: Published by PORTLAND CEMENT ASSOCIATION Concrete for Permanence * wee eA Book of (Beautiful Homes ERMANENT masonry construction has been rec- ognized for centuries as ideal for home building. In Euro- pean countries where masonry 1s used almost exclusively, houses which have given several hun- dred years’ service are quite common. Modern masonry, pos- sessing greater permanence andfire- resistance than that afforded by the construction methods and ma- terials of the past, is now available to the man of moderate means through the development of con- crete. Because of moderate first cost and freedom from upkeep ex- pense, concrete masonry offers a larger money’s worth and insures high resale value. Thousands of beautiful concrete masonry houses in almost every section of the country attest the popularity of this material for home building. Photographs and plans of forty such houses variable in size and architectural treatment are presented on the following pages. These have been designed by well known residence architects. In most instances blueprint plans and specifications for these houses can be obtained directly from the architects, who will gladly answer inquiries and make known their terms on request.. The houses shown on pages 26, 30, 31, 42, were built from plans and specifications in the Portland Cement Associa- tion’s plan service. Working draw- ings and specifications for these are obtainable at $5.00 per set. What is Concrete Masonry? Concrete block, concrete build- ing tile and concrete brick are em- ployed in concrete masonry con- struction. These are used in exte- rior walls from foundation footing to eaves, and where added fire pro- tection and rigidity are desired, are used for interior walls and parti- tions also. The two larger units are concrete block, the four smaller ones, concrete building tile. Standard concrete block have 8 by 16 inch faces, and are obtain- able in widths of 6, 8, 10 and 12 inches for convenience in building walls of different thicknesses. Ow- 4 A BOOK OF BEAUTIFUL HOMES ing to the large size of these units, one block being equivalent in vol- ume to 13 brick, walls can be built up very rapidly. Concrete building tile are smaller in size and are made with some- what lighter wall sections than block. They are regularly made with 5 by 12-inch face and in widths of 4,6, 8 and 12 inches. A stand- ard 5 by 8 by 12-inch tile is equiv- alent in volume to 6 brick. Both concrete block and con- crete building tile are molded with air cells or spaces which make them lighter in weight and, therefore, more easily handled, and also pro- vide insulation which retards pass- age of heat or cold. With the interior plaster furred out to pro- vide a continuous air space be- Concrete masonry walls provide an unyielding support for floors. Joist block hold floor joists vertical and rigid. tween wall and plaster according to usual practice, additional insula- tion 1s secured, the house kept dry and comfortable, and made re- markably economical in fuel re- quirements during the winter months, in addition to being cool in summer. Stron3, Rigid Walls American Concrete Institute standard specifications, adopted in many building codes, require that hollow concrete masonry. units, used in load bearing walls, with- stand a crushing load of 7oo pounds per square inch over their entire area. This means that one 8 by 8 by 16-inch concrete block is capable of sustaining at least g0,000 pounds, a strength from 20 