PREFACE.
In the modernized and revised edition of “House-Plans for Everybody,” but little attempt has been made to change the text or floor plans, as these are standard features requiring no revision. In the matter of outward dress, however, nearly all the elevations have been redrawn, with special regard to modern ideas and tastes, and in this respect it is specially new and commendable. The author has been guided in this work by many years’ experience, in planning and superintending the erection of country buildings, and has selected, from an extensive aggregation of original designs in his possession, such examples as seemed best to serve for purposes of simplicity, comfort, and economy. All the matters here presented are purely practical—well calculated to assist such as are contemplating the erection of either a village or country house. The plans embrace almost every variety of arrangement and style—each one is accompanied with a detailed description of its conveniences and construction—and its cost is shown by careful estimates, made to correspond with a uniform standard of prices, at present rates. To builders, this work will be valuable as a handbook of reference, to aid them when applied to for suggestions, either in the projection of new dwellings, or in the alteration of old ones, saving much time, study and calculations. The estimates of cost have been found correct as to totals, in the neighborhood of New York, and in many other localities builders have offered to duplicate the structures for the figures given.
S. B. Reed.
CONTENTS.
| Page. | |
| DESIGN NO. I. A COTTAGE, COSTING $250. | |
| Accommodations for Beginners in House-Keeping, with Limited Means.—Arranged as the Wing of a future Main House.—First Steps. | [9] |
| DESIGN NO. II. COUNTRY COTTAGE, COSTING $450. | |
| Approximating the Cheapest Construction.—Roofs must not be slighted.—Their Relative Cost.—Suggestions as to Inside Linings. | [12] |
| DESIGN NO. III. COUNTRY COTTAGE, COSTING $550. | |
| Effect of Angles and Vertical Lines.—New form of Radiator, with Designs and Description.—A Durable Wash for rough work. | [17] |
| DESIGN NO. IV. COUNTRY COTTAGE, COSTING $550. | |
| Adapted to an Eastern Frontage.—Good accommodations for a small family.—May have a Vestibule in Piazza.—Exterior Plastering. | [22] |
| DESIGN NO. V. CONVENIENT HOUSE, COSTING $650. | |
| Little required to build a comfortable home.—Saving by use of regular sizes of Sash, Doors, etc.—Novelty Siding.—Gutters.—Desirability, and Cost of Hanging Sash. | [26] |
| DESIGN NO. VI. A HOUSE, COSTING $700. | |
| Providing for future Enlargement.—Framework below the First Floor.—Section of Frame, with Description.—Cornice. | [33] |
| DESIGN NO. VII. COUNTRY HOUSE, COSTING $750. | |
| Fair Expression of Purpose.—Best Results from Location.—Outside Plastering.—Stearate of Lime.—Formula for Making. | [39] |
| DESIGN NO. VIII. A COTTAGE, COSTING $800. | |
| Enlargement of Design No. 1.—Best use of the Space.—Short Spans, and Bridging of Beams.—Suggestions as to Location. | [44] |
| DESIGN NO. IX. COUNTRY OR VILLAGE COTTAGE, COSTING $1,000. | |
| Cosy and Homelike.—Style Determined by the Form of Roof.—Modes of Plastering.—Advantages of the One-coat work. | [49] |
| DESIGN NO. X. A HOUSE, COSTING $1,100. | |
| Adapted to a Twenty-five Foot Lot.—Trim Outline.—No Waste in Materials.—Pitch of Roofs.—Ventilator and Scuttle combined. | [54] |
| DESIGN NO. XI. A HOUSE, COSTING $1,600. | |
| Practical Experience Valuable in Planning.—Conventional Requirements.—A Fifth House.—Section of Outside Wall, and Description. | [62] |
| DESIGN NO. XII. A HOUSE, COSTING $1,700. | |
| Important Features in Exterior.—Care in Foundations.—Regular versus Balloon Framing.—Painting. | [69] |
| DESIGN NO. XIII. FRENCH ROOFED COTTAGE, COSTING $2,000. | |
| For thickly settled localities.—Enlivened Dressing.—Purpose of Ornament.—Bracing of Frame.—Taste in Painting. | [76] |
| DESIGN NO. XIV. FRENCH ROOFED COTTAGE, COSTING $2,000. | |
| Conforming to a Declivity.—Outlines of Grounds.—Tower-like Corner, Supported by a Column.—Weight of Slate, and Tin. | [82] |
| DESIGN NO. XV. SOUTHERN HOUSE, COSTING $2,000. | |
| Extended Area of Ground Floor.—Requirements for Shade.—Preparations for Severe Weather.—Food Department. | [86] |
