SCIENTIFIC VASTU | COMPOUND WALL | An Architect Explains

The Compound wall acts as the first layer of protection from unwanted entrants. It protects the site and house from animals, thieves, etc and serves to demarcate the boundary of the property. The compound wall gives a feeling of safety and security to the property and the residents and it is considered essential in Vastu Shastra. If it is not possible to construct a compound wall, the site /house should be fenced off with fencing or paling.

But even in the construction of a compound wall or fence, there are some important Vastu guidelines to be followed. Listed here, are some of the Vastu Guidelines for a compound wall. Since Vastu Shastra is a science, every guideline is based on logic and reasoning.  As an Architect, I have attempted to explain each of these guidelines rationally and scientifically under the following headings, so that you have a choice and can decide what you want to follow or what you don’t, instead of looking at Vastu Shastra as a superstition:

According to Vastu, when should the compound wall be constructed?
What re the Vastu guidelines regarding the shape of the compound wall ?
What are the Vastu guidelines for the height of the compound wall?
What are the Vastu guidelines for the gates in a compound wall?
What are the Vastu guidelines for the construction of a compound wall?

 


 
ACCORDING TO VASTU, WHEN SHOULD THE COMPOUND WALL BE CONSTRUCTED? 
Compound Wall construction: The third thing to be constructed  after the Water Well and the Storage Shed is the Compound Wall. This should be built just before the construction of the House begins. The Reasoning – The purpose of the Compound wall is to protect the site and the material stored in the Storage shed, from the outside environment, from thieves, etc. However, if there are buildings all around the site, the Compound wall can be done after the construction.
compound-wall
Construction should begin on an auspicious day. The Reasoning – Since the Compound wall is meant to protect from the elements ans thieves etc,  psychologically the owner will feel that he will be protected if the construction is done at an auspicious time.

Northern part of Compound Wall to be built last: The Reasoning The Northern and Eastern sides are to be left open to allow Sunlight into the House, and the building is to be built in the South-West corner. Therefore, it is advisable to build the North Compound wall later as it is easier to dump building materials in the Northern open space.


 


WHAT ARE THE VASTU GUIDELINES REGARDING THE SHAPE OF  THE COMPOUND WALL?

The compound wall should have only 4 corners, it should not have 5 corners. However, if the 5th corner extension is either towards the Northern North-East or Eastern North-East then it is acceptable. If the 5th corner is towards Southeast, Northwest or Southwest then it is not vastu compliant. The reasoning: The extra 5th corner in the North-East includes an extension which ensures more sunlight from the North-Eastern point.

The compound wall should not be rounded at the North-East corner though it can make an acute angle here. However, the compound wall can be rounded in the South-West corner but if possible, should be avoided in the North-West and South-East corners. The Reasoning: The rounding in the North-East causes some space to be lost in the North-East which is detrimental according to Vastu. This is because, the sunlight lighting up the site and house is reduced because of the loss of space.

 


WHAT ARE THE VASTU GUIDELINES FOR THE HEIGHT OF THE COMPOUND WALL?

Compound Wall should not be higher than the House: The Reasoning – If the Compound wall is higher than the house, it will cut off light to the House.

Compound wall should not be higher than the house

Compound Wall should be higher and thicker in the South and West sides : The Compound walls on the North and East sides should be a foot (12 inches) shorter than on the West and South sides. If this is not possible, then the North and East sides should be a minimum of (3 inches) shorter. The Reasoning – The higher and thicker Compound wall on the South-West, prevents the hot evening Sun rays from heating up the house and the lower compound on the North-East allows the useful morning Sunlight into the House.

If the site is sloping, a stepped compound wall can be built with height increasing in steps from East to West and North to South; so that the maximum height of the compound wall is towards at the South-West corner and minimum height at the North-East corner. The scientific reason:  Same as above.

Compound Wall should be two-thirds the height of the main door: The Reasoning The Compound wall should not be taller than the house but should be tall enough to give the inmates a sense of privacy.


 


WHAT ARE THE VASTU GUIDELINES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A COMPOUND WALL?

Heavy building materials like stone boulders should only be used in the South and West while light materials like honeycomb brick structure or grilled fence can be used in the North and East parts provided privacy is not a problem.The reason: South and West are the directions that get heated up and so a thicker compound wall is beneficial in cutting out the heat. The North and East should be as open as possible to allow the useful sunlight into the site.

