materials and labor required in the construction of this house, together
with their present cost in the vicinity of New York:
57 yards excavation, at 20c. per yard. $11.40
13,000 brick, furnished and laid, at $12 per M. 156.00
500 yards lath and plastering, at 30c. per yard. 150.00
28 ft. stone steps and coping, at 40c. per ft. 11.20
16 ft. stone sills, at 30c. per ft. 4.80
2,370 ft. of timber, at $15 per M. 35.55
2 sills, 4 × 7 in. 30 ft. long.
2 sills, 4 × 7 in. 22 ft. long.
1 girt, 4 × 8 in. 16 ft. long.
1 girt, 4 × 8 in. 8 ft. long.
26 beams, 3 × 7 in. 22 ft. long.
6 beams, 3 × 7 in. 15 ft. long.
6 posts, 4 × 7 in. 20 ft. long.
2 ties, 4 × 6 in. 30 ft. long.
2 ties, 4 × 6 in. 22 ft. long.
2 plates, 4 × 6 in. 30 ft. long.
2 plates, 4 × 6 in. 22 ft. long.
8 pieces, 3 × 7 in. 16 ft. long.
400 wall strips, 2 × 4 in. 13 ft. long, at 11c. each. 44.00
200 novelty siding boards, 9½ in., at 30c. each. 60.00
160 lbs. tarred paper, at 5c. per lb. 8.00
128 tongued and grooved flooring, 9½ in., at 35c. each. 44.80
110 hemlock boards, at 18c. each. 19.80
9½ squares of tin roofing, at $7 per square. 66.50
120 ft. cornice, at 30c. per ft. 36.00
111 ft. gutter and leader, at 10c. per ft. 11.10
1 bay-window, with blinds, complete. 60.00
Materials in stoop, lobby, balcony, hood, and
corner-boards. 78.00
8 windows, with blinds, complete, at $16 each. 128.00
4 cellar windows, complete, at $4 each. 16.00
24 doors, complete, at $8 each. 192.00
2 stairs, complete. 60.00
2 marble mantels and 4 pine mantels. 75.00
Base-boards and shelving. 25.00
Nails, sink, and pump. 34.00
Cartage, average one mile. 30.00
Carpenter’s labor (not included above). 200.00
Painting, two coats. 80.00
Extra for girder supports, grading, etc. 62.85
---------
Total cost of materials and construction. $1,700.00
[Illustration: Fig. 50.—ELEVATION OF FRONT.]
[Illustration: Fig. 51.—PLAN OF CELLAR.]
[Illustration: Fig. 52.—PLAN OF FIRST FLOOR.]
[Illustration: Fig. 53.—PLAN OF SECOND FLOOR.]
DESIGN XIII.
FRENCH-ROOFED COTTAGE, COSTING $2,000.
These plans were designed for a genteel cottage adapted to
thickly-settled localities, where the increased value of lands make
it necessary to reduce the area, and build upwards. Several houses
constructed from these plans in this vicinity are admired for their
convenient accommodation and cheerfulness.... EXTERIOR, (fig. 54.)—The
Foundation extends four feet above ground, giving a desirable altitude
to the whole building. The front is enlivened by the numerous window
and door openings, the several projections of piazza, dormers, and
cornices, and the variety of the materials used. The dressing of the
several parts are of simple designs. The projections of cornices, etc.,
should always be self-sustaining, yet while this is true, there is sure
to be a fancied necessity for some apparent support obvious from the
outside. Such supports require special treatment, with a view to their
proper form and proportion, and should be sparingly applied, giving to
each one its distinct place and purpose. Brackets of neat pattern are
often crowded so closely together as to cheapen and destroy their beauty,
and overload the cornice, thus reversing their legitimate purpose as
supports.... CELLAR, (fig. 55.)—Hight of ceiling 7 feet; it extends under
the main house only. Its hight above the ground gives an opportunity for
good-sized window openings. If desired at any time, an airy and light
work-room or laundry can be made by dividing and flooring a part of this
story at little cost.... FIRST STORY, (fig. 56).—Hight of ceiling 10
feet. It has a hall running through the whole length of the main house,
with entrances from both front and rear. The parlor, dining-room, and
kitchen, are all good-sized apartments, and pleasantly arranged. Double
folding doors are provided for the front entrances and from the hall
to the parlor, and sliding doors between the parlor and dining-room. A
bay-window adds materially to the size and pleasantness of the dining or
living-room. Each room has an open fire-place; the kitchen has a pump and
sink, with the usual supply and waste pipe connections. The rear stoop
is roofed, and has a portable enclosure of light ceiling boards, to be
used in severe weather.... SECOND STORY, (fig. 57.)—Hight of ceiling 8½
feet. The divisions of this story are simple—giving a hall, two large
chambers, with passage between, two hall rooms, and two closets....
