6,000 brick, laid complete, at $12 per M. 72.00
1,636 ft. timber, at $15 per M. 24.50
2 sills, 3 × 8 in. 29 ft. long.
2 sills, 3 × 3 in. 16 ft. long.
4 posts, 4 × 7 in. 21 ft. long.
28 beams, 3 × 8 in. 16 ft. long.
2 ties, 4 × 6 in. 29 ft. long.
2 plates, 4 × 6 in. 29 ft. long.
2 ties, 4 × 6 in. 16 ft. long.
2 plates, 4 × 6 in. 16 ft. long.
32 rafters, 3 × 4 in. 12 ft. long, at 20c. 6.40
200 wall-strips, 2 × 4 in. 13 ft. long, at 11c. 22.00
162 novelty siding-boards, 9½ in., at 28c. 45.36
28 rabbeted siding, 10 in., at 28c. 7.84
97 flooring spruce, 9½ in., at 28c. 27.16
123 shingling-lath, 1¼ × 2 in., at 6c. 7.38
22 bunches shingles, 18 in., at $1.25. 27.50
14 windows, with blinds, two stories, 9 at $8; 5 at $3. 87.00
2 stairs, $25; 11 doors and trimmings, $44; 1 stoop
materials, $10. 79.00
14 rough spruce-plank, 1¼ × 10 in., at 30c. 4.20
100 feet cornice materials. 20.00
Carpenter’s labor (not included above). 90.00
350 yards plastering, three coats, at 25c. 87.50
Cartage, average one mile. 12.00
Painting, two coats, $40; extras, for tin, nails,
etc. $31.56. 71.56
-------
Total cost in above style. $700.00
[Illustration: Fig. 20.—ELEVATION OF HOUSE.—Scale, 8 feet to 1 inch.]
[Illustration: Fig. 21.—CELLAR.—Scale, 8 feet to 1 inch.]
[Illustration: Fig. 22.—FIRST STORY.—Scale, 8 feet to 1 inch.]
[Illustration: Fig. 23.—SECOND STORY.—Scale, 8 feet to 1 inch.]
[Illustration: Fig. 24.]
[Illustration: Fig. 25.]
DESIGN VII.
COUNTRY HOUSE, COSTING $750 TO $1,050.
These plans represent a commodious dwelling house, constructed with
especial regard for economy and utility, and they will be appreciated
by those desiring to provide a comfortable, permanent shelter for home
by the use of limited means.... ELEVATION, (fig 26).—In preparing
plans for “low-priced” houses, the simplest outlines are indicated.
Having to combine usefulness and small outlay, there can be no latitude
for architectural display, beyond mere matters of accommodation and
completeness. The exterior of this example fairly expresses its domestic
purpose. The breadth of the front, the preponderance of horizontal lines,
and the hooded roof, are each indicative of strength, and suggest its
adaptation to rural situations. The satisfactory appearance of this
house will greatly depend on its location. The best results would be
obtained by placing it on a slight knoll, giving it additional altitude.
This would prevent its being obscured by shrubbery and trees, which
are indispensable accompaniments of a properly developed homestead....
CELLAR, (fig. 27).—Hight, 6½ feet. It has three windows, an outside
entrance, and stairway leading to the kitchen above.... FIRST STORY,
(fig. 28.)—Hight of ceiling, 10 feet. The accommodations, consisting
of five rooms, a pantry, and two closets, are adapted to a good-sized
family. The Parlor and Kitchen are the principal rooms, and occupy the
middle portion, their sides being protected by other rooms, and, having
the fire-place between them, they are easily warmed. The device for
heating _described_ for Design III. would serve admirably in this house.
