Fig. 9.—RADIATOR.
Fig. 10.-RADIATOR.
DESIGN IV.
A COUNTRY HOUSE, COSTING $550 TO $700.
This plan of a low-priced dwelling is adapted to the wants of many living in the country. It will accommodate a small family well, and has a pleasing appearance.... Exterior, ([fig. 11].)—The Front has a sufficient variety of parts to insure a fair degree of picturesqueness. An allowable amount of neat tracery is admitted in the composition of the gables, and between the piazza columns, to give an expression of taste and cheerfulness. More than this would not accord with the utility and economy especially aimed at in these low-priced plans. If intended for a Summer Cottage, or Gate-lodge, for persons of larger means, the matter of exterior dress would assume quite a different aspect, and admit of more liberal treatment.... Ground-Plan, ([fig. 12].)—The arrangement shown is adapted to an eastward frontage, placing the Entrances and the Living-room on the pleasant side, where least exposed to northerly winds and cold. Should an opposite frontage be selected, the plan may be suited to it by reversing the sides, as this would be reflected if held before a mirror. The hight of the ceilings are 10 feet. The front entrances open directly from the piazza to the parlor and living-room. These entrances may be protected in winter by a sash inclosure, forming a pleasant vestibule of a part of the piazza. The principal rooms are a Parlor, Kitchen, and two Bedrooms. The Parlor is in front of the main building, and of sufficient size for the ordinary uses of such an apartment. The Kitchen is intended as the Living-room, where the family, maintaining the simplicity of cottage life, spend much of their in-door time, sharing together the domestic cares and comforts. It is sufficiently spacious to admit of the requisite furniture, and allow of the ordinary family gathering without crowding. It has three windows; if desired, the upper part of the front door may have sashes, giving views in three directions. The pantry and lobby, at the rear, are of equal size, both opening from the kitchen. The two Bedrooms adjoin each other (but have no communication between them in the plan. This may be arranged as desired.) One opens from the parlor, the other from the kitchen, and each has a closet. The Chimney is placed between the kitchen and parlor, with an open fire-place on the kitchen side. The method of heating, described for [Design III.], would insure the comfortable warming of both of the principal rooms from one kitchen fire.... Cellar, ([fig. 13].)—Hight, 6½ feet. The dimensions embrace the space below the kitchen and the bedrooms; it has three windows and an outside entrance. The part under the parlor is unexcavated.... Construction.—The Foundation-walls are of broken stone and mortar, and show 2 feet above ground. Those under the parlor are laid in trenches, extending below the reach of frost. The chimney is of hard brick and mortar. The frame-work, roofing, and exterior plastering, are similar to those described for [Design VI.] The gables are inclosed with vertical boarding, having their lower ends cut to pattern, and are battened over the joints. The ornamental verges in the gable-cornices are of pine boards, and, being of simple design, are readily made, and put in position while building. A pleasing effect is produced by “lining off” the surface of the exterior plastering into courses or squares. This is easily done with a “straight-edge,” and an S shaped iron while finishing. The final “Stearate” covering (see [Design VI.]) may be divided and shaded in two parts, and so applied as to give the alternate squares slight changes of shade. The best results may be obtained from exterior plastering where properly done. It is impervious to either air or water, and therefore equals the more expensive methods of inclosures for houses of this character. It should not be attempted over horizontal lines of framework, as the shrinking and consequent contraction will cause a bulging and cracking of the plaster at those points. Whenever obliged to cross such timbers, the upright framework must be halved on to them, and continued in whole lengths, to prevent such contractions. All joinings with the exterior wood-finish must be carefully made, especially at the top, to prevent water from entering, and running down behind the walls. Wide projectives of cornices afford a valuable protection for such walls against driving storms. Exterior plastering may be done in any season that is free from frost. An ordinary rain will do no injury to either of the two coats of plaster after they have become “set.” The “Stearate” should be applied as soon as the plastering is thoroughly dried.
Estimate for cost of materials and labor:
| 54 | yards excavation, at 20c. per yard. | $10.80 | |
| 1,300 | ft. foundation, at 10½c. per ft. | 136.50 | |
| 1,250 | brick, laid, at $12 per M. | 15.00 | |
| 28 | ft. stone steps and sills, at 28c. per ft. | 7.84 | |
| 120 | yards exterior plastering, at 30c. per yard. | 36.00 | |
| 224 | ” interior ” ” 25c. ” ” | 56.00 | |
| 1,700 | ft. of timber, at $15 per M. | 25.50 | |
| 2 | sills, 3 × 8 in. 30 ft. long. | ||
| 3 | plates, 4 × 6 in. 16 ft. long. | ||
| 7 | beams, 3 × 8 in. 13 ft. long. | ||
| 3 | sills. 3 × 8 in. 16 ft. long. | ||
| 2 | plates, 4 × 6 in. 13 ft. long. | ||
| 10 | beams, 2 × 8 in. 16 ft. long. | ||
| 2 | sills, 3 × 8 in. 19 ft. long. | ||
| 9 | posts, 4 × 6 in. 10 ft. long. | ||
| 7 | beams, 2 × 8 in. 13 ft. long. | ||
| 2 | plates, 4 × 6 in. 30ft. long. | ||
| 14 | beams, 3 × 8 in. 16 ft. long. | ||
| 1 | piazza, 2 × 8 in. 18 ft. long. | ||
| 200 | wall-strips, at 10c. each, $20; cornice materials and gable finish, $18.25. | 38.25 | |
| 180 | shingling lath, at 5c. each, $9.00; 16 spruce-planks, at 20c. each, $3.20. | 12.20 | |
| 34 | bunches shingles, at $1.25 per bunch. | 42.50 | |
| 80 | flooring-planks, at 20c., $16; piazza, $40. | 56.00 | |
| 3 | cellar-windows, $9; 8 plain windows, $56. | 65.00 | |
| 11 | doors, $44: closet-finish, $12: nails, $10: carting, $12. | 78.00 | |
| Painting, $30; carpenter’s labor, $75; incidentals, $15.41. | 120.41 | ||
| Total cost. | $700.00 | ||
| If cellar is omitted, deduct, $167.14. Cost without cellar. | $532.86 | ||
Fig. 11.—FRONT ELEVATION OF HOUSE.