CONSTRUCTION.—The estimate given provides for foundation of broken stone,
laid and neatly pointed with good mortar; the stone exposed to sight on
the outside to be “semi-dressed.” Blue-stone, or other suitable stone
obtained most readily, are used for the sills of cellar windows, for the
steps, and wall coping of the cellar entrance. The principal timber is
of seasoned spruce or pine, thoroughly framed, raised, and secured. The
“framing-in” of braces is too frequently omitted—cutting them “barefoot,”
and spiking, being substituted. The latter does very well where the frame
is strongly sheathed over, and the outer siding applied afterwards. The
sheathing aids largely in stiffening the frame, but should not be relied
on to the exclusion of the necessary braces to square up the frame, and
prevent the swaying which often happens unobserved, to be discovered
when too late to remedy it. Laxity in the matter of bracing has led to
frequent errors as to their proper place in the frame. When framed in
they are invariably placed in the _upper angles_ under the ties and
plates, adjoining the posts, and when barefoot they should be put in
the same angles; never, as is frequently done for convenience, in the
lower angles, nor on the sills. A moment’s reflection will convince any
one that _if the right angles along the principal frame are rigidly
maintained, displacements will never occur_, except, as rarely happens,
the whole is bodily raised from the foundation by a hurricane. The most
_reliable_ angles are those formed by the tie and post connections,
because at these points the posts are tenoned and mortised together,
and secured with hard wood pins. Those least reliable are at the foot
of the posts, adjoining the sills, where their connections are secured
only by the weight of the upper frame. Braces placed in the latter angles
serve only as fulcrums to endanger the frames when tested by ordinary
winds; but if the former or _upper_ angles are made positive, by having
substantial braces in them, the severest gales may be defied. The siding
is of narrow, clear pine clapboards, laid on “thicknessed” sheathing.
The Mansard part of the main roof is covered by 8 × 16-inch slate—the
piazza, bay-window, kitchen, stoop, cornices, window, and deck roof with
IC. charcoal tin—all laid on hemlock boards. Tarred felting is spread
under all siding and slate. The first and second stories are fully
completed inside; the attic is floored, but otherwise unfinished, but may
be divided at any time into rooms as shown for the second story (fig.
57). The interior plastering is three-coat work, on seasoned lath. All
sash are four lights, and hung to balance-weights. Blinds are properly
hung (outside) to each window. All wood, tin, and brick-work, usually
painted, has two coats of best lead and oil-paint, with stainers to suit
the owner’s taste. The choice of colors for the exterior is frequently
canvassed during the construction of these buildings; often some person
of _taste_ (?) decides by “warming”—adding red and yellow, until, by the
preponderance of these stainers, the most sombre and dismal colors are
produced. The most appropriate and pleasing shade for the body of this
class of house is a _light gray_; for the trimmings, _dark gray_; for
the sash, _burnt sienna_; for the blinds, _chocolate_. The tin roofing
should match the _slate_ in color. Red colors should be sparingly used,
or omitted altogether.
