The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-10-23
STUCCO In FAVOR
FOR new BUILDING
Tile Construction Assures
FireprOOf Structure.
CAN BE BUILT AT LOW COST
Reduces Fire Risk TO Minimum-Of-
fers Artistic Opportunities - Is
Highly SaEitnry-HolIos Wall Is
Warm In Winter and Cool I'm SUM-
mer-Many Built In South.

In view of the rapidly increasing use Of
plaster and stuceo In construction of wall
faeinss for residences, 1t is interesting to
note the great development In the advan-
tages which this form OF building mate
rial gives,
Although the house with a stucco ex-
terror is comparatively old. as far as its
artistic appreciation is concerned, it has
been only within the last few years that
any value has been attached 10 It as u
form OF fireproof construction. This de-
velopment has been attained mainly by
the use Of terra Gotta hollow tiles, which
are used In the building of the walls and
floors and are covered. on the inside,
with ordinary hard plaster and on the
outside with stuccO cement
Reduces Fire Risk.
Besides reducing the risk of fire to a
minimum. this form of wall construc-
ton presents other advantages. which
are all-important in making the home of
comfort and refinement
Aside from the opportunities for beauty
and the greatest hreproof qualities. the
stucco house is practically waterproof
and highly sanitary. Vermin of every
kind and mice, are unable TO make any
entrance through the walls. and the
chance of dampness is slight. Scientific
tests show that the conservation of heat
in cold weather is three times as great
In a tile house as ia a frame. and, on
the same principle which makes this pos
sihle, the tile house is much cooler in
the hot months.
maintenance Minimized.
In its economical qualities the tile
dwelling is vastly superior 10 any other
style of building Beyond the repairs
necessary for the window frames there
ara absolutely no expenses TO be incurred
in the usual upkeep OF the house. Even
If painted. the stuccO seems to hold color
longer than any other form of wall fac
ing Al the same time the material is of
such strength that the owner may feel
perfectly safe from the ravages of time.
an item OF no little Importance 10 the
average hOme-dweller.
In its appeal 90 the lover OF the artis-
tie the stucco house takes a premier po-
sition. Generations Of architects and
builders have devoted their energies TO
the finding Of a moderately inexpensive
form OF dwelling. which at the same time
viii yield 10 some degree of latitude in
beauty of design. The stucco house
seems To iii this want Beautiful effects
can be hal by roofs and trimmings, and
the construction OF the roof may be Of
various materials red tiles and green
states laid like shingles being the most
popular
Variety in Design.
Easement windows, ornamental shut
ters, hooded doorways, and mosaics can
be used with almost infinite variety. all
harmonizing better with a stucco wall
than with frame or brick.
The American love OF out-Of-dOOrs IS
another factor which makes this ttyle Of
dwelling popular. umerable styles OF
porChes. piazzas. and balconies. some In
front and some on the side. can be used
with decided artistic effect in building
a stucco house, where the same thing
attached 10 a brick or frame building
would be out of place. Beautiful designs
Of Oriental and medieval architecture can
be more easily and cheaply procured with
the stucco building than with frame
brick, OF stone.