BUILDING and HOMES

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 184, 30 April 1924, Page 12

BUILDING and HOMES

(BY

JACK PLANE)

BRICKS OR CONCRETE ?

AUTHORITIES IN DEBATE LESSONS OF BRITISH HOUSING Space was given recently in the columns of the London “Daily News” to an interesting discussion on the relative merits of bricks and concrete as materials for small houses. The question was raised in the first instance by Mr. O. M. Hennell. F. 5.1., who has had wide experience in designing and building small houses of the modern type at Welwyn Garden City, and in other places. “Concrete,” Mr. Hennell observed in part, ‘is an excellent material for many purposes, but it is neither economical nor reallv satisfactory for small house building. Statements to the effect that concrete houses aro 25 to 33 per cent, cheaper than brick houses of the same size are totally untrue and very misleiding- The whole of the brickwork in an ordinary working-class house does not cost at the very outside more than one-tliird of the whole house. If concrete were to take the place of the brickwork at half the cost, only one-sixth of the total cost of the house would be saved. However, under the most favourable circumstances, cor.cerete walling costs much more than half the price of brickwork, and there are other factors bearing upon the total cost cf the house. Concrete walling makes for difficult and expensive fixing of joinery, holes for pipes, chases, etc., and this very soon counter-balances anv saving in cost of the walling itself. “Various forms of house construction have been tried at Welwyn Garden City, where experts with open minds have made every endeavour to arrive at the most economical form of building. What has happened there? ‘Stunt’ building has been abandoned and all the houses erected during the past two years, including cottages costing under 1)300 apiece, aro built on traditional lines with brick walls.

“Concrete houses, and there were a considerable number built at Welwyn from 1920 to 1922, proved so costly and unsatisfactory compared with those of brick that they are not likely to be attempted there again, at any rate for many years to come. “Apart from the question of cost, health and comfort should be considered, and tho house whose fabric does not readily absorb the condensation is not the most healthy and comfortable. Concrete that does not admit water from outside will not absorb the moisture from within, and bricks and mortar have proved themselves to be the best materials for house building in England, largely because they absorb the condensation which our climate renders excessive.” The claims of concrete were upheld by Major James Petrie, president of the Institution of Structural Engineers, in an article written in reply to Mr. Hennell. Many opponents of concrete as a material for building, he declared, rushed into print with an inadequate knowledge of the subject. Those most competent to speak, and these included such eminent persons as tho Director-General of Housing in Great Britain, Sir Charles Ruthen, spoke unhesitatingly in favour of concrete.

“Tlip claims of tho concrete cottage,” Major Petrin added, “are now generally recognised, and tho fact that (whatever ill-luck may have pursued Mr. Hennell in the "Welwyn Garden Suburb), Belfast, Edinburgh, Swansea, and other large centres have decided to use this material in one or other of its different forms, is a very practical answer to those who have derided concrete as a material for cottage construction on aesthetic, structural, or other grounds. It has to he recognised that a predilection exists in favour of materials which have been used for centuries, but in the face of acute shortage of dwellings .prejudice must not stand in tho way of any method which will enable sound and pleasantlooking cottages to bo erected in the shortest possible space of time. . . “To leave the remainder of Mr. ITennell’s statements alone, and come down to facts: I have the authority of the Director-General of Housing, who has made probably a closer and more accurate study of the housing problem than any man living, that if concrete is no cheaper than bricks for dwelling houses it is no dearer; that there is a verv grave shortage of bricklayers (which governs the whole problem, as even if there were an unlimited supply or bricks they would be useless without a similar supply of trained bricklayers);

and that this sbvtr.ge of bricklayers cannot be overcome for many years.

“Unskilled men can very quickly be trained to handle the various forms oi concrete construction, and concrete cottages can undoubtedly be built very rapidly. There is an unlimited supply of cement. Any person who has seen some of tho latest designs in concrete cottages must admit that they’ can be made every bib as attractive as brick, and they are certainly as lasting!

“The only matter on which care should be taken (and this may account for some of Mr. Hennell’s trouble) is that before starting to build in concrete the authority, or client building, should consult a properly-qualified structural engineer.”

