Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-03-05
The Country Home
WHEN YOU BUILD A HOUSE
BY MRS. w. I'll. FELTON,

WHEN YOU BUILD A HOUSE
I notice that only a few plain
houses are in process of construc-
ton. On my trip to and from Flor
ida there were not many new struc-
lures to be seen from the swiftly
moving train. Nothing, however, to
compare with what we were accus-
toned to see before the world war
began. While Accent cotton lasted
, there was a very great deal of land
selling, but very little of new build
ings, except in the heart Of big
cities like Atlanta or Jacksonville.
I have a great liking for building
plans. L always have had. We hear
q lot about castles in the air." and
I feel sure [ have planned and con-
jectured our small farm houses and
town cottages beyond anybody's
comprehension. To plan so much
and do so little is simply a wonder
to myself, because 1 keep at it and
enjoy the very look of q house plan,
no matter where l chance upon one,
in a newspaper or big magazine.
In days before the Civil war all
southern homes treaked, as the Beers
of South Africa would say, towards
one-story houses surrounded with
piazzas. Shingles were cheap and
plentiful, and we cared nothing about
upstairs rooms as a rule. so we
spread our dwellings over the ground
and then we built roomy plazZas all
around these one-story buildings.
Now that lumber has gone up IN
price and roofing costs so much, both
in town and country, we are ASKING
ourselves why not put more rooms
under one small eXpanSe of roof and
not so much roof on so many ground
Tn, y11o
we have entirely too much unoccu-
pied space in the framed roof which
only covers the house and is perfect
ly empty above the lower floor CELL
ing.
There is neither economy or good
sense in such emptiness. When
chimney is built in these one-Story
rooms. there may be one, two, and
possibly three fire openings, or
crate spaces, to one chimney. when
you build chimney that reaches up
to a proper and safe distance from
lot of brick in it, that is only
flue, for down stars convenience,
With very little more labor and
few more brick one can build
or open as many spaces for CRATES
or heaters high up, as they, have
The same chimney can sup
ply several openings. and there can
be small rooms, made close and
comfortable under and in the roof,
and thus provide the family with
whole lot Of good sleeping and stor-
age space. Every family needs
hide-away room, also a trunk room.
Why not secure these convenient
places inside that great barn-like
space that is not utilized above the
lower story. This can easily be
done. The roof is a positive neces-
sity. You are obliged to spend your
money for roofs. They are also the
first part of the building to need re-
pairs. I have known old southern
homes, where all the rest of the
house would last. if the timber was
sound as it used to be; but in
ten or twelve years all the roofs
must be worked over with new shin
giles or tin.
If we were careful to paint our
could have them for a much longer
period.
And who can estimate the ar
that leaks every time it rains, and
threatens to cave in every time it
SHOWS, and that will catch on fire
from a spark on any gusty day in
spring or fall. Less roof expense is
chiefly what we should plan for in
modern houses.
I expect the people will be obliged
to use cement and brick with steel
Orders after you and have passed
on and the timber supply has van
ished. Then the idea will prevail to
put as many rooms under the roof
as the structure will bear.