Two Bedrooms adjoin the parlor. Many might choose to have _double_ doors
entering these bedrooms, to allow all three rooms to be used together
occasionally. This would not preclude the use of the smaller ones as
bedrooms, or, if preferred, as a sewing-room and a library. The Kitchen
is the largest apartment, and has doors leading to the pantry, bedroom,
parlor, stairway, and the rear entrance. The outside or entrance doors
may be protected in severe seasons by storm-doors hung to open outward,
with loose joint-buts to allow of their ready removal. The rear veranda
is similar to the front one shown on the elevation.... SECOND STORY,
(fig. 29).—The front portion only is finished, with ceilings 8 feet high,
and is divided into two chambers and four closets. The rear portion
is left unfinished, to be used as an open garret. The space above the
ceiling of the finished portion may be floored over with boards, to
serve for storage of quilting-frames, trunks, etc.... CONSTRUCTION.—The
excavations for the cellar are 4 feet deep. The foundation-walls are of
broken stone, laid in mortar, and show 2 feet above the earth-grade. A
strong girder, resting on large posts, or columns of stone or brick,
supports the center of the building. In setting the girder, it should be
elevated from ½ to ¾ of an inch in the center, rising gradually from each
end, to allow for settling, which invariably occurs from shrinkage of the
interior frame-work. The timber for the frame-work is indicated in the
estimates below, and is substantially framed together. All the outside
studding is _halved_ over the principal timbers, to prevent vertical
shrinkage from affecting the exterior covering of the side-walls. The
exterior covering is of lath and plaster, as follows: all cornices
and other dressings, and the roof, should first be completed—and all
window and door frames set and cased. The outside frame should then be
thoroughly lathed outside and inside. _All this is to prevent jarring
or pounding on these parts during the application or setting of the
plaster._ The plaster is made in the usual manner of fresh lime and sharp
sand, with half a bushel of hair to each barrel of lime used, and allowed
to lay two weeks to insure a thorough slaking and permeation of the lime.
It is then applied in two coats—the first a “scratch,” the second a
“browning.” The surface is floated with a darby, (not trowelled). After
having stood a sufficient time to become dry, the whole is covered with
a preparation called “Stearate of Lime,” using an ordinary white-wash
brush. The formula for making this stearate of lime (known only to a
few, who have treated it as a secret,) is here published for the first
time, and it will be understood by those familiar with the nature and
operation of slaking lime. The ingredients are simply fresh-burned
finishing-lime, using the lumps only, unrendered beef-suet, and hot
water. It is necessary that these parts be kept in lively motion while
dissolving, or they will be entirely destroyed by “burning.” The usual
process is to sink a large barrel, having an open end, 2 feet in the
ground, pounding the earth around to make it firm. An upright piece, 4
inches in diameter, and 6 feet long, is set upright in the center of the
barrel, and held in position by cleats at the bottom and top, leaving
the upright free to turn. Arms are put through the upright within the
barrel, and a cross-bar or lever is attached to the upper end—the whole
making an apparatus similar to a “clay-mill.” One bushel of lime, 20
lbs. of suet (chopped fine), and a barrel of boiling water are provided;
and while one works the “mill,” another feeds alternately lime, suet,
and hot water. This quantity of material, costing about $2, will make
a full barrel of the preparation. Any desired shade may be afterwards
given by adding stainers. This mixture is applied while hot—two coats
being necessary to insure a thorough covering. This will also be found a
valuable preparation for covering exterior brick or concrete work. It is
impervious to water, and will outlast any of the paints prepared for such
purpose. All other information concerning the finish of this house may be
inferred upon a careful study of the following estimates.—ESTIMATE cost
of materials and labor:
95 yards excavation, at 20c. per yard. $19.00
1,062 ft. stone-foundation, at 15c. per ft. 159.30
24 ft. stone steps and coping, at 28c. per ft. 6.72
2,000 bricks in chimneys, laid, at $12 per M. 24.00
517 yards plastering, inside at 25c. per yard. 129.25
130 ” ” outside, at 30c. per yard. 39.00
1,850 ft. of timber, at $15 per M. 27.75
2 sills, 3 × 8 in. 34 ft. long.
