READERS’ INQUIRIES

Evening Star, Issue 21620, 16 January 1934, Page 2

READERS’ INQUIRIES

BRICK OR CONCRETE? “ Flat-house ” writes: Enclosed herewith please find rough sketch of a proposed dwelling. Though the site is not yet decided upon, it will proba'oly be a sloping section, with sufficient grade to allow for garage and laundry to bo on a lower floor at the front. Would you be good enough to give the approximate figure for building this residence in brick? Also, is there any advantage in building in concrete rather than brick, and would the cost be greater if the former material is used? [To erect a brick house on the lines indicated by enclosed sketch plan (lettering too small for reproduction on this page) it would cost approximately £625 provided only very plain materials were used. If the house were built in concrete “ Flat-house ” would have to face two alternatives. He would either have to build the outer walls in 6in concrete and plaster them on the outside, or erect Avails of the liolloav concrete type. Either scheme Avoiild cost approximately £BO more than the-estimate,given for brick. The sketch forwarded by “ Flathouse ” shows ,a living room (20tt ,x 14 feet), bedroom (13ft x 9ft), hall (Bft x 6ft)V bathroom (Bft x sft), kitchenette (Bft x Bft), dining recess (Bft x 7ft), and loggia (19ft x 7ft). For my inquirer’s information i Avould like to point out that the position allotted the lavatory (in the bathroom immediately leading off the living room) Avould not be permitted under the Health /Department’s regulations. “ Cornice ” is also taking the liberty of commenting on the plan,which does not appear practicable, and Avhich would not be found satisfactory if put into effect. For instance, five doors open info the “ big ” - living room, and, although the fireplace is constructed as an ingle nook, the latter is. situated in the direct line of draught bctiveen window's and doors. The room, therefore, Avould not be at all warm and comfortable to sit in. “Cornice ” would strongly' advise “Flat-house’’ to consult a'registered architect'or a reliable builder before deciding to build. He will be under no obligation to seek expert adA-ice.] A CREAM WASH. ; ■"“'Base ’’ writes“ 1 would be pleased if you tvould advise me how to mix a cream Avash suitable for colouring a. rough-cast concrete base of a house. What quantity Avould be required, the base being 16yds by 12yds (3ft high).?”- i- '■ ,

[Use ordinary lime wash as follow*: — For every 31b of rock shell-lime add -lib of coarse salt. Colour, to the desired tint ; with yellow ochre .when .wash is cooler.: - To prevent the ochre from going lumpy break down first with water. Wnen breaking down the lime no time should be lost if the wash is to be a success. About half a bag of shell lime and 2olb of salt would be ample to do the job.],.