House and Garden 
Fi g ure 19 A GARAGE, THE WALLS BUILT OE TERRA-COTTA BLOCK 
imagined, and, in fact, is so little in excess 
of the non-fireproof type as to make the use 
of fireproof construction a possibility for all 
intending to build. 
In several instances, the writer has ob¬ 
tained bids on buildings designed in wood 
construction, and also in reinforced concrete 
fireproof construction. The actual differ¬ 
ence in the cost of the fireproof over the 
wood construction of a cottage forming one 
of a group of buildings of an institution, 
costing in the neighborhood of $16,000, was 
onlv 14 per cent. This, however, did not 
include a fireproof roof, although the interior 
partitions and ceiling under the roof were 
fireproofed. 
In another instance, a building costing 
$20,000, in which every part was fireproofed, 
including the ceiling, partitions, roofs and 
stairs, cost only about 22 per cent, more than 
the same building of the usual construction. 
I bis is a very small amount compared with 
the actual gain in durability, protection from 
tire, etc. 
Further, a building of fireproof construction 
is immune to disfiguring cracks in the plaster¬ 
ing so prevalent from the shrinkage in wood 
construction. I bis advantage is of consider¬ 
able moment if the decorations in a house 
are of any permanent character, for they would 
he seriously damaged by the cracking of the 
plaster. 
It would seem, therefore, taking all things 
into consideration, that, for medium-priced 
houses, not to mention the more expensive 
ones, the extra expense involved in making 
the construction fireproof would more than 
pay for itself in advantages gained. 
The illustration, Figure 22 (page 153), 
shows a small building, in connection with 
an institution, which was made fireproof by 
using" reinforced concrete in the floors and 
solid plaster partitions; the roof, however, is 
of the usual wood construction, covered with 
slate. In this case, the building is used for 
an infirmary and it was deemed that the 
protection afforded from fire more than 
outweighed the additional expense, which, 
as before stated, was 14 per cent, more than 
the wood construction. 
From present indications, it would appear 
that the time is not far distant when wood 
will be eliminated from the construction and 
finish of our better grade of houses, and 
methods of construction and finish employed 
which will make the buildings not only fire¬ 
proof, hut much more solid, and hygienic in 
every respect. 
162 