| DESIGN NO. XVI. A HOUSE, COSTING $2,100. | |
| Pointed Style—in harmony with rural surroundings.—Earth Finish around Foundation.—Exhausting poisonous vapors from cellars. | [92] |
| DESIGN NO. XVII. A HOUSE, COSTING $2,200. | |
| The most Economical Form.—High Foundations.—Surrounding Grades.—Bridging Beams.—Stairs.—Why Contractors differ.—Who qualified to estimate. | [98] |
| DESIGN NO. XVIII. SOUTHERN HOUSE, COSTING $2,200. | |
| Style adapted to Middle and Southern States.—Tower.—Verandas.—Windows extending to the Floor.—Ventilation. | [105] |
| DESIGN NO. XIX. STONE HOUSE, COSTING $2,500. | |
| Balance in Outlines.—Site.—Cellar, how sweetened.—Plant Window, with Contents Reflected.—Drudgery of Housework. | [111] |
| DESIGN NO. XX. COUNTRY HOUSE, COSTING $2,600. | |
| Suited to a Southern Climate.—Double Front.—May face any point of Compass.—Detailed Estimate of Windows and Doors. | [115] |
| DESIGN NO. XXI. FARM HOUSE, COSTING $2,600. | |
| Economical and Practical.—Size and Shape.—Direction to Face.—Hight above Ground.—Cause of Decay in Principal Timbers.—Paving instead of flooring Shed. | [120] |
| DESIGN NO. XXII. A HOUSE, COSTING $2,800. | |
| Advantages of Square Form.—Rounded Roof Outlines.—New Modification of Mansard Roof.—Front Hall Dispensed with.—Chimneys to Save Heat. | [128] |
| DESIGN NO. XXIII. COUNTRY OR VILLAGE HOUSE, COSTING $2,800. | |
| Suited to the Wants of Professional Men.—Outlines and Dress.—Good Taste.—Rule for Projections.—Slate.—Estimate in Detail for Plastering. | [134] |
| DESIGN NO. XXIV. FARM HOUSE, COSTING $2,800. | |
| Questions Involved in Locations.—Distance from the Street to Build.—Seeming Growth of the Earth.—Superintending Construction.—Points. | [140] |
| DESIGN NO. XXV. A HALF-STONE HOUSE, COSTING $2,800. | |
| Rustic and Substantial.—Front and Rear Finish.—Construction.—Confined Sewage.—Prices of Building Materials. | [147] |
| DESIGN NO. XXVI. A FRAME HOUSE, COSTING $2,900. | |
| External Features.—Spreading out.—Direction to Face.—An Auxiliary Apartment.—Building a Section at a Time.—Reducing the Cost. | [152] |
| DESIGN NO. XXVII. A STONE HOUSE, COSTING $2,900. | |
| Solid, Independent, and Homelike.—Vines and Creepers for Decoration.—Manner of Building Corners, with Designs and Description. | [158] |
| DESIGN NO. XXVIII. A HOUSE, COSTING $3,000. | |
| Suburban Cottage, with Modern Improvements.—High Foundations.—Large Rooms.—Platform Stairs.—Low-down Grates.—Coal-lift. | [164] |
| DESIGN NO. XXIX. A HOUSE, COSTING $3,100. | |
| Summer Residence, with Principal Rooms in the Rear.—Parlor and Piazza for Use together.—Well, How Constructed. | [171] |
| DESIGN NO. XXX. FRAME AND BRICK HOUSE, COSTING $3,300. | |
| Indestructible Covering.—Design Showing Method of Construction, with Description.—Economical Plumbing. | [175] |
| DESIGN NO. XXXI. A HOUSE, COSTING $3,700. | |
| Residence or Parsonage.—Three Elevations.—Nearly Square Ground-Plan.—Arranged Similar to Double House. | [180] |
| DESIGN NO. XXXII. A HOUSE, COSTING $4,000. | |
| Double Front.—Bay Windows.—Circular Window Heads.—Preventing drafts.—Fire-place Heaters.—Plumber’s Work in Detail. | [187] |
| DESIGN NO. XXXIII. A BRICK HOUSE, COSTING $4,000. | |
| Compact Outline.—Vestibule Doors.—Vertical Side Walls in Mansard Roof.—Design of Frame, with Description. | [196] |
| DESIGN NO. XXXIV. COUNTRY RESIDENCE, COSTING $4,750. | |
| Perspective View.—Physicians’ Office.—Laboratory.—Water Reservoir.—Fountain.—Heaters and Grates. | [203] |
| DESIGN NO. XXXV. SUBURBAN RESIDENCES, COSTING $4,000. | |
| Mansard Roofs.—Variety.—Conservatory.—Roofing Materials foreign to each other.—Furnace. | [205] |
| DESIGN NO. XXXVI. A FARM HOUSE, COSTING $5,000. | |
| Hooded Style.—Main Entrance from two directions.—Position of Kitchen Wing.—Conservatory.—Beam Filling. | [209] |
| DESIGN NO. XXXVII. A SUBURBAN RESIDENCE, COSTING $7,000. | |
| Outlines determined by location.—Irregularities.—Pleasantest Apartments.—Arches.—Concrete Floors.—Parquet Floors. | [214] |
| DESIGN NO. XXXVIII. A SUBURBAN RESIDENCE, COSTING $8,000. | |
| Perspective View.—Modern Improvements.—Five Story Tower.—Dormer Windows.—School Room.—Remarks on Style. | [220] |
| DESIGN NO. XXXIX. SIX CONTIGUOUS HOUSES, COSTING $6,000. | |