2 sills, 3 × 8 in. 25 ft. long.
1 girder, 4 × 8 in. 32 ft. long.
4 posts, 4 × 8 in. 11 ft. long.
3 ties, 3 × 6 in. 34 ft. long.
2 plates, 4 × 6 in. 15 ft. long.
2 perlines, 3 × 8 in. 25 ft. long.
2 perlines, 4 × 6 in. 18 ft. long.
100 beams, 1¼ × 8 in. 13 ft. long.
300 wall-strips, at 11c. each. 33.00
4 locust-posts, at 30c. each, $1.20; 190 flooring, at 20c.
each, $38. 39.20
216 shingling-lath, at 6c. each. 12.96
39 bunches shingles, at $1.25 per bunch. 48.75
3 cellar windows, at $3, $9; 12 plain windows, at $7, $84. 93.00
17 doors, at $4 each, $68; 2 verandas, $50 each, $100. 168.00
Stairs, $20; cornice materials, $18. 38.00
Closet finish and base, $15; nails, $12; cartage, $20. 47.00
Painting, $40; carpenter’s labor, $100; incidentals, $25.07. 165.07
--------
Total cost, complete. 1,050.00
Omitting cellar and verandas would save 300.00
-------
Total, after deductions. $750.00
[Illustration: Fig. 26.—ELEVATION OF FRONT OF HOUSE.]
[Illustration: Fig. 27.—PLAN OF CELLAR.]
[Illustration: Fig. 28.—PLAN OF FIRST FLOOR.]
[Illustration: Fig. 29.—PLAN OF SECOND FLOOR.]
DESIGN VIII.
A COTTAGE, COSTING $800 TO $1,050.
This design is an enlargement of the small cottage described in Design
I. The arrangements are very complete in convenience, appearance, and
economy.... EXTERIOR, (fig. 30).—The outlines and style are simple.
The front is enlivened by the Porch, Bay-Window, and other projections.
The details of finish are of neat design, and in harmony, giving an
agreeable expression of taste and refinement—features especially pleasing
in cottage architecture.... CELLAR, (fig. 31).—Hight in clear, 6½ feet.
It is under the main building only; has two windows, and stairs leading
to the first story. It contains 378 feet area, giving abundant room for
all ordinary requirements.... FIRST STORY, (fig. 32).—Hight of ceiling,
9 feet. The best use is made of the space by having but few divisions,
leaving good-sized rooms. The Hall is small, but is conveniently arranged
to answer all necessary purposes. It is entered from the front porch, and
communicates directly with the parlor and dining-room, and by the main
stairs with the second story. There is sufficient room for a hat-rack
at the right of the front door. The Parlor is of fair size, the large
bay-window adding materially to its area and cheerfulness. With very
little expense in furniture, this apartment may be made pleasant and
cosey. The Dining-room extends the whole width of the house, and has a
window at each end. It is conveniently arranged, with doors opening from
the hall, parlor, kitchen, pantry, and to the stairs. The Kitchen is
commodious and pleasant; has three windows, an outside rear entrance, and
adjoins the dining-room, pantry, and bedroom. The Pantry is sufficiently
large and convenient to answer the requirements of both dining-room and
kitchen. It has a small window, and is thoroughly shelved. The Bedroom
opens directly from the kitchen. Its purpose in the partial erection
(as shown in Design I.) may be changed in the completed building here
described by making it an auxiliary of the kitchen for the coarser
work; or, if needed, it may still be used as a bedroom for help....
