Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 91, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 February 1912 — IDEAS FOR HOME BUILDERS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

IDEAS FOR HOME BUILDERS

B Y WM.A.RADFORD,

Mr. William A. Radford will answer I 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 without doubt, the highest authority on all these subjects. Address all inquiries ♦o William A. Radford, No. 178 West Jackson boulevard, Chicago, 111., and only enclose two-cent stamp for reply. Home building is pretty apt to be a matter of sentiment, especially for young people planning their lirst house. They always have the advice of a good many loving friends, not to mention that of the real estate dealer, all tuned to the key that to acquire a house by easy monthly payments is far greater business wisdom than to pay rent. Yet, no matter bow strong and logical such arguments may be, the fact remains that it Is sentiment, that has the greatest influence In making them decide to build. The joy and satisfaction of actually owning a plot of land and a snug little dwelling; the magic influence of the word “home”—these are the things that seem important. Still, castles in the air have to be brought down to earth before they can be built. It is ar great pleasure to dream of having a fine home and to make plans for all the luxuries of home building that sentiment might inspire, but young people can’t afford to really build in that way. It Is right to start as soon as possible to build a home, but don’t think that It has to be a mansion. Love In a oottage Is best, especially In the early years, for there the responsibilities are less, the work of housekeeping is slight, and the cost, both for the house itself and for Its upkeep and management, is within reach. There are so many urgent cases for money In these days that every one should be interested In planning and building a house as economically as possible. There are some placets where It is good to economize, other places where economy Is very short-

sighted; and it Is a strange thing that the inexperienced builder usually picks out those features to economize on where the saving of a few dollars in the first cost will result In hundreds of dollars of added expense throughout the life of the building. An instance of this is the heating plant. One of the first parts of a dwelling to be slighted, if any economizing is to be done, is usually the heating plant. Competition is so keen between the heating contractors themselves that they have got into the habit of figuring the furnace of Just as small a size as possible in order to keep the amount of their bid

down. Yet eyen after that, the owner In his short-sightedness often induces the heating man to put in a smaller Bize still, so as to save ten or fifteen dollars on the job. Really the sare way is always to insist on having a size larger than the furnace contractor recommends. A furnace of good size will heat a house easily without crowding the fire, and besides heating the house satisfactorily burns less coal than the small size furnace crowded hard to heat the building during cold weather. The furnace is just ope Instance of the false economy that 1b often practiced. The plastering Is often slighted in much the same way, and when

it comes, to the painting of the house, both interior and exterior, too frequently poor materials are used bocause they can be had from unscrupulous paint dealer, who claims they are “just as good," at a saving of fifteen or twenty dollars on the entire job. These are economies, pertaining to the quality and amount of materials used, that are very short-sighted. Real economy in home building comes through selecting the proper design for the building. In a dwelling, such

as is illustrated herewith for Instance, practically S3OO is saved by using the gambrel roof coming down low, almost to the first story; Instead or having the walls go straight up to a full fwo-story height with a gambrel roof attic above, three hundred dollars is a pretty big price to pay for an attic, which has very little use except as a place to store away,old furniture; and

young people have usually very little of this. U-' i '~ Such a design as this is also economical in that its general outline i 3 very nearly square in form. It is not cut up” as so many houses are, and the carpenters find such a building much easier to # frame and finish and bo are able to do the work for very much less. Xt the same time, a residence of simple square outline contains a maximum of usable space inside and if properly laid out the rooms are. very convenient and horne-like. So we see that there are real economies which should be considered in home building and some false economies toi be avoided. It is sentiment that urges the building of the home to start with, but it is sound business sense that carries the building project to a successful completion. an£ counsel of a reliable fi-rpMtfcct who has made a special study of residence work is invaluable in this connection The writer has been able to give practical advice to thousands of home builders in every part of the country that has saved them a great dear of money. In offering the accompanying design, which Is estimated to cost $2,200, he feels confident that many helpful ideas, both as to convenient arrangement of the interior and attractive outside appearance, may be gained by who will build the-xoming year.

Second Floor Plan.

First Floor Plan,