INSURANCE FOR HOME BUSTERS

Some British insurance companies have developed special endowment policies to assist house purchasers. One office, according to the “Manchester Guardian,” reports more applications for mortgages on house property during the last two years than since the company was started forty years ago. An illustration will show how a man may become his own landlord within twenty years or leave his house free of debt in the event of his earlier death, without materially increasing his present annual outlay. Suppose a man of 30, with an available capital of £3OO, occupies a house rented at £55 and valued at, say, £7OO. Ho could acquire the bouse by borrowing from the insurance company £4OO, costing him for expenses, interest, insurance, and repayments only about £4O a year. Deducting this ftrom his former yearly rent, £55. there is a balance of £l5, which should be sufficient in ordinary circumstances to pay the upkeep of his house. In the event of death of the borrower the debt duo by him to the company is cancelled by tne maturity of the policy. Should the borrower wish to redeem the loan at any time before his half-yearly payments are completed the company give him every facility for doing so. In this country people desirous of buying a homo are able to obtain money on very easy terms from the State Advances Department. A housing loan based on a life and endowment policy has the very great _ advantage, however, that the debt is extinguished in tho event of the death of the family breadwinner. SHORTAGE OF CRAFTSMEN In Great Britain there is an even more serious shortage of skilled craftsmen engaged in the building trade than there is in this country. In 1901 there were 828,462 building tradesmen in Britain. In 1911 the total was 729,092; in July, 1914, the number had fallen to 423,518; in February, 1923, there was a further reduction to 367,220; while January this year showed a slight increase to 369,030. Until this shortage of craftsmen is made good there is little hope of making much headway with the programme of 200,000 new houses per annum which is declared to bo necessary in order that the housing needs of the British population may be met.

Tho problem thus raised was consid- | cred recently by a representative com- . initteo appointed by the British NaI tionai Housing and Town Planning I Council. Tho committee found that the shortage of building tradesmen was ®-S pi a .iarily to the fact that for many years past an insufficient number of apprentices had entered the industry. As may be seen from the recommendations quoted below, tho committee proposes to deal with the apprenticeship problem on very much the same lines as are now being adopted in this country

The Government should be naked to make a clear declaration of determination to carry into effect a lonarun housing policy. The number of annrentfeeg in training should be brought up to tho level of a number mutually agreed upon between employers and opera tiven. All builders engaged on public work, either national cr local or engage'’ in building houses in respect of which subsidies are given. should be required «s a condition of their contract or the receipt of the subsidy, to train a specified proportion of apprentices. A central committee of employers and operatives should be set up s'ul be charged with the definite duties of arranging for the recruitment of apprentices and the provision of adequate facilities for their training. A system of insurance cr. a contributory basis or otherwise should be net up and should provide that, time lost, in inclement weather should be paid for. if not. in full, at least in mart. Various improvements should be made in the status of the craftsman and in the conditions cf employment, with the definite object of making the industry more attractive.

STRAY NOTES

Stainless steel is now being used for many things besides cutlery. A practical novelty lately exhibited in Great Britain is a “hearth set” in stainless steel, comprising a grate, curb, framed mirror, and “hearth furniture”—poker, tongs, and so on. Very little exertion is needed to keep bright a fireplace of this kind. Finger door plates in stainless steel are made in various ornamental designs. Stainless metal name plates aro now used by British professional men outside their business residences, and simply need an occasional light rubbing, since atmospheric change has so little effect on this metal.

Designed with a view to preventing the danger of loose stair-rods is a new staircase rod eye in stainless steel. By a simple device the rod is held firmly in position and will not move unless lifted out. Stair rods in stainless steel are particularly cheaper. Picture hooks, which in ordinary metal show the result of dampness, are practical and ornamental. A manufacturer of this metal says the best way to clean stainless steel is by applying a littlo whitening with a soft rag, or, better still, with the finger. No polishing is necessary. Another novelty is a stainless steel tin opener, which is claimed to be “germ proof,” because it has no joints and will not rust. A rocking table is a source of much annoyance, especially when it is a kitchen table. In nine out of every ten cases, the defect is due not to a leg being loose, but to one leg being slightly shorter than the others. A simple way of remedying this defect is to tack one or more thicknesses of leather or linoleum on to the short leg. After they are fixed, the packing pieces may easily be cut neatly to the shape of the leg. A chair that does not rest firmly on its feet may be made firm in the same manner. The interior of a house usually bears some relation to the personality of tho people living in it. . But in attempts to get effects freakishness should be avoided. There is the old story of a man who bought a pretentious fire screen, and then found that it put the room out of proportion. He changed the room, and the rest of the house was out of proportion. He changed the ■ house. The lesson of that—-let us hope—mythical man should not be lost in aiming at expression. Comfort and some arrangement of colour and form pleasing to the eye ought to be a dominant note in a living-room. The sideboard in the dining-room does not look any better with a garish display of china, silver, and nicknacks. A room seems larger, more secure and restful, when the carpet is framed by a border ol stained wood or paquetry. The admission of women to the profession of architecture in Great Britain is at present a subject of interest in that country. One commentator observes that tho woman architect of a few years hence will find greater opportunities than at present for the exercise of her profession. Building will not then be such a restricted business, and tho influence of woman’s ideas on housing in all its aspects cannot fail to have established for her a welcome place in the general scheme of providing brighter and better homes for the people. In America they are now talking of a house with revolving rooms. The ground floor is on a revolving stage, which is divided into three large living rooms. By pressing a button when standing on the outer edge of tho room one is in, the whole apartment turns, including the walls, and the next segment, reveals another liv-ing-room. In this way, it is said, dining-room, drawing-room, and library are fit for guests or members of the family at a moment’s notice. Now that wo can listen-in to America, comments an English sceptic, some night, perhaps, wo shall hear a room turn- • ing 1

