Building A House That Is Right For You

Not everybody drives a Cadillac or a Rolls-Royce;beautiful panels at a reasonable price. So, if you can't
many people drive Fords and Chevrolets.plaster, get something better for the same money.
To be satisfactory, a house does not necessarilyA room with panelled walls will probably look better
have to be of the very best and most expensivewith a ceiling of wallboard, properly painted in a light
construction in every way.color.
It must have a good substantial foundation and aOr you may wish to reverse the usual practice by
weatherproof roof.putting wood panels with exposed beams on the
Few economies are possible in these two features.ceiling, and plasterboard on the walls. Either way, the
There are less expensive ways, however, of doingeffect can be very enchanting, if carefully done.
many things in building a house. Here is an example.Framing lumber comes in five grades.
If a person is doing his own work and doesn't knowIn the West these are, in order of quality beginning
how to plaster, he could put up wallboard or plasterwith the best: select structural, construction, standard
board satisfactorily and get a good house, even whileand better, utility and economy. In some places these
admitting that plaster is better.grades are known as: select structural, No. 1
Many of the subdivisions, even the rather good ones,common, No. 2 common, No. 3 common, and cull.
use dry wall construction with plasterboard, becauseWhile the joists and rafters should be of a good
it is quicker to do and perhaps less expensive.grade, at least standard or No. 2 common, there is no
For the man building his own house, it is usually easierreason why the lower grade, utility or No. 3 common
to do, it costs less money, and it is not nearly soshould not be used for studding, sheathing,
messy as plaster. It is hard to clean up plaster, and itsub-flooring, and various nailing blocks.
always seems to get where you do not want it.Flooring is made in several grades.
A job much more charming than plaster might beIt is not necessary to use the most expensive; in
possible by the use of plywood panels, which are notfact, you will get a more interesting floor using No. 1
very expensive and, if properly selected, make acommon than you will using either clear or select oak
beautiful wall.flooring.
Notwithstanding it takes a little time and careful workIf you build a house within your own financial limits
to match them and put them up artistically, the resultyou will be a lot happier than if you try and spend
will well repay the effort.too much and put yourself in a perilous financial
Many different kinds of wood are available: fir, ash,position.
birch, Philippine mahogany, walnut, and many rareIf you use a mortgage calculator it will help you
woods.budget your new home.
These vary greatly in price, but often one can find