SECOND STORY, (fig. 33).—Hight of ceiling, 8 feet. There is a hall, two
chambers, two bedrooms, and two closets, in this story, and no waste
room. The Hall is just large enough for convenience. The Chambers are
of ample dimensions, with a chimney between them, admitting the use of
stoves when required.... CONSTRUCTION.—The Foundations for the main
house are of broken stone and mortar, showing three feet above ground,
neatly pointed where exposed to sight. The Wing is supported on piers,
as described in Design I. Girders (shown on the cellar-plan by dotted
lines), supported on strong posts, carry the central portions of the
building. The shortness of the spans between bearings allow very light
floor-beams. It is, however, important that the beams should be _bridged_
to secure uniformity of strength, and prevent vibrations. The Frame is
constructed in the usual manner—all the ties, girts, and headers being
“framed in.” The inclosing is sufficiently indicated in the estimate. The
front windows have semi-circular heads outside. In their construction
the frames and sash are square, to admit ordinary curtain fixtures on
the inside. The circular head is outside of, and “planted” on the flat
casing, or “blind-strip,” and is made perfectly tight by a flange of
tin. The additional expense of such circular finish is but trifling,
compared with its good appearance. The side and rear windows have square
heads, with rabbeted drips. Blinds are intended for all windows above
the cellar. Ventilators are placed in each gable. The Porch has boxed
pedestals and columns, scroll-sawed balusters, and circular spandrels.
The inside walls and ceilings are “sand-finished” on two coats of
brown mortar. The main stairs are constructed with a quarter circle,
and winders at the top. These winders extend beyond the hall into the
ceilings of the dining-room (as sketched), but do not interfere with its
use, or seriously injure its appearance. The Bay-Window is neatly arched
on the inside. Marble mantels are put in the parlor and dining-room, and
shelves in the chambers. The second story-hall is lighted through the
door (sash) of the front bedroom.... SUGGESTIONS.—This plan was arranged
to suit a village lot 25 feet in width, leaving a passage-way at the
side. This necessitated placing the wing at the rear of the main house.
If there is more ground, the wing may be placed at the right of the main
part, facing the road. The communications between the dining-room and
wing would be still similar to those shown. The window at the right of
the dining-room would be placed in the rear. These changes entail no
extra expense, if determined on before commencing to build.—ESTIMATE
cost of materials and labor for main house:
56 yards excavation, at 20c. per yard. $11.20
875 ft. stone-foundation, at 5c. per ft. 43.75
2,000 brick, furnished and laid, at $12 per M. 24.00
340 yards plastering, complete, at 25c. per yard. 85.00
1,126 ft. of timber, at $15 per M. 16.89
2 sills, 4 × 6 in. 24 ft. long.
2 sills, 4 × 6 in. 21 ft. long.
9 ties, 4 × 6 in. 24 ft. long.
4 ties, 4 × 6 in. 21 ft. long.
4 posts, 4 × 6 in. 19 ft. long.
2 plates, 4 × 6 in. 24 ft. long.
1 girder, 4 × 6 in. 21 ft. long.
22 beams, 3 × 6 in. 24 ft. long.
250 wall-strips, at 11c. each. 27.50
162 siding, 9 in., at 20c. each. 32.40
Cornice materials. 18.00
135 shingling-lath, at 5c. each. 6.75
8 rough planks, at 20c. each. 1.60
24 bunches shingles, at $1.25 per bunch. 30.00
112 flooring, 9 in., at 25c. 28.00
2 cellar windows, complete, at $4. 8.00
1 bay-window, complete. 40.00
5 plain windows, complete, at $12. 60.00
Stairs, complete, $40; 12 doors, complete, $96. 136.00
Mantels, $39.91; porch, $30; closets, $10. 79.91
Nails, $9; painting, $50; carting, $12. 71.00
Carpenter’s labor (not included above). 80.00
-------
Total cost of main house. $800.00
Add Design I.’s estimate for wing. 250.00
--------
Total for whole complete. 1,050.00
[Illustration: Fig. 30.—FRONT ELEVATION.]
[Illustration: Fig. 31.—PLAN OF CELLAR.]
[Illustration: Fig. 32.—PLAN OF FIRST FLOOR.]
[Illustration: Fig. 33.—PLAN OF SECOND FLOOR.]