Taking as their watchward “A City of Trees,” property-owners and estate agents in a number of Californian cities have set in motion a tree-planting movement. In these cities, building operations and the extension of municipal works have occasioned the destruction of many trees. The promoters of the movement mentioned maintain that as a matter of good business the streets and available open spaces should be methodically replanted. there is great scope for a similar movement in Wellington City, and in many other parts of New Zealand. To enamel a bath that has been previously painted, remove first of all the paint with a paste of caustic soda and water. Spread this over the entire surface with a palate knife, taking care that it does not touch the fingers. Leave it for twelve hours and then wipe it off with pads of newspaper and the paint will come off too. Then wash the exposed iron with soap and hot water, and when dry rub with glasspaper till quite smooth. Wash again to remove any grit, dry thorough!}-, and

the bath is ready for the first coat of enamel. Use the best bath enamel and plenty of it, to ensure a glossy surface, and apply with a fairly wide, good bush. Leave it for two or three days, or until the first coat is dry enough to be rubbed down with fine sand-paper, before putting on the second. When the latter has set, the bath should be filled with cold water for three days before being used, and the part above the water-line wiped occasionally with a sponge. Marble ornaments or plaques (according to a British exchange) can be renovated by applying a mixture comprising four parts of cuttlebone to five parts of kieselguhr and eight parts of crystal carbonate of soda. Mix the ingredients to a paste and apply the paste with a rag, rubbing well. Then wash off the paste and finish with a good polishing cream to give a final gloss. One of the latest ideas in . electric fittings is a hanging lamp which consists of a double glass bowl, between which silk or other material can be placed. This simple idea enables any colour to be used, and also means that a change can be niade as often as is desired. It is quite one of the best ideas in lamps yet seen, and has endless possibilities. It is not generally known that the illumination of rooms by electric light is a subject upon which expert opinion is of great value. Quite a different type of fitting should bo used in a room with a Jow ceiling from that employed where there is height. Again the spacing of lights is also a point upon which good advice is useful if even illumination is to be obtained. Many of the opal bowls now in use are actually wasteful, but bowls of this kind can be purchased which not only protect the eves from strong glare, but also distribute the light over a wide area. The fitting, which provides for the use of coloured fabric, is so constructed that part of the light is reflected and diffused by the ceiling, and part is transmitted through the coloured cloth with a very pleasing effect. Perhaps the best results are seen if figured cretonne is used, but practically any material makes a beautiful shade. An electrio light fitting of a novel type which was exhibited recently in London is said to give a beautiful lighting effect. It takes the form of a flat disc of crystal which lies close against the ceiling,, and is patterned with great butterflies. The light is enclosed in a small bowl of carved crystal which hangs from the middle of the disc. SUMMARY OF TENDERS CLOSING DURING PERIOD MAY 1 to 14.

Vickerman and Lancaster—Tenders supply (for Central Hawke’s Bay Electric Power Board sub-station), switch gear, etc. Close May 1. Atkins and Mitchell.—Tenders fitting of National Bank of New Zealand premises at Dannevirke. Close 1 p.m. May 1. Crichton, McKay, and Haughton.— Tenders for a residence, Maurice Terrace. Close noon May 1. Public Works Department.—Tenders supply of hardwood timber. Close May 7. Wangamii-Rangitikci Electric Power Board.—Tenders supply fittings electric light poles, etc., close May 12. Public Works Department.—Tenders supply rails and fish plates. Close noon May 13. '? Public Works Department.—Tenders supply pump and machinery, etc. Close noon, May 13. Public Works Department.—Tenders erection station buildings, cottages, etc., at Matiere. Close May 14.