DOUBLE-UNIT HOUSE 131 



When the house is completed, a concrete floor should be laid, 

 and should consist of three or four distinct layers. First, a layer 

 of about six to ten inches of cinders or coarse gravel, tamped 

 thoroughly. This serves for drainage purposes to keep the soil 

 moisture away from the bottom of the floor. Next, a rough coat 

 of concrete about four inches thick, and over this a finished coat 

 of two parts of sand with one of cement, trowelled smooth. 



Where there is danger of much moisture coming up from below, 

 it is advisable to put a layer of tarred building paper between the 

 rough and finish coats of cement. It should be nailed down with 



FIG. 85. Double-unit house completed. Note the combination door and window, 

 and the arrangement of openings for light and ventilation. 



flat-headed nails; the heads of the latter should be left sticking 

 out about one-quarter of an inch to hold the top coat of cement. 



Such a floor is moisture proof and vermin proof, and is easily 

 and quickly cleaned. 



The completed house is shown in figure 85. 



Materials. In the following list of materials required for 

 building a double unit, as shown in the working drawings given in 

 figure 83, the prices quoted are only approximate: 



LUMBER: Sills 6 ps. 4" x 6" x 20' 



Plates 8 ps. 2" x 4" x 20' 



Posts 2 ps. 4* x 4" x 14' 



2 ps. 4" x 4" x 18' 

 Studding 9 ps. 2" x 4" x 18' 



4 ps. 2" x 4" x 14' 



Rafters 22 ps. 2" x 4" x 22' 



Frame for nests and dropping boards 5 ps. 2" x 3" x 16' hemlock. 



Roof, dropping boards, walls, and nests, 8-inch tongue-and- 



groove boards 2,200 sq. ft. 



Curtain frames and trim, 1" x 2" white pine 200 linear feet 



