Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-01-12
Iron House Fronts.

To those who note the results of recent in
vestigatiOns as to the best kinds of material
to be used in the erection of buildings in
thickly populated cities. the popularity OF
cast iron fronts is sufficiently evident. In
| Cincinnati especially. iron architecture is
! growing in public favor, and some of the
| finest edifices that are 10 be erected here the
coming season are to have iron fronts. The
| designs for the five story block about being
commenced on the Southeast corner of Fourth
and Vine streets, are, we believe, already in
| the hands of the pattern marks
! The advantages of the use of irCn for build
| ings, are more apparent where space is
valuable. and in cases where it is desired to
! embellish the exterior with rich and elaborate
ornaments. In the one case, the difference is
! this: brick walls vary in thickness from nine
to twenty inches, and some for heavy build
! ings are even thicker than this. while. with
| the exception of the space occupied by
pilasters, lntels, window-caps, &c, the thick
ness of an iron wall is only about half an
! inch. In general, these spaces between the
columns could be occupied by shelving or
otherwise, which, when ''city LOTS are very
high, amounts to a noticeable consideration
The trimmings, cornice, &C., can be orna-
mentcd at much less expense in the use ofiron
than of stone
The laws which govern the architect in the
development of his art seem to favor the use
of iron for strange as il mayhppear, a certain
degree of architectural display is essential to
the obtaining proper degree of strength.
To insure cheapness, the iron wall must
cast of necessity be very thin, but iron
buildings are SO profusely filled with
columns, lintels, facio plates, window caps
and stills, cornices, and various other angular
and curved projections and recesses, that the
metal has liberal opportunity to expand or
contract to any required degree; and the le-
Verage of the parts to resist any lateral force
is also increased to nearly as great an extent
as if the walls were made solid to that thick
ness.
The steps necessary in the erection of iron
fronts are obvious. A professional architect
usually works out design to suit the proprie-
tors, and submits his drawings to the pal tern
maker, although as the art advances, and
stocks of patterns and models are increased,
a large number of parts will be the same as
those already on hand, therefore much Of this
labor is obviated.
The casting is done in the usual way The
columns, plasters, and all the exposed parts
of the heavy pieces are planed in a planning
machine. and the smaller parts are ''tumbled
or dressed by hand. The foundry and ma
chine shop are provided with cranes to facili-
tate the handling of the heaviest pieces, some
of which weigh two or three tons.
The drilling and fitting is done in the
work shop, where also the iron receives a
coat of paint. The smaller parts are some
times immersed in linseed oil at nearly its
boiling Leaf. This process is believed to SO
ctfectually fill the pores of the metal as to
add very materially to its durability.
Iron buildings. properly constructed, COM
bine unequalled advantages of ornament,
strength and durability, while they at the
same time afford larger amount of useful in
terror space. and are secure against danger
from fire. The parts are fastened together
much more firmly than any mortar is capable
Of cementing stones or bricks.
The manufacture of iron fronts for build
ing has been successfully pursued in Cincin-
natl during the past sixteen years In 1913
Mr. Miles Greenwood undertook to build iron
fronts. and since then he has put them up in
almost every portion of the Northwest and
South. Some OF the best buildings in ST.
Louis, New Orleans. Chicago, Memphis, Nash
Vile, and other cities throughout the western
country, are ornamented with specimens of
iron fronts from this establshme nts. which
shows Il wide range of territory dependent for
this article, upon Cincinnati manufacturers.
In connection with the manufacture of
iron fronts, are also made iron pavementS con-
tanning prismatlc glass, also cast iron girders
TO support the pavements, iron stairs, window
shutters. plain and revolving, and iron vaults.
-CaaciHndti Gazette.