The morning journal-courier., 1907-12-19
ARCHITECTURAL EFFECTS.
In Concrete These May Be Obtained
 By Skillful Handling,

NitAi LAlS PAUItlNdl cOlullO0 or the problems connected with the use of concrete as a structural material. its use in the column, floor and roof con- struction of buildings has become de- lservedly popular, because of it's strength, durability and fireproof oual- tiles As a material for exposed wall surfaces, however, in which architec- tural effects of high order are desir- ed, the use of concrete has been com paratiyely infrequent, says Cement Age. This is due largely, no doubt, to the lack of knowledge as to the prop CT treatment of the material and the consequent difficulty in obtaining sat isfactery results
 Two general methods, namely, the block and the monolithic, have been employed for concrete walls, both sep arately and in combination. Up to the present time, the block method has been by far the most used, probably on account of the exploitation of this method by manufacturers of block machines. In many instances, how ever, no real attempt at architectural effect has been made, there being merely the more or less crude utiliza- ton of new and popular building material obtainable at a comparatively low cost. In inexperienced and care less hands this has resulted in num- erous dull and monotonous exteriors. On the other hand, care in design and skill in manufacture have, in sev- eral instances, resulted in a product of fine color and texture, which, when properly built in the walls is of very ereditable appearance. The imitation of cut stone effects in concrete has, however. been the chief aim of the block method, rather than the use of concrete as a material requiring spe- cial treatment
 By the monolithic method the treatment of the exposed walls has taken various forms, perhaps the ear Hest of which was that of plastering the walls after the removal of the l forms. This form has, however, been generally abandoned, due to the lia- bility of the applied coating to fall off and it's unattractive appearance when completed. Another form has been the ornamentation of the concrete surface by imbedding tile therein. Various mixtures of aggregate have been much used of late, such as cin
 ders, crushed stone of various colors
 pebbles and other materials, with the object of relieving the dull gray of +hn A iaft .Sf t1 may be obtained in this way by chang ing the size, color and kind of mate rials forming the aggregate. One way of obtaining effects of this kind which has recently been advocated, is to use a carefully graded aggregate, and af- ter the cement has hardened sufioi- entity to keep it's shape, the nods are removed and the surface treated with
 water and brushes before its final set. These brushes remove the cement be-
 tween the aggregate, leaving it expos ed, with the cement in which 1t is im-
 bedded as a background Results of a very pleasing character have been oh-
 tained by this form of treatment. For
 commercial purposes, however, it is perhaps open to the objection that the short time in which the forms must
 be removed and the finishing done
 with brushes would render 1t inn
 practicable in many instances
 Most adaptable and already used to a considerable extent, is the treatment
 Of the cement after 1t has been hard ened by means of stone cutters tools. It possesses the practical advantage of allowing the molds to remain in posi- tion until the concrete has fully set, as well as permitting the removal of pro jecting edges due to defects in the molds, the finishing of the work being performed when convenient, By means of the patent hammer, the skin coat ing of the cement is removed and the aggregate exposed, obtaining a great variety of effects, according to the az gregate used,