[Illustration: The “Attic” Sky-light and Ventilator. (See page 78.)]
As you value health, study well this important subject, which is oftener
neglected in constructing dwellings than any other detail. An experienced
and observant man can pick from those whom he meets on the street men or
women who habitually sleep in badly ventilated rooms. The florist will
study and practice the best means to ventilate his propagating house,
and ignore the necessity of the same principle for himself and family.
Everything that breathes—and what living thing does not?—needs a change
of air to remain in a healthy condition. Leaves are the lungs of plants,
and, deprived of this change, soon assume a delicate, sickly hue.
Why should the human family, in full possession of reasoning powers,
ignore the lesson that is every day before them? By ventilation we mean
a system that will constantly supply the dwelling with fresh air; at the
same time it draws the vitiated atmosphere from each hall and room in
the house. This can be done during the process of erection in a simple,
effectual and inexpensive manner. Even if it should cost more than you
feel inclined to pay, the result will justify the expense.
There is no better way of creating upward draught than the open
fire-place, or a flue built with an opening near the floor. Such flues
should not be less than 8 × 8 inches for an ordinary size bedroom, and
should, if possible, be built alongside of the chimney flue, and extend
through the house-top without openings, except the one nearest the floor
in the room it starts from.
As vitiated air is heavier than pure air, and is always nearest the
floor, the artificial draught caused by a long, upright flue is
constantly at work carrying the lower atmosphere from each room in which
these upward and outward draught flues are built. To supply the rooms
with fresh air, corresponding flues must be built similar in size and
construction to the above. Commence them with outside openings about
on a level with the first floor joists, extending upward, and end with
openings inward near the ceiling. Each of these openings outside and
inside the house should be covered with coarse wire cloth. That made
from tinned or galvanized No. 16 wire, with one-half in. meshes, is the
best. Care should be taken in building these flues to have them smoothly
plastered on the inside. An ornamental finish can be used at each end if
desired. By this arrangement a steady flow of fresh air, both night and
day, is secured without the ill effects of strong draughts.
Do not try to economize by using one flue for two or more rooms. Good
results are only secured by using a set of flues for each room or hall.
I have seen ventilating flues built to open through the cornice. That
is a bad plan, for even a slight wind will check the draught while
blowing against that side. If the flues are properly finished after
passing through the roof the wind will increase the draught. The above
suggestions answer equally as well for frame houses. It is easy to
construct wood flues between the weatherboarding and lath.