Always start excavation work for compound wall foundation from the North-East and end in the South-West corner. From the North-East, proceed towards North-West and again from the North-East proceed towards the South-East, and from South-East towards South-West. Southwest should be the last point to be excavated. The scientific reason: This ensures that the North and East are always lower than the rest of the site which allows for the sunlight and magnetic radiations to permeate the whole site.

Start laying the foundation of the Compound wall from the South-West and end in the North-East. The scientific reason: The same reason as above.

Do not place heavy earthen flower pots on the compound wall, especially towards North and East directions. The Reason: Earthen pots are as it is heavy; with soil and water they become very heavy and can cause cracks in the compound wall over time. Also they can block out light.

 


WHAT ARE THE VASTU GUIDELINES FOR THE MAIN GATE AND SMALLER GATES?

Two gates are preferable: The Reasoning – It makes sense to have a big gate for the car to enter and a smaller gate which is easier to handle near the entrance for daily going in and out.

two-gates
Two gates are preferable

Avoid gates in the extreme corners: The Reasoning It is inconvenient to open and close a gate that is fixed to the corners of the wall. Also frequent use of the gate can weaken the corner wall.

Main gate and the entrance door should face the same direction: The Reasoning For visitors entering through the gate, it is easier for them to notice the main door if the door is also facing the same direction as the gate.

The pillar to which the gate is attached should not be in the line of the main door. The Reasoning – It looks and feels like an obstruction when you open the door. 

Avoid a gate in the South side: The Reasoning The South is not considered auspicious for an entrance, but obviously if your Site is a South facing one, the gate has to be in the South side.

Gates should open clockwise: The ReasoningSince the majority of the population is right-handed, it is easier to push open a door or gate in the clockwise direction.

This post was about the Construction of the Compound Wall. Read about the next Stage of Construction:






If you found this post useful, all it takes is a simple click on the “pin it” “like,” “share,” “tweet,” or Google+ buttons below the post. 

Related Topics:

89 thoughts on “SCIENTIFIC VASTU | COMPOUND WALL | An Architect Explains

  • April 6, 2016 at 8:12 pm
    Permalink

    Dear sir,
    What is the remidie to overcome from the neighbours compound wall hieght problems to my house
    Hi Vishwanath Rao,
    I am not sure if you have a high or a low neighbouring, compound wall. If it is low and you want privacy, grow some hedges. But if it is high, there is nothing you can do as you cannot lower it. But the light to your house could be reduced and so, you could paint the wall on your side white, so that light can be reflected. Avoid putting plants that could reduce the light.
    Admin

  • April 27, 2016 at 2:49 am
    Permalink

    our house is in south west corner plot with main door facing West. Stair case was built on westsouth corner,leaving 2 feet from south side. staircase was built on west compound wall. Is this allowed as per vastu ?? if not, how to rectify without removing staircase and compound wall ?? Pl advise me. thanks
    Hi Srinivasa Sai,
    Ideally, no part of the house including staircase should touch the boundary wall. But what has been done, let it be.
    Admin

  • June 8, 2016 at 7:39 am
    Permalink

    Our house is in 30×80 feet plot facing north direction.Can we have three gates. One 3 feet at northeast for tenent passage , one 8 feet gate with slope ramp for car parking which is 4.5 feet from northeast corner and other gate 4 feet for our passage use adjecent to car parking gate ie is at about12.5 feet from north east corner.whether three gates may be provided or the tenant passage may be left with out gate as open passage in the north east corner since it is having one inner gate for their safety.
    Hi Kalaimani,
    Better to have the three gates.
    Admin

  • August 7, 2016 at 7:04 am
    Permalink

    Hello Sir,
    Thank you for these guidelines. We have a combined compound wall to the East side and our neighbor wants to increase its height as he says that half the thickness of the wall belongs to him. He wants to increase the height by building it in half the thickness of the wall. Please suggest a remedy.
    Hi Raju,
    Well, he has a right to do that. But according to some rules, the height of the compound wall must be restricted to 5′ You will have to check with the rules in your area.
    Admin

  • August 23, 2016 at 1:02 am
    Permalink

    Sir,

    I want to construct a new house facing north ,prior to it I would like to complete compound wall. Is it right?
    Hi Subba Rao,
    Yes you can do the compound wall first. But if you are planning to construct the house in the near future, for practical purposes, it is better not to do the front compound wall. Finish it after the construction is complete.
    Admin