to 30 times greater than the actual loading in residence construction. Concrete masonry units are de- signed to provide broad beds for mortar and when they are laid in portland cement mortar, always specified in the better class of work, a wall of unusual strength and stability results. Building the Walls Starting on a monolithic con- crete footing, the concrete masonry walls of the house are laid up rap- idly. ‘As the walls are built, the frames for doors and windows are set in place. Special jamb block partly enclose the frames, making absolutely weather-tight connec- tions between the frame and the wall. Where wood floors are spe- cified, special joist block are set in the wall at the floor level. These joist block, of which there are sey- eral types, permit the joists to enter the wall and rest on the course of masonry below. They also hold the joist vertical, provid- ing a rigid, level support for the floor. A BOOK OF BEAUTIFUL HOMES 5 Fireproof Floors Fireproof floors have always been in demand, not only because they give much desired fire protec- tion, but also because of the ad- vantages in cleanness, durability and comfort afforded by their use. The usual practice 1s to support the floor slabs on the inner half of the masonry wall. Veneer block are then placed on the outer edge, and a small continuous air space 1s left beween the veneer block and the slab. Concrete floors permit a great variety of surfacings. Hard- wood floors may be laid on sleepers partly embedded in the surface or the floors may be covered with attractive concrete floor tile set in cement mortar. The floor surface may be given the popular terrazzo finish or may be troweled smooth and then enameled or covered with linoleum or other composition flooring. Incombustible Roof Coverings Statistics show that a large per- centage of residential fires are due Concrete masonry lays up rapidly because of the large size of the units. Each block ts equivalent in volume to 13 brick. to combustible roof coverings. Two popular types of roof covering which are incombustible are avail- able in concrete roofing tile and cement asbestos shingles. Con- crete roofing tile are made in French, Spanish, and other styles and in a variety of colors, of which the various shades of red and green, blue, buff, silver gray and slate are the most popular. Each Attaching roof rafters is an easy operation for rafter plates can be fastened to the wall by bolts set in the masonry. individual tile is true to shape and accurate in dimensions and, there- fore, fits snugly at ridge, eaves and at joints. Concrete tile are not subject to warping or cracking due to temperature conditions. Spe- cial shapes are furnished for eave starters, gable starters and finish- ers, ridge roll and finials. Cement asbestos shingles are regularly made in both the French and American patterns and are available in a variety of colors to suit every taste. Like concrete roofing tile, they are permanent, fireproof and weather-tight. 