ESTIMATE of materials required, and total cost:
50 yards excavation, at 25c. per yard. $12.50
975 ft. of stone foundation, at 8c. per ft. 78.00
45 ft. blue-stone sills, steps, and coping, at 30c. per ft. 13.50
4,000 bricks, furnished and laid, at $12 per M. 48.00
480 yards plastering, at 30c. per yard. 144.00
Cornices and centers, stucco. 30.00
4,000 ft. of timber, at $15 per M. 60.00
2 sills, 4 × 8 in. 29 ft. long.
2 sills, 4 × 8 in. 21 ft. long.
1 sill, 4 × 8 in. 16 ft. long.
2 sills, 4 × 8 in. 13 ft. long.
1 girt, 4 × 8 in. 29 ft. long.
6 posts, 4 × 7 in. 22 ft. long.
6 ties, 4 × 6 in. 29 ft. long.
6 ties, 4 × 6 in. 21 ft. long.
2 plates, 4 × 6 in. 13 ft. long.
1 plate, 4 × 6 in. 16 ft. long.
2 posts, 4 × 6 in. 13 ft. long.
30 beams, 3 × 8 in. 21 ft. long.
15 beams, 3 × 7 in. 21 ft. long.
7 beams, 3 × 8 in. 16 ft. long.
2 decks, 3 × 8 in. 18 ft. long.
2 decks, 3 × 8 in. 26 ft. long.
1 cross-tie, 3 × 8 in. 18 ft. long.
4 hips, 3 × 7 in. 14 ft. long.
2 piazzas, 3 × 7 in. 19 ft. long.
2 piazzas, 3 × 7 in. 18 ft. long.
325 wall-strips, at 12c. each, $39; 75 joists, at 16c. each,
$12. 51.00
210 hemlock boards, at 12c. each, $25.20; cornice materials,
$60. 85.20
215 sheathing, at 16c. each, $34.40; 560 pine siding, at 12c.
each, $67.20. 101.60
8 squares slate, at $8.50 per square. 68.00
13 squares tin, at $7.50 per square. 97.50
65 ft. leaders, at 10c. per ft., $6.50; 260 flooring, at
18c. each, $46.80. 53.30
Piazza and stoop, complete, $80 and $28. 108.00
4 cellar windows, complete, at $4 each. 16.00
5 plain windows, complete, at $12 each. 60.00
6 plain windows, complete, at $10 each, $60; 1 bay
window, $60. 120.00
5 dormer windows, complete, at $16 each. 80.00
13 doors, complete, at $10 each. 130.00
1 area door, $5; stairs, $90; closets, pump, and sink, $50. 145.00
Mantle, $52; tarred felting, $10. 62.00
Carpenter’s labor, not included above. 135.00
Carting, average 1 mile, $30; painting, $130;
incidentals, $141.40. 301.40
---------
Total cost, complete. $2,000.00
[Illustration: Fig. 54.—ELEVATION OF FRONT OF HOUSE.]
[Illustration: Fig. 55.—PLAN OF CELLAR.]
[Illustration: Fig. 56.—PLAN OF FIRST FLOOR.]
[Illustration: Fig. 57.—PLAN OF SECOND FLOOR.]
DESIGN XIV.
A FRENCH-ROOFED COTTAGE COSTING $2,000.
These plans were designed for a cottage recently built by Mr. W. W.
Billings, in New London, Conn. These sketches embrace also the outlines
of the grounds immediately surrounding. The site faces a street having
steep grades, conforming to the general declivity upon which a large
part of the city is built. The grounds are raised above the sidewalk,
and leveled in front, and are faced with stone-work from 2½ feet high
at left, to 6 feet high at the right. The rear grounds are 6 feet
higher than those in front. The step _A_, at the entrance (see fig.
59), is 8 inches above the sidewalk. _B_ is the bottom of the cellar,
2 feet 2 inches higher than _A_, and is solid rock. The walk leading
from _A_ to the rear ascends 1¼ inch to the foot; the banks at either
side are terraced, and have stone steps inserted in them leading to
the flagging at the foot of the porch steps, and also to the area, or
cellar entrance.... ELEVATION, (fig. 58.)—The French roof style is well
adapted to this situation on account of its rounded and solid appearance.