  • August 28, 2016 at 1:52 am
    Permalink

    Hello sir,
    My factory is south facing. I want to know that my plot is bigger in south then my neighbour which is situated in east. Should i make south boundry wall straight with neighbours boundry wall or may make upword to his boundry wall. Pl suggest.
    Hi Abhisek,
    While constructing the boundary wall, build it right upto the neighbor’s site, as you will be creating a no-mans land in between which cannot be used by you. Instead using hedge plants create a rectangular boundary and use the excess triangular space for a flower/herb garden.
    Admin

  • September 2, 2016 at 12:27 am
    Permalink

    Hello Sir,
    Could you please answer my below questions
    1. What should be the minimum balcony we need to maintain in East and North sides of the house in first floor?
    2. What should be the minimun open to sky we have to maintain in East and North sides of the plot?
    Hi Vinod,
    There is no minimum or maximum in such matters. Ideally there should be more open space in the East and North.
    Admin

  • October 3, 2016 at 12:09 am
    Permalink

    Hi Sir/Madam,
    I’m looking for north facing house. Could you please advise me if the staircase in north facing house should touch the compound wall or should we maintain gap between staircase and compound wall?
    If compound wall and staircase do not have any gap, will that be considered not Vastu compliant?
    Regards,
    Venu
    Hi Venu,
    Ideally there should be a gap to allow for light and ventilation. But since yours is a North facing plot and the staircase is in the north, it should be okay.
    Admin

  • November 4, 2016 at 2:02 am
    Permalink

    Dear Sir
    Good afternoon! Wonderful suggestions and advices.
    Thank U Sir.
    Ashok Panigrahi
    From Jamshedpur
    Hi Ashok Kumar,
    Thank you for your feedback and appreciation.
    Admin

  • November 26, 2016 at 8:03 pm
    Permalink

    HELLO,
    Good morning
    My house is south facing. In front of our plot there is a “T”junction of 100′ wide road. That junction is not exactly aligned at the center of our plot,it is aligned towards west-side of my plot.Please suggest me where to put my main gate.
    Hi Sukanya,
    Place the gate in the East side.
    Admin

  • December 21, 2016 at 12:04 am
    Permalink

    My plot has road on East and West I have a north facing entrance. In order to avoid the neighbor look into the house the compound wall only in front of the mail door was raised by few feet. Finally we realized that the neighboring plot is a ground. So this raise is not required.
    Is this ok as per Vasstu? Can I leave it as it is or if it is not as per Vaastu should I break the few feet raise and have the wall height uniform.
    Regards
    kalidhas
    Hi Kalidhas,
    Better to have all the walls at one level instead of raising one portion. This way, you will get more light and air into your house.
    Admin

  • January 18, 2017 at 10:54 am
    Permalink

    Hi Sir,
    My house is south faced, i would like to construct a shed at east side associate with kitchen as a store room (iron grill wall & door type with aluminum roofing). Is there any problem to connect the east wall with the compound wall @ 2 ft hight to fix the grills ) Due to limited space (3 feets from east wall to compound wall) I’m forced to connect this? Please advise if there is any problem for vastu.
    Regards,
    Hi,
    There is no problem. You can construct the shed. only make sure light to the main house is not obstructed by this addition.
    Admin

  • January 24, 2017 at 11:47 am
    Permalink

    Good information. Indeed.
    But couldn’t see any ideal advise about measuring speciation.
    I mean main gate driveway width pocket gate width and etc.
    Hi,
    There are no ideal sizes. the gate widths depend on your requirement. generally for parking a car inside, you need a gate of 9′-12′ width. for smaller picket gates, you can have 3.5′-5′ in width.
    Admin

  • February 28, 2017 at 1:20 am
    Permalink

    we have a house in the southwest corner. main entrance is toward west. now we r planning to demolish and construct a new building facing towards south leaving cellar. where should be the staircase. pls suggest.
    Hi,
    The staircase position depends on the layout of the house. ideally it should not be in the NE corner and should not block light from the East or North. Consult your architect.
    Admin