DESIGN IX.
COUNTRY OR VILLAGE COTTAGE, COSTING $1,000.
This plan is designed to answer many requests for a “cosey and homelike
Cottage, suited to the wants of Mechanics and Laboring People, costing
from $700 to $1,000.” It is best adapted to a westward frontage—with the
hall, entrances, and porches protected from the north, but may be easily
adapted to an opposite frontage by reversing the plan—placing the hall,
etc., on the opposite side of the main house. The width, 21 feet, adapts
it to a 25-foot village lot, leaving a side passage to the rear....
EXTERIOR, (figs. 34 and 35.)—The _style_ of any building is determined by
the form of its roof; the steep and hooded style in this design accords
fully with domestic feelings and artistic sentiments, and is growing in
public favor for suburban structures. Compared with the usual _Mansard_
style is more practical, less expensive, and serves equally well. The
side-angles, porches, bay-window, cornices, and chimneys, each of simple
construction, make up a pleasing variety of parts. All superfluous
ornamentation is avoided. A too common fault prevails in villages, and
even in the country, of building close up to the street lines. A clear
depth of at least 20 feet in front should be devoted to a flower-garden,
shrubbery, and vines, for flowers are proper accessories of cottage
adornment, and architectural ornamentation can never compensate for
their absence.... CELLAR, (fig. 36.)—Hight of ceiling, 6½ feet. It
extends under the front half of the building, giving an average area of
11½ × 15 feet—quite sufficient for ordinary requirements. It has two
small front windows. A good ventilation may be had through the chimney;
openings in the rear foundation allow a circulation of air over the
unexcavated portion.... FIRST STORY, (fig. 37.)—Hight of ceiling, 9 feet;
is divided into a hall, parlor, living-room, rear entry, and a closet.
The Hall, entered from the front porch, connects through doors with the
parlor, living-room, and rear entry, and contains the main stairs. The
Parlor has a large bay-window in the front, opposite to which is a marble
shelf resting on stucco trusses. It communicates with the living-room
and hall. The remaining wall spaces are unbroken, for furniture and wall
ornaments. The Living-room is a little larger than the parlor, has two
windows, an open fireplace, a closet, and doors leading to the front
hall, parlor, and rear entry. The rear entry is under the platform of the
main stairs; is divided from the front hall, and is to be used as the
common entrance. It has doors leading from the front hall, living-room,
rear porch, and the cellar stairs. The parlor may be warmed by placing
a radiator under the marble shelf, and passing the smoke-pipe from the
living-room through it, as for Design III. The cost of such a radiator
is $6.... SECOND STORY, (fig. 38.)—Hight of center ceilings, seven feet;
hight of side-breast walls, 3½ feet. The stairs leading to this story
are made with a platform, placed three risers below the upper landing,
which allows for the required head-room. The divisions provide for four
rooms, a hall, and two closets; the large chamber has a double window
in front, a marble shelf on the chimney-breast, and a closet; the hall
bedroom is designed to be used in connection with the large chamber as
a child’s room.... CONSTRUCTION.—The excavation for the cellar is made
four feet deep, and for the rear foundation walls one foot. The loose
earth is graded around the foundation at completion, leaving 1½ feet of
the foundation exposed to sight on the outside. The foundation walls
are of broken stone, laid in common mortar, 16 inches thick, and neatly
pointed where exposed to sight, and are generally even with the framework
on the outside. Provision is made for the cellar stairway by extending
the adjoining walls beyond the inside of the frame to the hight of the
ground, and finishing above with brick-work. The chimney is started with
the cellar walls, and arranged with two continuous flues to the top.
Side-openings are made under the cap by inserting 6-inch earthen thimbles
on each side of the flues. The top courses of brick-work are laid across
the entire chimney, making a solid and more lasting cap. Sheet-iron
thimbles are put in the chimneys adjoining the parlor and front chamber.
