Evening star., 1934-10-13
AVERAGE HOUSES
NEED IMPROVING
Serious Damage Averted in
Many Cases by Timely
Modernizing.

There are few houses that cannot
be improved through some alteration
or repair job. The average house
could be made much more livable
by certain changes. In many cases,
serious damage can be averted only
by immediate repairing.
The mere removal of gingerbread"
often gives an entirely new appearance
to an old house. A slight alteration in
the roof line, new and more effective
chimney, an old porch converted into
q conservatory, or a new wing to pro-
vide additional space, is often all that
is necessary to give the home a mod
ernized appearance.
When the roof covering, flashings,
cutters or doWnSpoutS fail, serious
damage to the interior results. They
should be checked before Winter
weather makes arduous demands upon
them.
Side Walls and Roof.
Insulation Of side walls and roof
might also be done at this time Win
dows and doors should be weather
stripped for added comfort and fuel
economy, and inefficient windows and
doors repaired or replaced. Easement
windows or French doors may add
greatly to the aspect Of both exterior
and interior. Shutters often improve
the appearance of the exterior.
The outer walls may require only
q new coat of paint to put them in
tip-top condition. Any loose clap
boards or shingles must be tightened
or replaced first, and the painting
should be done before freezing weather.
Some walls may be greatly improved
with a new sidD.g of clapboard,
shingles or masonry. Any cracks in
masonry side walls or foundations
should be sealed, and the foundations
made termite-proof with concrete or
metal.
Repairs Minimize Danger.
Repairs to porch floors, columns,
failingS, steps and supports will
minimize the danger of personal in
jury and add to the exterior appear
ance. If the porch is out of date, it
may be altered, converted into a
room or removed. If inadequate, it
may be enlarged.
Partitions, preferably of fireproof
material, built around the furnace
and coal bins will render the rest
of the basement more useful for
laundry, food storage, work shop or
recreation purposes. Brightly painted
and well equipped with shelves and
built-in tables, the basement will be-
come more pleasant place in which
to work. Additional windows will add
to its brightness and utility, and a
new outside entrance will contribute
to its convenience. A ceiling will add
to the appearance and help to keep
dust from the upstairs rooms. If a
basement is lacking, one may be dug,
concreted and finished according to
the above suggestions.
Upstairs Improvements.
General Improvements upstairs
might include new floors and trim, a
fireplace, book and knick-knack
shelves, window seats, radiator COW
ers, wallpaper or paint, and an ex-
mansion of the electrical system.
New partitions or the removal of old
ones often adds to the utility Of a
house. If additional closets are
needed, they may be built in corners.
A large, unused closet may be trans
formed into bath room, bed room,
sewing room, den or nursery. All
space should be well utilized
kitchens and bath rooms need
particular attention, especially with
regard to plumbing and convenience.
Obsolete fixtures should be replaced
with modern sanitary ones. The
floors and walls may be done over
to harmonic with the new fixtures.
The kitchen might offer greater con-
Venience if arranged differently.