Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-08-17

Figures are not available with which TO
present in dollars the value Of the brick
work in buildings erected In Omaha within
period of ten years, but to any one who
has kept open an observing eve, II lie
easily apparent that the increase in the use
of brick has been marvellous.
In no department of masonry is this fact
so noticeable as in the use of face brick
for residences Here, as in no other sort of
construction, is the tendency toward the
use Of brick so we'll emphasized, because
Omaha has been accustomed to see frame
dwellings erected by the hundreds with
hardly a single brick house to break the
monotony.
Many Brick Residences.
A drive through the streets Of the resi-
dence sections Of Omaha will open the eyes
Of any doubter Fairacres, for example, is
a brick settlement. Not one Of the many
beautiful homes erected in this most charm
ing suburb is of frame Masonry has
complete monopoly in Fairacres,
The Field club district, which started out
to be frame community, has undergone
striking change of heart, and in sddi-
ton to the numerous handsome all-brick
residences are a dozen or more half-brick
which fine face brick have been used in a
conspicuous and generous manner.
Perhaps the most striking example OF
artistic all-brick work In the Field club
district, if not in the whole city, is the
now almost completed English style brick
residence of r. f. Sunderland at Thirty
seventh and Pacific This house has at
tracted much favorable comment, largely
because Of the tapestry effect worked into
the exterior walls of fine masonry
And what Is true Of these sections applies
to every important residence part of
Omaha. The use of brick Is increasing be-
cause brick has merit superior to other
building materials The cost Of building OF
brick is commonly thought to be very
high. This is mistake.
10 build OF brick veneer does not cost to
exceed 20 per cent more than frame Sum-
pose, therefore, the contemplated invest
ment in frame house is $1,000 If the
builder adopts the brick type Of house the
cost may run up to $6O0O Where will the
extra $1,000 come from? 1t is undeniable
that building and loan associations would
rather increase the loan to the amount
necessary to change from frame to brick
than to carry the lower risk on the cheaper
construction. Insurance is less on the
brick structure. The comparative cost Of
repairs and upkeep discounts the frame
investment at the start. Occupants Of the
brick house enjoy comforts quite unknown
to those who inhabit the frame building.
Passerby praise the looks Of the most mod
est brick house.
Increase In Values.
Building lots usually increase In value
quite perceptibly in ten years time. n the
building is frame, the depreciation is not
less than the increase in land value-a flat
loss of such increase to the owner. II the
building is of brick the idea OF depreciation
is hardly suggested to the buyer. The
owner therefore saves cost OF upkeep, re-
pairs and worry and also saves and realizes
the natural Increase in the value of the
realty.
A brick property is always saleable, while
a frame property frequently fails to attract
buyer except at heavy loss. 1t is these
facts which are turning the minds Of
Omaha home builders to the use of brick
and Omaha is destined to be a city of
beautiful brick buildings.
Another factor in this change of ideas on
the part of builders is the recent develop
ment in the art of making fine brick. To-
day 100 colors, kinds styles and shapes OF
face brick are available where none but
smooth, dry press red, buff and grey were
formerly offered, Progressive brick manu-
facturers and dealers are in a large meas
ure responsible for the present general
interest in brick as a building material.
There has been of late decided increase
in the use of brick thu Jughout the entire
west, but It is only the beginning Of an age
in which brick will be the generally APP
proved and accepted construction mater. al.