Practical hints to builders and those contemplating building / Facts worth considering relating to foundation, cellar, kitchen, chimney, cistern, brick-work, mortar, heating, ventilation, the roof, and many items of interest to builders.

by National Sheet Metal Roofing Co.

DEADENING AND FIRE-PROOFING FLOORS.

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.