Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 August 1912 — IDEAS FOR HOME BUILDERS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

IDEAS FOR HOME BUILDERS

BY WMARADFORD.

A. Radford will answer qnestiohs and give advtee FREE OF COST on ail 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. ITS West Jackson boulevard. Chicago, 111., and only enclose two-cent stamp for reply. • 1,. ■ There are perhaps more square houses built in the Middle West than houses of any other style Or design. By square houses” is meant houses with plain, straight sides and square corners, in which the width nearly or quite equals the length. “Rectilinear." perhaps, would be a more accurate term, but that does not convey an impression of the square appearance that Bueh houses have. Economy in building and economy in heating, both have their influence. Houses of the “square” type range from 22 by 28 feet to 30 by 36 feet in size, and they contain from six to eight rooms—seldom less than six and seldom more than eight. They are built either full two stories, with an attic; or like this one. with some of the windows elevated above the eaves to admit light to the upper rooms. This particular house Is one of six rooms. 26 feet wide and about 27 feet 6 inches from front to rear. It, is a very economical house to builds It is all plain, straight work, except the dormer windows; and these are as plain as they can be and still look well. Such houses aVfe so easily built that a great many of them are put up in country places without architectural plans; but that is, generally speaking, a mistake. Good working drawings are so cheap nowadays that no one can afford to take chances on haphazard work. You can always recognize houses that have been built after the ideas of a local carpenter, just the same as you can spot a suit of homemade clothes by the amateur expression that smiles at you when you 6ee them. They may contain the best of material put together in a good, Solid way; but when the job is done, it lacks the stamp of finished excellence

that only years of experience in cutting and fitting can give. It is a mistake to take chances on amateur talent when yon can secure expert advice and experience for a few dollars. In this house, what would otherwise be a very plain living room, is made attractive by a fashionable windowseat and a triple casement window In the front part of the room. There are a variety of these windows to choose from. Some are hinged at the side so that the sash may be opened inward like a door; in others, the sash is pivoted in the center, at top and bottom; some are hinged at the top; and still other designs are hinged at the side

■o as to open outward. Where the sash swing out, the fly screens are fitted on the inside, the advantage claimed being that you can hang curtains in any way you want them, and not have them disturbed by opening and shutting the windows. Because such windows are becoifinig~poj>ular, it is only natural to suppose that women like them. They certainly produce a stylish effect, and that goes a long way

In building a bouse it pays to investigate the new things, both by reading and by observation. You can always find a new house that contains some of the fashionable Ideas, ideas that are popular, the ideas that up-to-date architects like to work into their designs. Some of these are very attractive and add very much to the appearance of a house, while others are simply suitable to go with certain combinations. The owner is the one most vitally Interested; but a little advice fj-om a successful architect goes a long way. and lasts a long time afterwards. You don’t build a house every > ear. It pays to He careful. Long years of experience in building medium-priced houses has demonstrated a few facts that everyone

should know. For the health gs the family, you must haye good drainage, sufficient ventilation, and an abundance of sunshine. In the face of modern invention, every new house should be piped for gas and for hot and cold water, and wired for electricity. Every house should contain provision for comfortable, easy heating; and every house should have a good bathroom. These things are essential, both for health and for comfort; to neglect them means to regret it as long as you live in the house. Other things

not so important, and still desirable, will suggest themselves, and may be adopted or rejected according to the size of the bouse and the expense a person feels justified in going into; but the demands of health and comfort come first.

Second Floor Plan.

First Floor Plan.