and good views), plumbing for hot and cold water, and drainage to be put in place, the electrical installation to be undertaken once the desired position of plugs, switches, lights, fan/extractor, and boiler have been established, tiling, and finally the fitting of cupboards, work surfaces and sink.

Fridges, microwaves, kettles and other white goods can be purchased throughout Bulgaria for very reasonable prices. www.technomarket.bg/en, www.metro.bg.

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WOOD WORK

Wood plays an important role in the interior of most Bulgarian homes, as timber is readily available. Wood to the Bulgarians is like tile and marble to the Spanish or Italians, anywhere a strip of wood can placed, it inevitably will be. It is used on floors, on walls, on ceilings, as well as to cover up unsightly or bothersome parts of the structure.

Its qualities as a thermal barrier and acoustic isolator are next to none, and lining the floors and ceilings of a house with wood will help to keep the property cooler in the summer and the reverse in the winter, as well as having pleasing visual attributes.

The Bulgarian love of woodwork is particularly apparent in the traditional mehana. Many houses, especially villas used by Bulgarians for recreational purposes, will set aside a room on the ground floor with a traditional stone or brick fire place, and the walls, floor and ceilings will be completely lined with wood. This is where guests are generally entertained, and the word “mehana” seems evoke the Bulgarian notion of a good time, and it is the one room in the house that will have witnessed a lot of lively get-togethers.

Wood can also be used as a cheaper and attractive option for those who decide to make other improvements to the property. Roof extensions and sheltered areas can be constructed to provide shade, and protection from the occasional summer shower.

Wood terraces can be resorted to, to increase the size of the second floor; and small gazebos are popular among Bulgarians and foreigners alike, as during the summer months many gatherings and evening meals will be enjoyed outdoors.

Gates, fences, and ornamental garden furniture are also frequently made by local carpenters to decorate the yards and gardens of foreign and local residents.

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PATIOS

Paving the areas around the house, protects the base of the structure from the adverse effects of rain and snow, as well as providing a barrier between the house and the soil of the garden, and giving the property a neater appearance.

Paving is a fairly straight forward process. A sand base and a membrane (to keep weeds at bay) are initially laid, followed by concrete, and then tiles or local “gradeshki” stone are placed at regular intervals, or following a predetermined design, and finally cement is poured into the gaps.

Barbecue areas are an ideal extra to have, and to be able to sit outdoors during the warm summer evenings, while your food cooks on an open fire, is “kef” as young Bulgarians would say. Brick or stone BBQs and ovens are inexpensive to construct, resistant (as they don’t eventually rust or get damaged like the portable ones you get in the supermarkets), and constitute an attractive feature of any property. They also allow for the cooking of meals without heating up the house during the summer months, and are extremely cheap to run, as the only fuel needed is the wood and branches found lying around the garden.

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OUTBUILDINGS

The outbuildings on a property in many cases constitute a real asset. Formerly, used to store crops, agricultural machinery and farmhouse utensils; they can be upgraded, and converted into extra rooms, workshops, hobby-rooms, garages, semi-opened sheltered areas for recreational purposes, etc, etc.

For those interested in keeping animals, outbuildings can be quite easily be re-converted back into stables, kennels, chicken pens, etc as this is one of the functions they where originally designed for; and a simple lime-rendering and white wash should make them more than adequate for this purpose. Alternatively they can be knocked down, to improve the views from the property and increase the size of the garden; and their constituent materials (tiles, beams, etc) recycled for use in the main building or other parts of the property.

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SWIMMING POOLS

Pools are the next step up in consolidating rural Bulgaria as a holiday destination, as there are not that many houses with pools in Bulgarian countryside, so far.

Some of our clients have chosen to improvise the first time around, purchasing inflatable ones, which are inexpensive and easy to set up and maintain. For those intending to move to, rent-out, or set up hostels or B&Bs the existence of a pool on the property, inevitably increases its desirability and value.

Pools are regularly constructed in private homes, complexes and hotels along the Black sea coast, and many foreign and Bulgarian pool companies have considerable experience in this field, and are quite willing to extend their services to the interior of the country.

The science involved is relatively simple, dig a hole of the desired shape and size, line it with a water-tight reinforced concrete base and walls, install plumbing, pump and filter system, tile, and then pave the area around the pool with slip-proof surface.

Water (or its shortage) is not an issue in BG, as there is plenty of it, and a cubic meter of water in the Yambol and Veliko Ternovo cost in the region of 2&euro, or you can use the well on the property. Bathing is possible between late may and early September.

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GARDENS

The trees and other plants that grow directly outside most Bulgarian rural homes, though not a structural part of a property, need a special mention, as they will have a direct effect on the temperature in and around a house, as well as the amount of natural light entering it.

Grape vines, for example, not only give the property a distinct Mediterranean character, and obviously produce grapes; they also provide shaded areas during the summer months that will reduce the temperature in their immediate vicinity, and in the winter they will loose their leaves, allowing more sunlight and warmth into the house. The same effect can be achieved by planting fruit trees to the south and west of a dwelling. Pine or cyprus trees, alternatively, can be planted in rows to the rear of a house to provide a barrier/protection from the cold northern winds in the winter.

Lawns are not a popular theme in rural BG, as to have one has little or no value for the practically minded locals, as it doesn’t produce anything, and the land can be put to better use growing fruit and vegetables. Only the recently arrived “eccentric foreigners” seem to be plowing up their gardens, and planting grass; adequate results can be obtained by simply purchasing seed varieties available in local garden centres, DIY outlets, and supermarkets that are able to thrive in the summer and withstand the cold winters.

Foreign home owners might also consider employing one of the locals to take care of the garden. Those intending to use their property only during the summer months can arrange for a Bulgarian neighbor to cultivate a flower and/or vegetable patch that will be blossoming and producing ripe fruit and vegetables by late June. A small plot can produce an incredible amount of non-GM and organically grown produce. Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, potatoes, aubergines, courgettes, beans, chilies, are grown throughout Bulgaria, and fruit trees such as apple, pear, cherry, plum, apricot, peach, fig and walnut trees seem to be in every ones back-gardens. For a small price you will benefit from a productive vegetable garden, and your neighbors will have an extra income, and/or fruit and vegetables for their own consumption if you choose to exchange the produce for their labor.

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