6 A BOOK OF BEAUTIFUL HOMES Portland Cement Stucco Finishes As a base for portland cement stucco, concrete masonry has no equal. There is practically no limit to the range and variety of beautiful finishes which may be obtained with portland cement stucco. Reproductions of the beautiful English, Italian, French, Spanish and other distinctive pe- riod stuccos of the past are now available in textures and colors to harmonize with the architecture of the house. Variation in color is obtained by use of colored sands or stones or mineral coloring pig- ments, applied in a variety of single-tone and two-tone effects. Variation in texture 1s produced through the manipulation of the float, the brush, the trowel and Concrete roofing tile provide a permanent, weather tight, fire resistant roof covering. other tools in the hands of the stucco craftsman. The present tendency in stucco is toward spe- cial textures or approximate dupli- cations of period types of stucco. Some modern finishes are entirely Concrete masonry lends itself to all styles of archi- tecture. Covered with portland cement stucco an unlimited range of color and texture is available. original and as distinctive and beautiful as any of the older ones. The preceding paragraphs dis- cuss briefly some of the main fea- tures of concrete masonry con- struction. For more detailed in- formation write for free copy of the booklet “Concrete Masonry Con- struction.”’ A book devoted to portland cement stucco and show- ing panels of various textures 1s also available on request. Address your request to the nearest district office of Portland Cement Association cA National Organization to Improve and Extend the Uses of Concrete District Offices at Atlanta Des Moines Los Angeles Oklahoma City Salt Lake City | Birmingham Detroit Milwaukee Parkersburg San Francisco pees Indianapolis Minneapolis Philadelphia Seattle Sone O Jacksonville Nashville Pittsburgh St. Louis . Dallas er Kansas City New Orleans Portland, Oreg. Vancouver, B. C. Denver Lincoln, Nebr. New York Richmond, Va. Washington, D. C. A BOOK OF BEAUTIFUL HOMES he Concrete Masonry Residence at Chattanooga, Tenn. Chas. E. Bearden, Chattanooga, Tenn. Architect 34-4 10° 8" KITCHEN 13°6x9°G BED ROOM 10°6x13-3" DRESSING SUN ROOM 10-0x24-0" LIVING ROOM 19°0x31-0" — DINING ROOM + 13-Gx1¢-0" BED ROOM 13-6«19-6" BED ROOM 19-0x13-6" -——u A Modern American Texture in Portland Cement Stucco LIBRARY 17°0'x310" ‘LIVING ROOM 17°0%* 29-0" KITCHEN 10°OH2-0" DINING ROOM IFO Concrete Masonry Residence at Morristown, N. J. Emile G. Perrot, ) Philadelphia, Penna. . Architect BED ROOM 41°0%10-0" SEWING ROOM 10-0x11-0" BED ROOM SED ROOM 2 f 16-Cx16-0" 12-Ga-e | BED ROOM 14-0%14°0" A BOOK OF BEAUTIFUL HOMES 6 Concrete Masonry Residence at Denver, Colorado J. B. Warner, Denver, Colorado Architect gibi BED ROOM 10-9 9-4" LIVING ROOM 135112340" fe ay DINING ROOM 1141'x12"0" BED ROOM BED ROOM 12°3x12-0" 14°312-0" 10 {el PORCH A BOOK OF BEAUTIFUL HOMES LIVING ROOM 15°0x25°4" | DINING ROOM 15°0x14-G" ROOF BED ROOM 15°Ox12-6" BED ROOM 15S°0xZC" Concrete Masonry Residence at Fox Chase, Philadelphia, Penna. John B. Kane, Philadelphia, Penna. Architect A BOOK OF BEAUTIFUL HOMES 11 Ta noe rr regnaneecttet ee - KITCHEN E oa BREAKFAS 14°0x9°4" On NOOK < XA | Livine Room Ease os cI BS he rhe ts] x >, 13-024"4 < SO DINING ROOM Sox x 13°0«12"6" SMALL a) x oe An English Cottage Texture eee-O in Portland Cement Stucco BED ROOM Concrete Masonry Residence at 13-0940 : Lancaster, Penna. PS] Everts; ca (aes Lancaster, Penna. BED Room. [fh Architect why BED ROOM 13-0%12°0" i A BOOK OF BEAUTIFUL HOMES An Exposed Aggregate Texture in Portland Cement Stucco BED ROOM 144-4151 LIVING ROOM £4:02¢:0" KITCHEN 15°0x9°7" BREAKFAST BED ROOM SITTING ROOM 15*0«10-0" BED ROOM 13-413-9" cLosaT _—__} 40:0" | DINING ROOM_|ff 19-0115-9" —{f Concrete Masonry Residence at Easton, Penna. Paul R. Smith, Phillipsburg, N. J. Architect A BOOK OF BEAUTIFUL HOMES 13 