Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 206, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 August 1910 — THE American HOME [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE American HOME

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Mr. 'William A. .Radford will answer ■Questions and give advice FREE OF COST on all subjects pertaining to the subject of building for the readers of this paper. On account of his wide experience as Editor, Author and Manufacturer, he is, without doubt, the ‘highest Authority on all these subjects. Address all inquiries to ’William A. Radford, No. 194 Fifth Ave., Chicago, 111., and only enclose two-cent stamp for reply. The subject of cement construction tor homes has attracted much attention among architects in the last few years, and on account of the popular demand for such houses is bound to remain in the front. There is no ques tion that the well-built cement house fs both economical and sanitary. It Is warm in winter and cool in summer. j Now, lest there be some prejudice in the mind of any reader, it may not\be out of place to make a little reference to one of the aspects of the cement construction field that may remove that prejudice, or help to, at least. It is a fact that some poor work has, been done, especially with •concrete blocks. A campaign was made over the country a few years ago by the machinery men who had concrete block machinery to sell urging every man to buy a machine and •go into the business of making blocks. Alluring inducements even were offered, and thousands of men bought machines who were no more fitted to make, concrete blocks as they should he made, than they were to crochet fancy work. The making of good concrete, whether in the form of blocks or in Y al^s > I s no boy’s job. it requires intelligence, just as any construction work does. Now, the concrete block should not be condemned for what the offenders against it have done. It is human nature to judge things by their worst aspects. And the men who made blocks that absorb water or crumble have done a great mischief to the .block. There are throughout the country thousands of well built concrete block houses that will stand forever and are moisture proof. But one poor house will create

an adverse impression that a dozen good houses cannot overcome. The writer knows of paany fine cement houses that attest the value of cement In home construction. Cement is pliable and capable of being adapted to nearly any design the architect may select. Cement houses require no repairs whatever, and the older they get the more nearly like stone they become, Cement work placed in the Coliseum of -Rome is as strong today as it was

12,000 years ago when it xras put there. So in selecting the materials for the .construction of a home or even of any jother structure that it is desired (Should be lasting no better material Ithan cement can be selected. Now. for cement construction the (design of the home shown here is perfectly adapted. This house may be built of eight-inch concrete blocks for the walls and for the porch, and the round porch columns may be of molded cement. The design calls for an elaborate basement. Here the furnace room will be located and also the kitchen, toilet, a laundry and icoal bin. On the main floor there is ,a good slsed living room, a dining Toom' and two bedrooms. The else

of the house is 23 feet 6 inches wide and 37 long. If it is possible a site should be selected for the house where gravel will be available on the ground for the making of the blocks. This can be taken from the excavation for the basement. If that Is done it will greatly reduce the cost. The blocks should all be made In advance and allowed -plenty of time to cure. The secret of making a concrete block that will be impervious to water is to use a well graded gravfel, that is, a gravel In which the stone*

.vary in size from sand to stones a half inch in diameter. The cement should be sound and plenty of it should be used, with a waterproofing of hydrated lime in the face. The.mixing should be thorough and plenty of water should be used. If these direotlons are followed a block will result that will be waterproof. While the blocks are curing they should be sprin-

kled three times a day for a week or ten days without fail. , The design also is adapted for construction of frame either with the usual siding on the outside or with h cemenj. stucco finish. If cement stucco is used either wooden lath can be placed over furring strips with tar paper underneath or metal lath can be used.

First Floor Plan