New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-10-05

put up many large buildings, using
these steel moulds for the work.
"Ten of these wall-mouldinp outfits
were used. Each outfit was made up
of twelve moulds. The cost of com
plete house building outfit Of this kind
is $500, but as these steel plates can
be used over and over on job after lob
the cost per house was a small item.
1T is not an uncommon occurrence
to read of a village of houses being re-
duced to ashes, but it is somewhat re-
markaole to see ashes turned into per-
manent fireproof houses. This has
been successfully done at Overlook
Colony, and also at Nanticokc, Penn,
where group of forty freproof houses
was designed and built by me.
IN the foundation walls Of the Over
look Colony houses small stones from
four to six inches were dropped into
and Embedded in the concrete. as the
moulds were filled These stones dis.
placed and saved from 30 to so pcr cent
of the concrete. When properly bcdded
ton, breakagc in handling, cutting to
MT spaces around windows and the
time required by masons for setting
brick or tile.
Fault has been found with some
OF the earlier concrete houses because
Of the wall.
"1n this process of building, instead
of the blocks, bricks or tile being
moulded at factory and shipped to the
Job to be set by skilled masons, the
BLOCKS of concrete were moulded in
place on the wall, which did away with
al OF the manufacturing, transporta-
the exterior appearance was somewhat
crude, as compared with houses of
brick or wood. The development of the
white portland cement stucco has
changed this, and the concrete house
OF to-day Is made the best-looking
house. as we'll as the most SUBSTANTIAL.
Moulding the Walls at Overlook
The door and window frames were
placed in position as the work was
done and the concrete moulded around
these frames. This did away with all
open joints and made wind tight,
weather-proof house
A sheet metal box was used to in
close the sash weight, a new idea in
window frame construction. The frames
we're cut of standard size and came to
the job knocked down. The cement sill
was moulded in place.
Advantages of Such Construction
Concrete is not always the cheapest
ndteIlai with when to bulid, but is
the most permanent and least expen.
sive in the long run. In many locations
where sand and gravel are at hand
or where cindcrs are obtainablc. con-
crete has the added advantage of be-
ing the cheapest as we'll as the best
construction to use.
These moulded concrete walls pre-
sented very attractive appearance.
they were first roughly moulded, and
then given one coat of Atlas white
portland cement stucco. This stucco
not only made the walls waterproof
and gave them permanent wall finish,
but saved future expense Of painting,
upkeep and repair. The wall of corr
crete house is different from the house
Of wood, tile or brick, because concrete
becomes stronger with age
Flush Interior Trim
"All Of the interior finish in these
concrete houses is set flush with the
plaster, instead of projecting, as is
the usual custom. This reduces the
woodwork to minimum and the flush
finish largely eliminates the dust
cntchers. The woodwork received the
first coat of stain before it was nut in
place. 1t was the original intention
to eliminate all grounds as plaster
board was used. applying tho same