50 



The Country House 



meet it. A 2 x 6 timber is then nailed across the top and another laid upon it, 

 breaking joints at the corners; this forms the plate. As is often the case, the 

 attic floor timbers are laid on the plate, although the "ledger board" can be used 

 if a higher story is desired. 



After the rough skeleton has been erected, and prior to boarding in, the "long 



braces" are set in 

 place and securely 

 spiked to all points 

 of bearing. They 

 are of 2-inch stock, 

 let into the outside 

 of the frame, and 

 are made as long as 

 possible. The ex- 

 ample shown is a 

 common and awk- 

 ward corner in 

 which the simple 



l\* ft? form of bracing is 



utterly out or the 

 question. If the 

 window "a" were 

 not there the straight 

 brace could be used 

 as shown by "b." 

 As it is, the other 



example of clean and healthy design. lir'icc f'l'olll the DOSt 

 us add to the effectiveness of the long 



to the plate is neces- 

 sary. The joint at 



"c" is halved and consequently weakens the brace; it should be reinforced by 

 a 2-inch strip at the back. The cleats "d" are used to keep the brace from 

 slipping. The latter is not framed in at the ends. 



It will be noticed that the head and sill studs, like the upright window 

 studs, are made up (securely nailed together). This method, if properly car- 

 ried out, is strong, effective and economical inasmuch as it often uses up short 

 pieces of studding that are too long for bridging. 



The balloon frame, however, has its limitations. Window and door openings 

 should come over one another, otherwise the framing becomes much weakened and 

 complicated. The fact that a window is omitted in the motive does not matter. 

 If the window "a" were omitted, the double studding need not of necessity 

 run to the height of the plate. The ordinary stud is merely reinforced up to 

 the false girt. This is one of the advantages of the made-up window stud. 



Prior to boarding in it is necessary to see that the false girt and plate are 

 straight and true. The balloon frame at this stage is apt to be very shaky, 

 having no heavy girts to keep the wall in line. This straightening process is 

 effected by diagonal braces laid flat on the second and third floor timbers or up- 



" Maxwell Court," Rockville, Conn. An excellent 

 The low hip roof is decked to reduce the height, and th 

 lines. Charles A. Platt, architect 



