Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
BOOKS
is
of which Making a Fireplace is one, a complete library of authoritative and well illustrated handbooks dealing with the activities of the home-maker and
series of little volumes,
ITthis
make
Text, pictures and diagrams each respective book, aim to make perfectly clear the possibility of having, and the means of having, some of the more important features of
amateur gardener.
will, in
a modern country or suburban home. Among the already issued or planned for early publication are the following: Making a Rose Garden; Making a Lawn; Making a Tennis Court;
titles
Making a Water Garden; Making Paths and Driveways; Making a Poultry House; Making a Garden with Hotbed and Coldframe; Making Builtin Furniture; Making a Rock Garden; Making a Garden to Bloom this Year; Making a Garden of Perennials; Making the Grounds Attractive with Shrubbery; Making a Bulb Garden, Making a Garage, Making and Furnishing Outdoor Rooms and Porches; with others to be announced later.
MAKING
By
FIREPLACE
HENRY
H.
SAYLOR
AUTHOR OF
BUNGALOWS, MAKING A ROSE GARDEN, BTC.
$3
Copyright,
1913,
by
McBuiDE, NAST
& Co,
CONTENTS
PAGE
INTRODUCTION
CONSTRUCTION
....
22
25
....
31
FIREPLACE ACCESSORIES
....
36
45
256990
THE ILLUSTRATIONS
THE FIREPLACE OF LONG AGO
Frontispiece
PACING PAGE
AN
A MODERN
CONTRASTING TILES
....
.
4
22
AN INGLENOOK
26
AN INFORMAL
STONE
FIREPLACE
IN
FIELD
SO
THE MODERN COLONIAL TYPE WITH BRICK FACING AND WHITE WOOD MANTEL
38
A
A
46
ROUGH PLASTER
50
INTRODUCTION
no particular need for dwelling at length on the
In a book of this kind there
is
desirability of
will
having a
fireplace.
That
enough
It
is
home can
name
There
wood
fire
influence
upon those who eagerly gather about it. The smoldering glow of the
induces
logs
calm
all
mood
that banishes
work and
gives
The open
forts that
fire,
we demand
modern home,
Making
'
'd
Fireplace
itself.
At
first,
was as a necessity and the development from that to a luxury has been an exceedingly slow one extending
over the years down to the present time.
fire
We
open fireplace designed for wood and the basket grate in which to burn coal, preferably cannel coal.
is
not
the scarcity of
coal
wood
com-
the
more
monly used
haps be
open
fuel.
per-
hesitancy in
choosing the
the
fireplace
rather
than
basket
Introduction
grate
will
the problem.
Of course there
is
no ex-
home
may
may
be in-
damaging the
fireplace to
latter's
power of
draft.
In
in-
teresting possibility.
However
desirability
fully
is
4
matter
Making
of
a Fireplace
chance.
Too
many
home-
hope that the matter was then practically a mere matter of time until they closed
fire's
cheerful
Too
a disappointment when the first few trials introduced into the room more smoke than
heat or cheer.
that there
is
this
is
frequently ignored
absolutely by an over-confident and stupid mason. Where the work of building the
to
an architect's
hands with,
he
is
trous results.
One of the best forms of the basket grate in brass. The splayed sides send out more heat
A modern English fire corner. Facing and hearth have been worked out in a rather startling contrast of tiles
Introduction
would resent most strongly any insinuation as to his lack of knowledge regarding
fireplace construction.
almost as general
a rule that he
feels
method
is
In view of this
might be
well for
any
man
building his
own home
to give some
de-
their construction
throughout so that there is no chance for a blunder ; and this chance is not so slight
as might be
supposed.
In a house in
which
the
shown
sible
Making
a Fireplace
in reversed
son's part,
it
and
The matter of
a complicated
will
construction
is
not at
all
affair, as the
next chapter
aim to show.
CONSTRUCTION
rilHE
chief difficulty in attaining a suc-
an abundant draft.
In fact
draw
the flue
is
unobstructed.
There
never be
moment
is,
the
fire is
lighted.
This
in a
cavernous
upon the blaze the more they blistered their toes and at the same time
For
it is
evident that
Making
a Fireplace
up
its
the chim-
place must
The
result
is
mighty draft that rushes past those unfortunate enough to be sitting about the
fire
and
carries rapidly
up the chimney
almost
all
In the fireplace of our Colonial ancestors probably ninety per cent, of the
lost,
being carried up
We
want a
these days
one that
burn with a
most of
of the
its heat,
fire
chamber
out into
the room.
Such a
a large one.
It
is
Construction
universally the
"
fireplaces
burn
just
full
cord wood."
this
is.
hard to
see
why
It
if
may
is
be based on
is
a small fireplace
more
so.
This
fire-
place
find
it
hard
to
dispel.
There
fireplace in
would in such a place be ridiculous, but when we come to our year-round livingroom or dining-room or den, where the
walls of the
room are tight and the whole atmosphere quieter and more restrained,
a large fireplace would be distinctly a
disturbing element.