ERROR RCIA Concrete Masonry Residence at Burbank, Calif. P. A. Farley, Burbank, Calif. Architect r | 42-0" 1 LAUNDRY 7°0'x1t0" BED ROOM 13°014-¢" KITCHEN 10-0°x11-0" cLoser DINING ROOM 16-0"x 13°0" BREAKFAST ROOM 9°0x11-0" BED ROOM 1Z015-O° BED ROOM _ 13*0*«1fe LIVING ROOM BED ROOM 13-0°x15-C 14 A BOOK OF BEAUTIFUL HOMES Concrete Masonry Residence at Salem, Mass. Ambrose Walker, Boston, Mass., Architect BED ROOM 15-0120 tl BED ROOM 11°0'12-2 | ee DINING ROOM on) 12-0x12-0 LIVING ROOM 16°4°12-2" BED ROOM 15°0'x12°0" " BED ROOM BED ROOM 1140'x12-2" 1207-0" DINING ROOM 12°0x12-0" LIVING ROOM 10-4 x122° A BOOK OF BEAUTIFUL HOMES 15 Concrete Masonry Residence at Cleveland, Ohio J. H. Gustav Steffens, Cleveland, Ohio Architect —S——————_ CANVAS DEC | K DINING ROOM a 16°4 «12410 BED ROOM {7°2X9-0" EE LIVING ROOM 24°4"x12'0" twfeces| Cros] cues] x i] fa BED ROOM 14°6x13-0" 16 A BOOK OF BEAUTIFUL HOMES Concrete Masonry Residence at Overbrook, Penna. Wm. Woodburn Potter, Philadelphia, Penna. Architect ! 0 in gq pat | — BED ROOM BED ROOM cLos. 15°0x13-0" 15°0x17°8° or et cLos cL. Tiel BED ROOM 16°0'x11-0" sock = eu PATH I _ DRESSING ROOM! |f- eee : 12-0x66 A” vown exe & TS] TERRACE | as == | eT) ‘ =a nas aa at —_ H | DINING PORCH ry | J PANTRY ALCOVE DINING ROOM . ee 15°0%17°0 re LIVING ROOM D 15°0'x266" ad __ 3 GARAGE <== i] KITCHEN sono = a— STUDY 2 a I | srg" 8 A Rates eal sp x ee A BOOK OF BEAUTIFUL HOMES Cae Concrete Masonry Residence at Narbeth, Penna. Walter K. Durham, Philadelphia, “Penna. Architect A French Brush Texture in ae Portland Cement Stucco BED ROOM 14°0x10-G" LIVING ROOM 14:0*«25°C" BED ROOM 16°C x12-C Concrete Masonry Residence at Marblehead, Mass. Edvin B. Balcomb & Co., Salem, Mass., Architects BED ROOM 11°0x9-0" BED ROOM 110x110" BED ROOM 13°0x15-0" BED ROOM 13-0%12-@' KITCHEN 16-0x9-@" LIVING ROOM, '' HALL 20-6x 24-0 DINING ROOM 14-0x15-O A BOOK OF BEAUTIFUL HOMES 19 Concrete Masonry Residence at Detroit, Mich. C. E. Reichle Co. Detroit, Mich. Architects A Californian Texture in Portland Cement Stucco BED RCOM 11-0x 8-0 TCHEN DINING, ROOM If} HecHEN 13°8x12-0" LIVING ROOM 19-2x15-G 20 A BOOK OF BEAUTIFUL HOMES » Concrete Masonry Residence at cArdmore Park, Penna. Walter K. Durham, Philadelphia, Penna. Architect MUKITCHEN, 14°6x8-6 i BREAKFAST H 7 ROOM itl 14°6%12°0 IH | 1 Hat) a LIVING ROOM SUNROOM 14-6 x 20-0 10-0x24-0 I] . i il DINING ROOM “ 14°6x14-0"" | | HALL_| i fh TH tt | TH BED ROOM 14-Gx15-O' BED, ROOM 14-6 *l1-@ BALCONY BALCONY BED ROOM petetintat BED ROOM 14°@12'-0" A BOOK OF BEAUTIFUL HOMES al Concrete Masonry Residence at Larchmont Hills, N. Y. E. D. Parmalee, New Rochelle, N. Y. Architect BED ROOM 13°0%{1:0" BED ROOM 17°@x12"0" DED ROOM 170x136" D | Olli pep 200M f CABINET | 8-6x12-0" LIVING ROOM 23°0x13-6" > A BOOK OF BEAUTIFUL HOMES H | 3 Concrete Masonry Residence at Durham, N. C. G. Murray Nelson Raleigh, N. C. Architect [BED ROOM FF | | i BED ROOM = DINING ROOM Ie 1042-0" 15-@*1210" Bare: x R OOF ay PORCH Qo} | 9) | F | | BED ROOM LIVING ROOM cacies | 16°4'x16 0" A BOOK OF BEAUTIFUL HOMES PORCH LIVING ROOM 23°0%14-0" KITCHEN |" I] | pining Room [OPO Uills Focaal ie i =_ iil aL | Lele PIT] Past fl He | HALL | CLOSET Concrete Masonry Residence at Chillicothe, Ohio. MORNING ROOM|f 13-6x8-0" ae) BED ROOM 15°0x14:0" BED ROOM I 12°Cx10-0" Miller & Reeves, Columbus, Ohio Architects +t— croak Room | LIVING ROOM 10°4*37°0" —- coR RIDOR KITCHEN 13-0164" DINING ROOM 20-0196" fen LIBRARY 25°Gx710 46-0" 22-6" BED ROOM 19'Gx12-0" BED ROOM 15°0'*13-0" BED ROOM 13°0%15-6" BED ROOM __ 1-0*9-5" BED ROOM WONG = scnspsatecexs wipe ED ROOM 18°4%16-0" BED ROOM 207°C" Residence at es, Calif. 