REDUCING COSTS

Evening Star, Issue 22272, 25 February 1936, Page 2

REDUCING COSTS

NEW CONSTRUCTION METHODS Although at the present time in New Zealand building bricks are in demand, -it is interesting to note that in the United States ot America brick makers have not only had to ■ weather the years of depression but are • also seriously menaced by the many new buildings materials that have entered the market on a competitive basis during recent years. Recently the Brick Manufacturers’ Association of America completed arrangements to combat a slide from seven billion common bricks in 1927 to considerably under a billion bricks in 1934 by inaugurating an extensive campaign to prove that brick construction is not expensive taking maintenance costs into consideration, by tho development of a new reinforced method of construction. This new method' of brick construction is, simply to reduce .the thickness of the brick walls and add a timber reinforcement of framework. Other methods that are being introduced utilise steel reinforcements. It is claimed that brick and timber house construction gave a greater flexibility in design, and that, by using stock sized timbers, the cost is about the same as from other building materials such as reinforced concrete. The upkeep cost is said to be limited to such items as roofs, windows, and doors.