  • March 16, 2017 at 3:15 am
    Permalink

    Dear Sir,
    I want fix 4 gates to my house and out of which one small gate.
    1. main gate of 12 feet at Northeast at North side
    2. Small gate infront of main door at North side
    3. another gate of 10 feet at Northeast at East side
    4. a gare of 12 feet required for car parking at Southeast towards East side. please advice on the acceptance of vastu on possiting this gate.
    Hi,
    Keep three gates instead of 4 gates. However if they are all required go ahead. iT should be okay because it is a corner site.
    Admin

  • May 17, 2017 at 10:13 am
    Permalink

    Thanks for very useful suggestions.i have a query.my house is constructed east-west and main door opens to north.i have plans to construct two rooms as an extension of the house to the west.would it be favourable according to vastu?Please advise
    Hi,
    Yes it is okay as the extension will serve as a buffer to the hot afternoon sun.
    Admin

  • May 25, 2017 at 3:15 am
    Permalink

    Dear Sir,
    My house is east facing and compound wall is 4 feet, can we increase the height of wall on West side only by to 5.5 or 6 feet(to avoid misuse of wall on backside) that would extend may be 1 feet on north and south wall height also.Can you please tell if its a right move?
    Regards,
    Rajesh T
    Hi,
    Yes it is preferable to increase the height of the compound wall on the west and south sides.
    Admin

  • July 11, 2017 at 12:49 am
    Permalink

    Can i have three gates for my single house
    Hi,
    yes that is preferable.
    Admin

  • July 27, 2017 at 1:18 am
    Permalink

    Hello sir, My house is south facing plot. We are planning to build a compound wall in the south west corner till it is fully closed in height. We are planning to put a big gate at the south eastern side. the south plot measures 17 feet. we are planning to close 4 feet on the south west side and leave the south east open with a gate. Is this measurement fine or should we increase the length by 5.5 feet on the southwest side? Is there close:open (ration) we need to follow with constructing compound wall on the south side?
    Hi,
    No ratio to be followed, but it is preferable to restrict the closed portion to within one third of the site length, so in your case within 5.5′
    Admin

  • September 8, 2017 at 10:00 pm
    Permalink

    Dear Sir,
    I want to construct a new house in a South West corner plot with 30 Feet road on South and 23 Feet road on West.
    Seeking your expert advise in this regard.
    1) Can i Build the house facing East or North direction ?
    2) Can i have more than 1 Gates ?
    3) Which is the best location to have the Gate ?
    Thanks & Regards,
    Raj
    Hi,
    Yes you can a) build the house facing East or North,
    b) Have more than one gate.
    c) have the big gate into the porch and a smaller gate opposite the main door.
    Admin

  • October 2, 2017 at 9:50 am
    Permalink

    Hi sir am harish our house built in 30/40 site east facing compound wall on all directions but compound wall on south only one feet gap only air circulation is it ok
    Hi,
    In a 30/40 site there are space limitations and so 1′ for air circulation is okay.
    Admin

  • October 14, 2017 at 9:27 pm
    Permalink

    My building facing east, it’s compound entrance towards south ,so where can I put gate in that.
    Hi,
    Put the gate in the SE.
    Admin

  • October 19, 2017 at 5:58 am
    Permalink

    My plot is 40X50 east facing. Ideally it should be 40 feet at east side but i have 39.6 at east side and 40 feet at west side. i want to leave set backs 1 feet 9 inches at south and north side (including wall widths).
    And 2 feet (including wall width) at east side and west side. Can i build a wall in way at north-west side wall width be more (around 9 inches) and gradually decreasing wall width when reaches to north east corner (like 2-3 inches wall) so that gap will be 1 feet 6 inches at north side.
    Hi,
    please dont reduce wall thickness, it affects the structural stability. instead keeping the NE corner as your reference, mark your building in the site. There will be a little more space in inches in the South compared to the NOrth but it does not matter. The building should be perfectly recatngular.
    Admin

  • February 28, 2018 at 3:20 am
    Permalink

    Sir,
    My house is North faced one.
    Main entrance is in North direction middle position. Car parking place is at North West side. Please suggest the boundary wall Gate positions .

  • April 10, 2018 at 3:44 am
    Permalink

    sir,

    i recently constructed north east plot in hyderabad i put total 7+1 doors one inside bathroom with teakwood frame door is ok or not some specialist telling like that total doors are coutable under the slab and some people telling bathroom doors not countable which is the right and which is the wrong please confirm me sir.

