[Illustration]
This can be accomplished in a simple and inexpensive manner by nailing
strips 1 × 1½ inches along the side of each joist, the top edge of each
strip to be two inches below the top surface of the joist. On top of
these strips lay a floor of rough boards. Second-hand material answers
every purpose for the floor, as the boards need not be matched or of even
thickness.
On the top of this rough floor spread a covering of coarse mortar gauged
level with the top edge of the joist. When the mortar is dry lay the
floor in the usual manner. It takes a long time for fire to burn through
a floor laid in this manner, and sound is deadened completely by the
mass of non-conducting mortar and the double floors. For fire-proofing
and deadening partitions in an effective way, build a four-inch brick
wall between the studding. A nail driven every ten or twelve inches in
the side of the studding, on the line of the mortar joint, will hold the
wall firmly between the studding. Where brick is scarce or expensive,
sun dried brick made from stiff clay is a good substitute. They can be
made 12 × 12 inches, and thick enough to come within ⅜ of an inch of the
lathing. The mortar keys impinging against the wall make the plastering
firmer and consequently stronger.
The expense of fire-proofing and deadening in this manner is so small,
it is surprising it is not more generally adopted. If the flooring is
laid before the mortar used between the joists is dry, it will cause the
boards to swell and may bulge them; and when they finally become dry will
leave ugly looking cracks where they join. Remember, you cannot have a
well built house without giving Nature time to do her work.