CHAPTER IX 

 BUILDING MATERIALS 



Materials used in the construction of buildings vary with 

 time and locality. Climatic conditions, the nearest supply, 

 relative cost, and the class of labor available are consider- 

 ations in all cases. Modern developments such as prepared 

 roofings, insulating materials, and special forms of tile and 

 concrete are evidence of a change from the practices of the 

 pioneer. A detailed discussion of all the materials used 

 in building construction would be too extended for this 

 chapter, and where the importance of an item warrants it 

 discussion has been given in a preceding chapter. Wood 

 and concrete are each treated separately. 



VALUE OF VARIOUS MATERIALS 



Stone. At one time stone was considered the best 

 material for foundations, and it is still used extensively 

 for that purpose in sections of the country where the supply 

 is near at hand, abundant, and, in consequence, cheap. 

 Common or rubble stone set together with mortar is the 

 usual practice for either walls or foundations in rural com- 

 munities. Because of the cost, cut stone is seldom used 

 except for three or four courses above the grade line. 



Brick and tile. There are many grades of brick, the 

 quality depending on composition and process of manu- 

 facture. Sizes are not standardized, but range from 2 " X 3 A" 

 X7K" to 2K"X4K' , X9' / . Brick may be made of clay, 

 clay and sand, sand and lime, or sand and cement, mixed 

 with water, pressed into shape, and cured. The ordinary 

 clay brick is frequently called the mud brick. While it is 

 the cheapest, it is likely to be irregular in size and shape. 

 A pressed brick, or hydraulic pressed brick, made of any of 



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