Such a room as
this,
sufficient
io
Making
a Fireplace
and section through the fireplace The broad cross-hatching reprechimney. sents brickwork
Construction
slab cabin or log
therefore,
From such a fireplace it is possible to get a maximum of heat with a minimum of draft.
There are two
vital
principles
that
One of
size
these
is
tween the
room
cross-section
which
inci-
out
its
extent
should be one-tenth of
The second
troduction of what are known as a " smoke shelf " and a " smoke chamber."
fireplace
12
Making
a Fireplace
will
appear more
This
is
warm
air cur-
ing between
the
fire
smoke chamber) and at once induces a down-draft of cold air. If the back of
the fireplace were on the same continuous
this
downward current of
cold air
fire
itself
The
pre-
it will
The
sectional
diagram
clear
make
quite
the
companying
perspective
outline
sketch
Construction
extend across the full width of the
13
fire
chamber.
This
width
in
the
smoke
in rising
own
The
iron
sectional
damper
contributes nothing
fire itself.
Its one
great advantage
is
that
by furnishing the
mason with an unalterable form, it forces him to build the throat properly rather
than in one of the wrong ways that his
dictate.
Such a
damper
also
forms a support
ing if bricks are used. If the damper is not built in, it is necessary to use an iron supporting bar to carry this flat arch.
Then
there
damper
is
not used,
lost the
Perspective view of the fireplace, showing the shape of the various parts as built without a
cast-iron throat
damper
Construction
15
which
is
a ventilator.
is
be well to lay
an iron plate on the smoke shelf in such a way that it could be drawn forward
across the opening to close
it.
There are other types of dampers, most of them patented and all of them aiming
to provide an adjustable opening in the
however,
it is
The
terra
is
Making a
necessary,
Fireplace
diagram
course,
is
shown
in the sectional
not abit
is
solutely
of
as
a rather modern introduction and unnumbered fireplaces have served their purpose
without
it.
There
its
is
no question, however,
it
regarding
worth, for
provides a flue
will
not
so
readily
as
it
an ordinary
has the ad-
Besides that,
dangerous to build
a chimney with a single four-inch thickness of brick between the flue and whatever
may
Of course
in
any
of
'event,
brick,
there
is
always
from
joint
and
it
through which
leave
an
Construction
ter for sparks or flame to
17
do considerable
lin-
damage.
The
introduction of a flue
chimney built
in this
way makes
carefully
it
ce-
ment mortar.
The
sectional diagram,
it will
be noticeid,
indicates
back.
this separation is
always laid
first
as simply as possible,
its
leaving the
fire
chamber with
sloping
filled
back and
sides
grade of brick or
Frequently, also,
as a hearth or facing.
Making
a Fireplace
cross-sf-ction showing the construction of a large stone fireplace with slightly arched opening
Construction
19
is
A
is
usually ob-
tained as
by bringing what
or " trimmer "
out
at
the
upon
While
the
desired width
this is the
casionally a support
secured in some
up
throwing an arch across between these. Upon a bed of cement the hearth
bricks themselves are laid, usually flush
and
with
the
floor,
although
occasionally
enough
and
more
closely.
hearth
itself is
2O
Making a
Fireplace
The width of
made about
the hearth
is
ordinarily
more
made considerably
will
larger.
The
question
The chimney
least a foot or
should extend at
ridge
and
it
cowl, whirligig or
There
is
no great ob-
throughout
its
its
way down
Construction
storm.
21
is
bend in the
it
prevent
this,
may
all
four sides
ney and fireplace should be laid in firstclass cement mortar which consists of one
part Portland cement to three parts clean,
sharp sand.
used in
it is
all
cinity of heat.
of
It
possible to
make a
fireplace of this
it is
by no
this result
can be ac-
first trial
all conditions.
large radius.
mitted to
the danger of
Miscellaneous
Odd Forms
23
room at
There
is
the double
fire-
place,
between
in
of the openings.
The throat
will in this
it.
It
is
is
even more
the middle
rarely seen
the open
fire in
of a room, such as
may
be desired occa-
room of a large
24
club.
Making
a Fireplace
or concrete.
effective
It
is
conceivable that
fire-
an
and hood of wrought iron or copper, suspended and steadied by chains or bars
from the
ceiling
hood multiplied by the distance above the hearth) and crosstire perimeter of the
and here
also it
of disturbing drafts.
THERE
is
not
particularly
wide
Stone,
although with
all
of
these
wish.
we have
Stone
is
ronments
the
informal
shack
it
or
is
log
im-
fast rule
in the matter.
Brick
is
it is
Perhaps
and grandfathers, or perhaps it is the inherent worth and fitness of the material
35
a6
itself
Making
that
a Fireplace
it
puts
forward as
first
choice.
Concrete
is
a newcomer in the
field
of
fireplace facing
and
as yet
it
cannot be
said to have
why
als.
it
With
an open
fire
of
wood there
is
no likelihood
if the
ma-
plied,
although there seems to be a vague impression that this might be a real danger.
The
it
is
no
one
the
mak-
Caen stone or its clever representation in cement serves well for the more formal type of mantel and
facing
27
fitness
the last
gives
more latitude
than any of
latitude
much
we
feel.
but
tile
use.
no question
tiles
Since this
little
its
sub-
no doubt
28
Making
a Fireplace
be written.