1r, Architect geles, Calif. Damme cn eeeneneawnhee——————V7e3s a 26 A BOOK OF BEAUTIFUL HOMES | Concrete Masonry Residence at Narbeth, Penna. Boyd, Abel and Gugert, DINING ROOM 13-2°x11-9" Philadelphia, Penna. Architects LIVING ROOM 13-2* 20-8 An English Texture in Portland Cement Stucco BED ROOM at 13-282 BED ROOM 9-8x11'9" A BOOK OF BEAUTIFUL HOMES rap Concrete Masonry Residence at Ardmore, Penna. “Powell Construction Co., Ardmore, Penna. Architects An English Texture in Portland Cement Stucco [ GARAGE BED ROOM 13°Cx16°0" BED ROOM waesecee H. KITCHEN eae INCLOSED o%a22" y] Beso PORCH Poe ¢| Werk" pease po ° : 17'4x268 xs) a EL DINING ROOM BED ROOM : : 18-0X1G-C" | ae | 28 A BOOK OF BEAUTIFUL HOMES EONAR RN ARN OETA SESE a ae Concrete Masonry Residence at Springfield, Ohio Hall & Lethly, Springfield, Ohio, Architects To SUN ROOM COLD ROOM 1— ta 2 cLos q al il =| KITCHEN |f] oO BED ROOM ’ ‘oxo oot BATH 2, Sopa DINING ROOM Ys ang : ee oe 17101210 r=) 12-10x16'0" _ tos I w cu 5 LIVING ROOM Te oe BED ROOM A z: waneee = ETS | 19°4*266 cua? tke Blo. J HH] CLOS, |_Fo ey || ae ete STUDY | HALL BED ROOM | ag” i} 90x90" ‘ = 14-0x9-4" | 1 iL 1 | Feosky {| Wve | ire | | | | ) L. fe Rear of House y A BOOK OF BEAUTIFUL HOMES 29 Cencrete Masonry Residence at hanes Melrose, Mass. fe BATH eased 2 Robert L. Stevenson, 13°4x8-4" re = Boston, Mass. ae : 7 Architect ‘ HALL peer BED ROOM =) BALCONY 9636" BED ROOM 126%12-0 BALCONY DINING ROOM 12-0 1270" LIVING ROOM 22-6x12-4" An Italian Texture in Portland Cement Stucco 30 A BOOK OF BEAUTIFUL HOMES Concrete Masonry Residence at Wellesley, Mass. RR. C. Hunter and Bro., New York, N. Y. Architects BED ROOM Caw tte PORCH 12-3 x{1-0 BED ROOM 12° Sxi-C" 12°6%14-0" GARAGE 8°C18'0" LIVING ROOM 12°Cx21-@" DINING ROOM 12-@x13"@' SLEEPING 10°0x8'6" BED ROOM SUN PORCH 6617-9" | A BOOK OF BEAUTIFUL HOMES oie Concrete Masonry Residences at La Grange, IIl. House in the foreground DINING ROOM ne BOC for which plans are 10-Gx12-2 shown designed by Geo. H. Schwan, Architect Pittsburgh, Penna. LIVING ROOM 19°0"x{2-0" BED ROOM 11"010"0" BED ROOM 17°4x10-0 BED ROOM 14° 6310-0" Ae : ~ » A Colonial Texture in Portland Cement Stucco ‘ 32 A BOOK OF BEAUTIFUL HOMES Crutchfield & Gosnell, Concrete Masonry Residence at Chattanooga, Tenn. Architects Chattanooga, Tenn. BED ROOM IPOus H | ] DINING .ROOM = BATH . 15°0* 16-0" BED ROOM = oe ee ee BED ROOM 13-0150" fic oak 15-0%15-0" BED ROOM IS-O%15-1" BED ROOM 13-0150 LIVING ROOM 15°0°"19"@" A BOOK OF BEAUTIFUL HOMES Concrete Masonry Residence at LaGrange, Ill. Alfred F. Schimek, Chicago and Miami Architect BED ROOM 13-6x15-O" 26-8" BED ROOM LIVING ROOM 13°6x25-O" lols i. GARAGE DINING ROOM = zm| 10-0x19-0 12:Ox{4-0" PRESKeas ; KITCHEN 80x12" ! iP DOWN = A UTE. RANGE CASE PHONE ett 7 io Saletcee icLos BED ROOM HALL (@) 14:0 10: 0" “A French B rush Texture in Portland Cement Stucco $0) 34 A BOOK OF BEAUTIFUL HOMES _ KITCHEN 10°0x10-0" sss DINING ROOM 13-4" 13-0" PANTRY LIVING ROOM 13-6X24-0" BREAKFAST) ii ROOM BED ROOM 3°6*24-0" Concrete Masonry Residence at Syracuse, N. Y. Merton E. Granger, Syracuse, N. Y. Architect A BOOK OF BEAUTIFUL HOMES ee Concrete Masonry Developing Residence at An Coral Gables, Fla. Italian Martin L. Hampton, Texture in Miami, Fla. Portland Architect Cement E Stucco DED ROOM