The irregularities of outline secure agreeable features of variety and
picturesqueness. The Foundation shows 4 feet above ground in front,
and 1 foot in the rear. The Porch is in an angle, and the second story
extending over it is carried up vertically past the slated part of the
main roof, forming a tower-like corner. This corner is largely supported
by a single column, and to make it as light as possible, slating of this
portion is omitted.—(_As usually laid, slate weighs 500 lbs.; tin, 50
lbs. per square._).... CELLAR, (fig. 59.)—Hight is 6½ feet. Four windows
are placed where they give light to every part. An outside door opens
to the area, the latter being covered by the front porch. The front
portion of this cellar can easily be finished off for a work-room or
summer kitchen.... FIRST STORY, (fig. 60.)—Hight of ceiling 10 feet. The
arrangements are convenient, comprising a hall, parlor, dining-room,
and kitchen. The main entrance leads from the right of the porch, and
the hall runs parallel with the front. Many persons prefer the entrance
arranged in this way, as the contents of the hall are not exposed to
the street whenever the doors are opened or left ajar. A partition
crosses the hall under the platform, adjoining the cylinder, forming
a rear passage leading from the kitchen to the cellar stairs. The
Parlor has a large bay-window in front, with a marble mantle directly
opposite. The Dining-Room and Kitchen each have windows giving views
in three directions. The small wing at the rear contains a good-sized
pantry, closet, and the rear entrance or lobby.... SECOND STORY, (fig.
61.)—Hight of ceiling 9 feet. The divisions include a hall, three large
chambers, a bedroom, and three closets. All parts are well lighted.
Ventilating Registers are placed in the center of each chamber ceiling.
The space above this ceiling under the tin roof is ventilated through
8-inch pipes inserted in opposite sides of the roof. These pipes have
funnel-shaped covers, elevated two inches above the upper end of the
pipes.... CONSTRUCTION.—The Foundation Walls are of semi-dressed stone.
The Chimneys are of hard brick, the cellar portions are constructed with
a hollow space or ash-pit, arranged to receive the ashes from the fires
of the first story. The siding is beveled clap-boards, laid on sheathing
felt. The mansard parts of the main roof are covered with 8 × 16-inch
Keystone slate laid on felt. All other roofs are of IC. charcoal tin, all
laid on seasoned boards. The two full stories are hard finished upon two
coats of brown mortar. All parts usually painted have two coats of paint,
of material and shades to suit the owner. For suggestions on selecting
colors or shades see Design XIII.—ESTIMATE cost of materials and labor:
46 yards excavation, at 20c. per yard. $9.20
1,300 ft. stone foundation, at 15c. per ft. 195.00
40 ft. blue-stone, at 25c. per ft. 10.00
5,000 bricks in chimney, at $12 per M. 60.00
700 yards plastering, at 30c. per yard. 210.00
3,650 ft. timber, at $15 per M. 54.75
100 joists, at 14c., $14; 400 wall-strips, at 11c., $44. 58.00
1,660 ft. siding, at 2¾c. per ft. 45.65
Cornice materials, $70; felt, $10. 80.00
220 rough boards, at 15c. each. 33.00
9 squares slate, at $9 per square. 81.00
13 squares tin, at $7.50. 97.50
194 spruce flooring, at 20c. each. 38.80
14 pine flooring, at 25c. each. 3.50
4 cellar windows, complete, at $3 each. 12.00
8 plain windows, complete, at $12 each. 96.00
1 bay window, complete. 50.00
7 dormer windows, at $14. 98.00
Porch, finished, $22; mantles, $50. 72.00
Stairs, $65; nails, sink, and ventilator, $32. 97.00
Closet, finished, $13; painting, $150. 163.00
18 doors, complete, at $9 each. 162.00
Carting, $25; labor, not included above, $225. 250.00
Incidentals. 23.60
---------
Total cost, complete. $2,000.00
[Illustration: Fig. 58.—ELEVATION OF FRONT OF HOUSE.]