  • June 10, 2018 at 11:29 pm
    Permalink

    I have purchased a plot . The main gate is on west side . I want to make a boundary wall with round shape in north west & north east Cornor. This is for easy veichle movement. Please advise wheather it’s ok ?

  • November 2, 2018 at 11:53 pm
    Permalink

    Dear sir,
    We have started constructing the house. The house is North facing. The west side property line in tapering. Around 12′ space (Property line to building line) at North-west corner and around 5′ space (Property line to building line) at South-west corner. We want to build the compound wall along the tapering property line-west side. The contractor advised us to make the compound wall parallel to the building line. This will create an empty unusable space between the compound wall and the property line. The property is in a a village. Kindly advise if we can built the compound wall on the wet side along the tapering property line? Or should it really be parallel to the buidling? Any alternate design solution? Kindly advise as per vaastu.

    Reagrds,
    Vijay

  • February 1, 2019 at 2:30 pm
    Permalink

    I would like to know the vastu doshas and remedies if there is an increase on South East side area of the plot.
    There is a slight increase on South East side, shall I buy the plot or not

  • May 22, 2019 at 9:46 am
    Permalink

    Sir southwest corner compound wall is not in 90 degree there is a lot of space at south side and gardening trees .. any vastu ..

  • June 23, 2019 at 10:51 am
    Permalink

    Hi Sir/Madam
    My husband house is west facing. Main door facing west. But road is in south. Can we build gate in the south as there is no option in other sides of land. Please reply

  • July 19, 2019 at 8:58 pm
    Permalink

    Hello Sir,

    I constructed a small hut-shaped house in North facing 220sq yard plot with garden in 60% of plot. Due to some reason I constructed one extra kitchen in southeast corner. Now the extra kitchen or you can say outer kitchen’s south and east wall is on the compound wall of southeast corner of compound wall. Is this OK or should I break this? One more problem has happened…That is later after my house construction…In South West side from back a road was made at southwest corner in another venture. Sir please give me the remedy to this.

    Thanking you,

    Regards

  • November 29, 2019 at 2:02 am
    Permalink

    Sir,
    In my company provided house, there is a boundary using angle and wires. I have used tin sheets in north and part of east side. My north-east corner is slightly round shape instead of making 90 degree. Is it a big problem ? Small problem ? What is required to correct it ? 90 gree or can I make acute angle ?

    Sanjay

  • January 16, 2020 at 12:55 am
    Permalink

    dear sir,
    my house is facing towards west wards and we have gates on both side bigger gate at near south west side and small gate is north west side ,but my question is we do not have parking facilite for car parking
    so we wanted remove the compound of west side from small gate to bigger gate ,

    is any problem is vasthu ,if i remove the compound wall
    and two gates remain same place
    please suggest

  • April 19, 2020 at 9:51 am
    Permalink

    Hii
    The north compound wall is higher than south compound wall. The north compound wall has been raised by our nieghbour. Our house is south facing.
    Kindly give us the remedy what should be done now.

  • August 7, 2020 at 12:16 am
    Permalink

    Respected sir my neighbour increased height of compound wall which is east side to my house.shall increase height of west side compound wall .please advise me sir

  • August 11, 2020 at 2:12 pm
    Permalink

    Namaste sir, my plot is west faced one, we constructed house, my compound wall, gate are in some more height to te road, now it is getting hard to put my vehicle in the house, because of higher height of my gate ramp, how to decrease the height of gate ramp in west faced plot, according to vastu

  • December 9, 2020 at 7:36 am
    Permalink

    Hello,
    Can we elevate our north to east boundary wall by placing fibre sheet frames to cover the junk of the hospital that is sharing the same wall and is visible . I have read that north to east side wall should be lower .Does the fibre sheet will be consider as a part of boundary wall or separate as per Vastu Shastra. Please suggest.

  • December 16, 2020 at 10:13 am
    Permalink

    Compare to all pillars, can we reduce the height of northeast corner pillar of building ?

  • May 7, 2021 at 3:36 pm
    Permalink

    I am planning to buy a south facing independent house. can you please confirm if position of main door should be 4th pada of actual built-up area (50 ft wide at front) or overall lot (75 feet wide at front) ?

    Hi Pooja,
    The main door position should be with reference to the actual house width (50 ft).
    Admin

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

error: Content is protected !!