The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-10-17
FirebIaceS
often Only
Smoky Traps.

Families destined 10 sleeping on
sleeping porches; those who believed
that wide porches would be the es-
sence of comfort; those who build
fireplaces because they are so
honey, and those who think that
many gabled roofs look lovely, have
disappointments in store. Claude H.
Miller says, in the American Maya,
zine.
Miller built twenty-one houses
and still sees mistakes, he declares.
Miller proposes eight rules for home
builders and bewails his costly mis-
takes. He started his home-build-
ing career as an advertising man on
a moderate salary.
Sleeping porches," says Miller,
are the cold baths in the morning.
They are wonderful in the summer,
but in the winter they aren't so
hot. "Fireplaces, he adds, too often
are built by nasons who go by the
rule of by guess and by gosh.
Chimneys that set fire to roofs,
overhead water tanks and creaky
foundations are other things the
persistent homeseeker has found
that caused him to move more fire.
ouently than If he had not paid his
rent.
Avoid Long Verandas
Miller recommends, that bun
gaIow builders avoid long front
verandas. One never occupies more
than a tenth of them and they doom
any possibility of sunlight getting
into the house. Moreover, there Is
no privacy for any room opening
upon them.
The author condemns the attic
water tank, which, he says, hangs
like the sword of Damocles ever
above the ceiling.
Stay away from remodeling old
houses, because of possible flaws in
frames, foundations, and inability
of laymen to visualize completely
renewed structure.
Amateur builders usually forget
to have their properties surveyed
or the titles guaranteed. Miller
hadsplenty of this, he declares.
Watch That Fireplace
The wife's desire for fireplace
is not one to be fulfilled by the
nearest stone layer. Building
fireplace" says Miller, lis like the
old lady who hoped she'd have good
luck with her bread" Fireplaces, he
adds, need more care than the early
settlers of Plymouth gave them,
when half of the houses burned
down because they didn't know
about -chimneys.
Don't go too strong on sleeping
porches. They might be all right
for the man who likes cold bath
in the morning, but they're differ
ent for man whose hair is thin
ming on top.
Easement windows. Certain types
of houses need them, but, says the
author, "just to have them is a good
deal like the man who wears tan
shoes with his dinner clothes.
Watch the foundations. Even
on the side of hill there may be
drainage that will course through
the cellar or basement. Modern
waterproof1ng will avoid this. 1t
may sink and mere half inch will
destroy the poise of the building.
Make the foundations big, Miller
recommends after grievous expert
ences.
Get the Kitchen Right
The modern house builder is
blessed with improvements never
dreamed of twenty years ago."
Miller continues. THE bureau of
standards in Washington will guide
you In the choice of materials.
Write a few postcards and you will
get reliable advice from firms max
ing every item needed in building
a house
Above all, watch the construc-
ton % your kitchen. Contrary to
former days. the kitchen is not a
place TO get your meals, but a place
to entertain your friends, eat your
own meals and to point to with
pride. instead of viewing with
alarm