[Illustration: Fig. 59.—PLAN OF CELLAR AND GROUNDS.]
[Illustration: Fig. 60.—PLAN OF FIRST FLOOR.]
[Illustration: Fig. 61.—PLAN OF SECOND FLOOR.]
DESIGN XV.
A SOUTHERN HOUSE COSTING $2,000.
These plans, designed for a Georgia residence, will be adapted to the
requirements of others desiring to build an inexpensive rural home in
any of the Southern States.... EXTERIOR, (fig. 62.)—The plan indicates
that the proprietor is not circumscribed by want of land, and prefers to
extend the area of the ground floor, rather than to build upward. The
breadth of the front (48 feet), the large entrance and window openings,
the spacious verandas, and broad steps, are each prominent and desirable
features, indicative of comforts and hospitality. The elevated, or
second story part of the Main House, forms a substantial and fitting
center, around which the roofs of the wings and verandas incline, and
adds largely in giving poise and character to the whole building. The
hight from the earth grades to the frame-work of the building is 2 feet.
Its location should have a good surface drainage assured during rainy
seasons, and afford pleasant outlooks from the verandas.... INTERIOR.—In
most parts of the South, very much of the year could be a latitude
comfortably spent out of doors altogether, but for the requirements of
shade and retirement. There are times, however, when severe weather makes
it necessary that one’s family should be well housed, and when a good
fire is both a luxury and necessity. A house for such should have large
rooms, with high ceilings, an abundance of door and window openings, and
a plentiful spread of shady verandas. Where practicable, the windows
should have folding sashes opening to the floor, if protected by outside
coverings. There should be at least one chimney in the main or highest
part of the house, having a large open fire-place adapted to the use
of wood for fuel, and having openings near the room ceilings into the
flues, for ventilation. The Dining-room, Kitchen, and the more domestic
offices, require a separate and distinct building, situated a short
distance in the rear of the house, and connected with it by a covered
passage-way.... FIRST STORY, (fig. 63.)—Hight of ceiling 10 feet. The
simple arrangement shown provides for each of the above requirements. The
front Entrance is through large double doors. The Hall extends through
the house. The Living-room, a large apartment adapted to a good-sized
family, is centrally situated, and protected on every side from the
direct rays of the sun; it adjoins the pleasant and shady verandas front
and rear, both being accessible through the folding windows, that open
like doors down to the floor. It communicates with the hall through
wide double doors, has a large closet and an open fire. The Bedroom is
of good dimensions, has three windows opening to the verandas, and one
side window. The two closets are so arranged as to form an alcove to
the rear window. The ceiling of this alcove is arched over, producing a
very pleasant effect. An opening is made near the ceiling into one of
the flues of the adjoining chimney for ceiling ventilation. The Parlor
(or Library) is situated in the most quiet part of the building, where
company may be entertained, or persons may engage in reading or study,
without disturbance from those engaged in housework. Large windows open
to the front veranda, and other windows are provided at the side and
rear. A covered Passage-way leads from the rear hall door to the food
departments. These consist of a Dining-room, Kitchen, Store-room, and
two Closets, and to the rear of these is added a servant’s Bedroom. The
dining-room and kitchen are each of ample size, with windows arranged
on opposite sides to admit a plentiful supply of fresh air. A pump,
sink, and two wash-tubs are provided in the kitchen. The store-room and
closets are thoroughly shelved. If desirable, a china closet may be
easily constructed at one side of the fire-place, into which one of the
doors already provided would open.... SECOND STORY, (fig. 64.)—Hight of
