The Yucatan peninsula has a rich history and culture that goes back for many centuries, and this can be experience when you see so many beautiful buildings from different periods. From the magnificent Mayan palaces to the colonial and modern houses, there is a unique architectural tradition; a mix local materials and ancient construction techniques. These architectural designs create the beautiful Yucatan real estate.
These materials and techniques are still in use throughout the Yucatan Peninsula and you are likely to find them in your dream house. If you want to learn more about the unique construction materials that are used in the Yucatan Peninsula, keep reading our list.
Yucatan Real Estate, Construction Techniques & Materials Used: Piedra Labrada (Carved Stone)
This material and technique come from the Mayans, who used limestone for their buildings and sculptures. Spaniards often took the material to the Mayan artisans to build many of the colonial buildings that exist in Yucatan.
Today, carved stone can be found in colonial buildings, where it is used to decorate friezes, windows and doors. Nowadays, it is also used to decorate facades on modernist buildings.
An example of the use of the techniques of local limestone masonry can be found in the new pre-construction condo development Agua de Mar located in the town of Tulum.
Agua de Mar Condos in Tulum
Yucatan Real Estate, Construction Techniques & Materials Used: Mamposteria (Rock Masonry)
This is an old technique used in all of the Yucatan, it is uses limestone and with mortar to build thick walls; ideal for keeping cool temperature inside the houses.
This technique is used primarily in the state of Yucatan, but this tradition is in decline, as people prefer to use new building systems. If you want to have a masonry house, it is still possible to find builders that have preserved this tradition.
If you are looking for a house with masonry walls, you can see our beautiful colonial properties like this restored colonial home in Merida.
Modern use of Masonry/Mamposteria in a house in Merida
Yucatan Real Estate, Construction Techniques & Materials Used: Albarrada (Dry Stone Walls)
As you get into the state of Yucatan and visit one of its many small villages, you’ll see the widespread use of the Albarrada. This dry stone wall is made ​​by hand, and consists of walls made ​​with stones of different sizes without using any mortar to bind them together.
Yucatan Real Estate, Construction Techniques & Materials Used: Palapa
This construction system has Mayan origins, who still use palapas as their traditional homes; either with wood or masonry walls. The thatched roof allows a good height, which helps to keep the house cool. In addition to creating an overhead that covers the sides of the buildings, palapas all so prevent water from entering through doors and windows.
The traditional Palapa is made ​​from the leaves of the Chit palm, but the excessive demand for this material has put the species near extinction; so nowadays many palapa are made ​​with a locally grown grass.
Palapas are widely used in local buildings, either in patios, verandas or in the garden as a place to gather with friends and family. Here is an example of a property in Akumal that uses a palapa in there patio.
Palapa Roof in Akumal
Yucatan Real Estate, Construction Techniques & Materials Used: Sascab
Limestone is one of the most abundant materials in the region, as the soil in the Yucatan is formed from fossilized coral. This material has been used since the time of the Maya, who called it sascab, and used it to build their white roads or sacbe.
Today this material is used in abundance for roads within a building, or to create low-maintenance gardens. Here is an example of use of sascab.
Sacbe Road at Los Arboles Tulum
Yucatan Real Estate, Construction Techniques & Materials Used: Chukum
Chukum is the name of a tree native to the Yucatan Peninsula, whose bark has been used for centuries by the Mayans to seal walls and prevent water leakage and humidity. This technique was left in oblivion for many years, with the creation of new insulating materials; but it has had a strong resurgence in recent years.
This materal can be mixed with white cement for finishing concrete walls as well as swimming pools. Chukum is also used in the renovation of colonial buildings and modernist houses, as it gives the walls a rustic finish on a warm yellow-pinkish color.
Hacienda Sac Chich
So, next time your architect or builder tells you about palapas, sascab or mamposterÃa; you will know exactly what they are talking about. There are so many interesting construction materials & techniques used nowadays in Yucatan real estate!
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