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Kutcha house, Pucca house — what do they mean and how are they different from one another? Many think that the main difference between a Kutcha house and a Pucca house is that one is made of mud while the other is made of bricks and cement. While that is true, there is much more to it. Let's understand both and see what makes them truly different.
What is a Kutcha House?
The word “Kutcha” is a hindi word which means raw or temporary. Kutcha house is a type of housing structure that is made of raw materials like wood, mud and straw. Such houses can be easily seen in Indian villages, where the availability of bricks, cement, and crushed rocks is less. Along with these, the items required to build the pucca house are more expensive in comparison to the easily available mud, straw, stones, and wood.
They are not as strong as the pakka makan, they are economical and serve housing purposes of people living in remote or village areas. The best part about a kutcha house is that it can be built without putting in much labor, and can be changed or rebuilt to suit the needs of a growing family. Such houses usually have all the basic amenities such as bedroom, hall, kitchen and even a bathroom. Being made of raw materials, the house is nicely insulated, keeping the rooms cooler in summers and warm in winters. Nowadays, many resort owners are building kutcha houses to give a rural touch to their properties to give city people a feel of village life without having to go too far.
Types of Kutcha House
If you think that kutcha houses are just made of mud, straw, and stones, then you are mistaken. In India, where there are different ecological zones, kutch houses also take different forms. There are different types of kutcha houses and here’s how kutcha houses look in different parts of India.
Kath-Kuni from Himachal
Source - Shimla Life
Made of wood, stone and much, these beautiful houses add to the serene charm of the hilly ranges. Despite being made of raw materials these structures can withstand earthquakes, avalanches, and heavy snowfalls. These are usually two or three level kutcha houses where on the ground floor cattle were kept, grains and food in the first floor and on the second floor lived the owner of the house with his/her family. Could you believe such mastery of human minds?
Koti Banal of Uttrakhand
Source - Wonderbug.in
Similar to that of Himachal Pradesh, Koti Banal is yet another marvelous example of Kutcha houses. These houses are built of stone, mud and wood, and are extremely resilient. These houses are called by many names depending on the design of the structure, such as kholi, bakhli and barpatiya.
Chuttillu from Andra Pradesh
Source - Viva Constructions
Made of mud, thatch, bamboo, palmyra leaves, and limewash, these beautiful kutcha houses are circular in shape, and built close to one another so that the structure can withstand strong winds and storms.
Kettuvallam from Kerala
Source - Wikipedia
The word Kettuvallam is derived from two Malayalam words, where kettu means to tie and vallom means boat. Originally to used to transport goods, these boats have now become a popular tourist attraction in a way, and a mode to explore Kerala backwaters.
Shikara from Kashmir
Source: The Urge to Wander
When talking about boat houses how can we forget the beautiful shikharas of Kashmir. Built with wood which are delicately carved into beautiful designs, these boat houses are an art in themselves.
Lepcha House of Sikkim
Source: Trip Advisor
Elevated from the ground, these kutcha houses are made of wood and built by the Lepcha Tribe of Sikkim. The houses are built on an elevated platform to protect the house from flood and moisture. The houses are built using bamboo, wood, and thatch.
Mud Houses of Rajasthan
Circular huts with walls made of clay and thatched roofs are easily recognizable in Rajasthan. These kutcha houses are made from natural materials such as mud, cow dung, hay, and bushes. In the hotter region of Rajasthan, these houses made of clay absorb heat, keeping the house cool from inside.
When you visit different villages of India, you would find many more kutcha house examples waiting for you.
Materials used to build the kutcha house
Some of the common Kutcha materials are:
- Mud
- Hay
- Unburnt bricks
- Limestone
- Wood
- Leaves
- Bamboo
- Straw
- Stones
Now let’s understand what a Pucca house is.
What is a Pucca House?
Pakka house or pakka makan is made of materials such as cement, bricks, concrete, iron rods, and more, which makes the structure robust and capable of withstanding harsh weather conditions, even earthquakes. These houses last longer than kutcha houses, are energy-efficient, and more pleasing to look at, as pakka makan can be designed more aesthetically. However, building a pakka house takes a lot of time, material, and labour and hence costs more than building a kutcha house. Secondly, the house can not be altered or redesigned with ease like the Kutcha Houses.
Materials Used to Build a Pucca House
Some of the pakka house materials:
- Bricks
- Cement
- Concrete
- Wood
- Glass
- Tiles
- Iron Rods
- Steel
- Tiles
Pucca House Examples in India:
House/Villa
Multistory Building
Flats/Apartments
Kutcha House vs Pucca House: Key Differences
Now that you have understood what kutcha house and pucca house are, let’s take a quick look at the differences and get a deeper view into their advantages and disadvantages.
| S.No | Kutcha House | Pucca House |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Made of raw materials like mud, clay, wood, straw, limestone, and bamboo. | Made of materials such as cement, bricks, wood, glass, iron road, concrete, and steel. |
| 2 | Economical and easy to build. | Expensive and takes a lot of time and labour. |
| 3 | Unstable structure. Risk of getting damaged in harsh weather conditions. | Robust structure. Can withstand all weather conditions. |
| 4 | Can be extended or restored with ease. | Takes lots of money and time to alter the structure, extend, or restore damage. |
| 5 | Needs regular maintenance. | Low maintenance. |
| 6 | Considered as a basic necessity. | Seen as a form of investment. |
Conclusion
We hope you have understood the difference between kutcha house and pucca house. We will keep bringing you more such interesting content. If you want to buy your dream home at the best locations of Gurgaon, Noida, and Pune, do not spend time thinking. Just give us a call or drop us your contact details, and Inframantra, one of the top real estate company in Gurgaon, Noida, and Pune will get in touch with you with all the best properties in your area. Inframantra’s goal is to offer you the best properties and make your home buying experience stress-free. So, what are you waiting for? Time is running out. Call us now and get the opportunity to have a home at the best locations of the city.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Can I get a home loan on a kutcha house?
No. Most banks and housing finance companies in India do not provide home loans against kutcha structures. Lenders only finance pucca houses as they are permanent, durable, and hold stable resale value. If you own a kutcha house on a plot, the loan eligibility is assessed on the land value only.
Q2. Can a kutcha house be converted into a pucca house?
Yes. A kutcha house can be upgraded to a pucca house by replacing raw materials like mud and thatch with permanent materials like bricks, cement, and steel. This conversion significantly increases the property's market value, loan eligibility, and long-term resale potential.
Q3. Which is better for investment — kutcha house or pucca house?
From a pure investment standpoint, a pucca house always holds greater value. It appreciates better, qualifies for home loans, and attracts higher resale demand. A kutcha house on a valuable plot is only worth investing in if you plan to demolish and reconstruct it as a pucca structure.
Q4. What is the lifespan of a kutcha house compared to a pucca house?
A kutcha house typically lasts between 5 to 15 years depending on the materials used and weather conditions. A pucca house, built with cement, bricks, and steel, can last 50 to 100 years with proper maintenance.
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