The framing, inclosing, flooring, etc., are done in a substantial manner,
of materials indicated in the estimate below. Beams placed two feet apart
from centers; rafters and studding 16 inches apart. The cornice-trusses
are made of 2 × 4-inch timber, as shown in Design VI., and the shingling
and gutters in Design V. Sash, 1¼ inch thick, glazed with second quality
of French sheet-glass, counter-checked, and hung to iron balance-weights,
with good cord. Doors 4-paneled each, for the outside and rooms in first
story, and 1½ inches thick; all others 1¼ inches thick, moulded, with
double faces. The main stairs has a 7-inch octagon newel, a 2¼ × 4-inch
moulded rail, and 2-inch turned balusters, all of black walnut. The
side-walls and ceilings of the two full stories are white-sand finished,
on one coat of “laid-off” brown mortar. This is the favorite mode of
plastering through the Eastern States, while in the neighborhood of
New York two coats of brown mortar are usually applied. Where one-coat
work is properly done, more hair is mixed in the mortar, increasing its
strength. The _same quantity_ of mortar is used as for two coats. The
advantages claimed for the “one-coat work” are, a saving of one-third
in labor, and obviating the delay for the additional coat to dry. All
the wood-work usually painted, and the chimney-top, have two coats of
best American lead and _raw_ linseed-oil. For more extended remarks on
painting, see article with Design XII.
ESTIMATE of materials required, and total cost.
58 yards excavation, at 20c. per yard. $11.60
26 perches stone-work, complete, at $2.50. 65.00
2,000 bricks, furnished and laid, complete, at $12 per M. 24.00
360 yards plastering, complete, at 25c. 90.00
1,694 ft. timber, at $15 per M. 25.41
1 sill, 4 × 7 in. 26 ft. long.
3 sills, 4 × 7 in. 15 ft. long.
1 sill, 4 × 7 in. 23 ft. long.
8 posts, 4 × 7 in. 13 ft. long.
1 girt, 4 × 6 in. 15 ft. long.
3 ties, 4 × 6 in. 15 ft. long.
1 plate, 4 × 6 in. 26 ft. long.
1 plate, 4 × 6 in. 23 ft. long.
14 beams, 3 × 7 in. 21 ft. long.
13 beams, 3 × 7 in. 15 ft. long.
20 ceiling-strips, 1¼ × 5 in. 13 ft. long.
50 joists, 3 × 4 in. 13 ft. long, at 16c. each. 8.00
200 wall-strips, 2 × 4 in. 13 ft. long, at 13c. each. 26.00
130 siding-boards, at 23c. each. 29.90
160 shingling-lath, at 6c. each. 9.60
40 bunches shingles at $1.25. 50.00
12 spruce plank, at 20c. 2.40
Materials in cornices, $14; stoops, complete, $20. 34.00
95 flooring, at 18c. each. 17.10
2 cellar windows, complete, at $3 each. 6.00
2 single windows, complete, at $12 each. 24.00
3 double windows, complete, at $15 each. 45.00
15 doors, complete, at $9 each. 135.00
Closet, shelving, and nails. 20.00
Stairs, $50; bay-window, complete, $50. 100.00
Tin (gutters, valleys, and leaders). 11.00
2 marble shelves, $10; painting, $80; carting, $15. 105.00
Carpenter’s labor, not included above. 100.00
Incidentals, sink, pump, etc. 60.99
---------
Total cost. $1,000.00
[Illustration: Fig. 34.—FRONT VIEW OF COTTAGE.]
[Illustration: Fig. 35.—SIDE VIEW OF COTTAGE.]
[Illustration: Fig. 36.—PLAN OF CELLAR.]
[Illustration: Fig. 37.—PLAN OF FIRST FLOOR.]
[Illustration: Fig. 38.—PLAN OF SECOND FLOOR.]
DESIGN X.
A HOUSE COSTING $1,100.