Details of Finish 



75 



regardless of the face, made straight and true, so that the finished mortar joints 

 shall come in one vertical plane. 



Random ashlar consists of blocks of varying size laid without regard to 

 courses. The best results are obtained in limiting any continuous horizontal run 

 of joints to 6 feet; less than this is better. 



Where the stone used is not so expensive as to be a mere shell, a most 

 effective joint is obtained by making the back wedge-shaped, so as to tie 

 in with the rough wall (see Fig. 9). This wedge should not be pointed enough 

 to break off. 



Coursed ashlar explains itself; the courses may be of the same height or 

 not, and the stones of uniform or varying sizes. For the most severe styles 

 uniform stones and courses are generally used. 



Ashlar has either a rough or "quarry" face, or a "dressed" face. Owing 

 to the fact that ashlar does not extend through the wall so as to bond the 

 whole together, it is secured to the backing by means of anchor irons. Four- 

 inch ashlar should have an anchor in every stone; thicker ashlar should be 

 anchored about once in every running 3 feet and every 2 feet in height. Belt 

 courses, cornice stones and top courses should have an anchor in each stone, 

 and in extreme cases two. 



Coping stones on gables should be anchored securely to the wall to prevent 

 their sliding. The kneelers or corbels which receive the thrust can take care of 

 themselves, but hardly more. It is best that they be anchored too. Sometimes an 

 intermediary stone is introduced in the pitch to lessen the weight of the coping thrust. 

 This is effective, and oftentimes a most artistic arrangement (see "b," Fig. 10). 

 This, however, is not absolutely necessary as the anchoring will be sufficient. 



The junction of the piazza with the house should in all cases be made tight 

 and solid and be well flashed to avoid leakage. 



The foundation of piazzas should be 

 brick or stone, carried well below frost, and 

 of sufficient bulk to avoid any chance of settle- 

 ment. Nothing looks worse than the settled 

 piazza, which has the appearance of being 

 ready to slide off into the ground. This is a 

 common fault, due largely to the insufficient 

 size of the pier footings. 



The piazza floor should be of matched 

 ij Georgia pir^e, blind nailed. It should 

 pitch outward J inch to the foot and be laid 

 in the direction of the pitch, with ample 

 facilities for free drainage. 



The sills should be painted all over with 

 a generous priming coat before being enclosed. 

 This and a coat of tar on the top edge 

 will preserve the member from premature 

 decay. The butts are particularly susceptible, owing to their porous nature. 



The foot of all columns should be tarred or set in elastic cement. 



a " tfitcftor-iron 

 3> Jfnteler 



Fig. 10. A portion of a brick or stone gable showing 

 the anchoring of coping stones 