| Building in Blocks.—What is Saved.—Overcoming many objections.—Preserving their identity as Cottages.—Deafening Partitions. | [227] |
| DESIGN NO. XL. FIVE CONTIGUOUS HOUSES, COSTING $10,000. | |
| Residence.—Corner-Stone.—Observatory.—Desirability.—Imposing and animated.—Full Specifications of Plumber’s Work. | [232] |
DESIGN I.
A COTTAGE, COSTING $250.
This plan was designed for a simple cottage, with sufficient accommodations for beginners in housekeeping with limited means. It is arranged as the Wing of a larger house to be erected in the future, as indicated in the dotted sketch adjoining the ground-plan. (The building, with the proposed enlargements complete, are given in [Design VIII.]) To a certain extent, one’s dwelling is an index of his character. Any effort at building expresses the owner’s ability, taste, and purpose. Every industrious man, starting in life, has a right, and should be encouraged, to anticipate prosperity, as the sure reward of honest worth; and he may, with propriety, give emphasis to such anticipations in every step, and with every blow struck. His dwelling may well express the progressive character, rather than a conclusive result. Beginning a home by starting with a room or two, as present means will allow, and increasing its dimensions as can be afforded, without the precarious aid of the money-lender, is honest, independent, and best provides against the ever-changing vicissitudes of life. The first step towards building is the preparation of plans. These should be sufficiently comprehensive to embrace all probable requirements. If only a small beginning is intended, it should be made to exhibit some degree of completeness, and be arranged to conform with the proposed future enlargements without serious alterations.... Exterior, ([fig. 1]).—In view of the relation this structure is to bear to a proposed main house, and to allow for the grading likely to be required in the ultimate completion of the whole, the foundation is made to show four feet above the ground. Such elevation adds to the prominence and good appearance of the building, and relieves the interior from the dampness likely to result from a closer contact with the soil. The style is simple, neat, and favorable for the using of ordinary materials and methods of construction.... Interior, ([fig. 2]).—Hight of ceiling, 9 feet. The entire floor space is utilized in the three convenient divisions—a Living-room, Bedroom, and a Large Pantry—with no chimney-breast, or stairway to interfere. Each room is pleasantly lighted, and the larger one has outside entrances front and rear. With a favorable location, the living-room may be made a very cheerful apartment.... Construction.—For economy, and in prospect of a future enlargement, that shall include ample cellars, such excavations are omitted for this building. The Foundations are brick piers, extending in the earth below the reach of frost, and 4 feet above, and the intermediate spaces are close-boarded, making an inclosure useful for many purposes. If desired, a sort of temporary cellar may be made, by deepening the central portion of this inclosure a foot or two, and banking the loose earth against the inside of the boarding. The Framework and other parts are substantially constructed, of materials as indicated in the appended estimate. The Chimney rests on the central partition (which is strengthened by the central pier of the foundation), and has two flues, with metal thimbles in the bottom of each—one to receive the stove-pipe from the living-room, and the other to serve as a ventilator for the bedroom. All of the materials are intended to be of merchantable quality. The siding, flooring, and casings are mill-dressed. The sizes of the sash are 2 ft. 8 in. × 5 ft. 2 in., and of the doors, 2 ft. 8 in. × 6 ft. 8 in., all 1¼ in. thick, and may be found ready-made, and seasoned, in the stock of any regular dealer.... In the following estimate, the item of $20, for carpenter’s labor, may seem very little. This amount is allowed for preparing the building ready for the plasterer, and is entered in this manner for convenience in making the calculations. Adding to the above amount the cost of such labor in the “completed” parts, will make a total of $50.