ceiling 9 feet. This may be divided into two or more rooms, as required,
for bedrooms. The cross-partitions may be 8 feet high, admitting a free
passage of air above them.... CONSTRUCTION.—Brick piers, placed 6 feet
apart under all sills, are intended for the foundation. The remaining
space is left unobstructed for the circulation of air. A cellar may be
excavated, and walled up under the main house, with stairs leading to it
from the rear veranda, under the main flight. In the estimate, provision
is made for a regular frame of sawed timber, which should be framed and
raised in a substantial manner. The siding for the main house and wings
is of 6-inch pine clap-boards, laid 5 inches to the weather. The roofs of
the main house and wings are laid with hemlock boards; all other roofs
and cornice projections are laid with inverted 1 × 4½-inch tongued and
grooved pine flooring, and lastly covered with IC. charcoal tin, locked
and soldered in the best manner. The cornices are constructed with wide
projections, and have neat truss supports. The verandas are made with
simple parts. The columns for the front are 7-inch boxed, with bases, and
scrolled spandrels; for the rear of 3 × 4 joist with bases, and plain
spandrels. The veranda plates and rafters are dressed for painting, and
are left exposed to sight. The pediments shown on the front are of open
work, to allow the warmed air from near the roofs to escape. The upper
frame-work (plates and rafters) of the rear building are also planed,
and left exposed to sight from the inside. The inclosing and partitions
for this part are of 1 × 4½-inch pine tongued and grooved flooring,
dressed on both sides, put on in a vertical manner, and nailed to the
sills and plates; 1¼-inch pine battens are put around the inside of the
rooms at the proper hight for a chair-rail (2¾ feet to the upper edge),
and joined to the casings of the doors and windows of like materials,
and all thoroughly nailed with “clinch” nails to the upright boarding.
The roof is built as described for the verandas, is double pitch, and
has sufficient spread to include the shed, making it a part of the same
building. The kitchen chimney is built nearly in the center of this
building, has a large open fire-place, and has a good hight above the
roof. All floors are of 1 × 4½-inch tongued and grooved pine flooring,
close laid and blind nailed. All rooms in the main building and wings are
hard-finished upon two coats of brown mortar. All work usually painted
has two coats of good paint. The roof-gutters are made as shown in Design
V.... ESTIMATE:
8,000 bricks in piers and chimneys, furnished and laid, at
$12 per M. $96.00
550 yards plastering, at 28c. per yard. 154.00
5,054 ft. timber, at $15 per M. 75.81
Sills, 4 × 8 in. 261 ft. long.
Ties, 4 × 6 in. 261 ft. long.
Plates, 4 × 6 in. 92 ft. long.
4 hips, 3 × 8 in. 17 ft. long.
56 beams, 2 × 8 in. 14 ft. long.
32 beams, 2 × 8 in. 21 ft. long.
4 posts, 4 × 7 in. 22 ft. long.
1 piazza sill, 3 × 8 in. 230 ft. long.
1 piazza plate, 3 × 8 in. 206 ft. long.
Piazza beams, 2 × 6 in. 384 ft. long.
50 joist, 3 × 4 in. 13ft. long, at 16c. each. 8.00
300 wall-strips, 2 × 4 in. 13 ft. long, at 11c. 33.00
370 siding (6-inch clap-boards), at 18c. each. 66.60
170 hemlock boards, at 16c. each. 27.20
240 ft. cornice, bracketed, at 20c. per ft. 48.00
208 ft. simple rear cornice, at 8c. per ft. 16.64
38 squares of tin, at $7 per square. 266.00
6,000 ft. of 1 × 4½ tongued and grooved flooring pine, at
3c. per ft. 180.00
24 piazza columns, complete, average at $1 each. 24.00
1 stairs, complete, $50; 31 windows, at $10, $310. 360.00
20 doors, at $8, $160; 1 mantle, $50. 210.00
Sinks, pumps, and wash-tubs. 22.00
Closet finish, $12; nails, $25. 37.00
Painting, $100; carting, $20. 120.00
Boards for outside casings and incidentals. 105.75
Carpenter’s labor. 150.00
---------
Total cost, complete. $2,000.00
[Illustration: Fig. 62.—FRONT VIEW OF HOUSE.]
[Illustration: Fig. 63.—FIRST STORY.]
[Illustration: Fig. 64.—SECOND STORY OF MAIN BUILDING.]
DESIGN XVI.
A HOUSE COSTING $2,100.