To
touch upon
recommend that
in other
latitude in design
and expense to
distin-
hall, liv-
worked
itself.
Colonial lines
along good
easily obtained.
29
plaster or half-timber
design
many
With
heavy log,
30
and
Making a
resting
is
Fireplace
projecting
stone
on
two
brackets,
effect.
The
chimney
breast
may
be
left
Many
simple varia-
with
the
informal brick
chimney
In gen-
is
and for
fireplace and chimney breast of field stone, chosen with care and laid 'with more than average
skill
well
fire-
will
man who
has a fireplace
it is
Frequently
pos-
trouble to
been
improperly
If
one has
in
mind a
mentary principles of
tion
it will
determine
reason
to draw.
why
fireplace
smokes or
fails
The
likely
is
common
diffi-
culty.
Usually
narrow
32
some
If,
Making
form
a Fireplace
be
may
the
above
the
shelf.
therefore,
apparent
of
essentials
such
as
shape
opening,
narrow
throat across the whole width, and preferably the slanting back
have been
fol-
lowed out
it
To do
this it
chimney and, by lowering a weight on a line, find which flue leads to the fireplace
in question.
all
probability be
area throughout.
it
may
sometimes
and
way
This conclusion
chimney may be built with eight-inch walls or it may be simply a four-inch wall with
Mending Poor
the flue lining.
Fireplaces
33
To
laid
way
in
which
up
flue.
many
cases be
latter
is
The
easiest
way
difficulty naturally
would be to decrease
nosis, however, it
would be well to
to
fit
pair
of
thin
boards
wedge
fairly
ing
may
using two
By
way
be readily de-
34
Making
a Fireplace
termined by what amount the opening must be decreased. The boards then be-
iron or copper
to the front.
It
is
may
be fitted permanently
area are
it
may
be
is
place without disturbing anything outside, such as the mantel or chimney breast,
unless the fireplace
If
it is
not,
it will
be
examine carefully the thickness of the wall at the back of the fireplace and
is
if this
sufficient,
part of
it
could be
Mending Poor
joins
Fireplaces
35
about a foot
moved
this is usually
merely nailed to
the plaster
breast taken
down
FIREPLACE ACCESSORIES
TUST
"
fixin's,"
as
a
for
turkey
its
dinner
depends
the
largely
success
is
upon
so the fireplace
its
in itself in-
complete without
To
ble appurtenances,
irons
times
why
There are so few things which combine to such a degree the purely utilitarian with
the eminently decorative qualities.
Most
quality.
Take man's
36
Fireplace Accessories
37
up
its
mounted
his horse.
pan
still
has
long
since
been
displaced
by gas
few
How
all,
still
meet
Some support
is
may
find
it
a clear pas-
to the flames,
38
Making
a Fireplace
the purpose better than the pair of horizontal wrought bars, each with
its single
its
One
is
opening with
;
surrounding
white woodwork
the
rougher wrought-
home
in the
many
of them are
still
One
of these confided to
me
his
11
If
Fireplace Accessories
39
way of distinguishing the really old andirons from artificially aged reproductions
:
front post held in place by a wroughtiron bar that attaches to the horizontal
member by a scr,ew thread on the bar itself on the modern examples this upright
;
bar
is
which an ordinary short screw engages through a hole in the horizontal member.
in
importance
and
There
if
they are
are
of
wrought
There
are
two
the orways of taking care of them dinary method of using a stand which, if the tools are bought together, will prob-
40
Making
a Fireplace
breast
is
of brick,
hooks
is
the tools
ney breast at the side of the opening. A brush for the hearth, although not
so frequently seen,
in
is
exceedingly useful
bers.
Then
there
is
the
time-honored
bellows,
into action.
A
with
for
merely
decorative
accessories,
fire
or
damage that
is
so
Fireplace Accessories
quickly
41
caused
by
is
sparks.
The usual
type of screen
several
forms.
is
venient type
ber of
flat sections
In
another
made up
of glass in combina-
There
is
the
for
the
employment of the
combining with plain
craftsman's
skill in
way of
and metals.
The design of a
fire
screen depends, of
42
Making
If
it is
a Fireplace
it is
intended to
that will cut off the heat but not the light
of the
fire,
On
the other
hand,
it
may
and heat.
of spark screens.
wood
receptacle of some
form
is
up from
the cel-
from
which
choose
brass-bound
boxes of
many
sizes
Fireplace Accessories
these rather bulky receptacles, but
find
it
43 who
perhaps as a part of built-in bookcases. Two or three houses that I have known
had a very simple rough dumbwaiter running from the cellar up into a windowseat.
This
could
be loaded
with
fuel,
fireplace accesso-
The crane
fireit
place that
comfortably, but it does seem unfortunate that in a great many fireplaces the
crane
ing
it
is
dragged
of mak-
to practi-
44
cal
use.
Making
There
a Fireplace
are
fireplaces
in
a
a
where
Used
The
use in
trivet
is
quently.
found
in vari-
of which show,
is
to
There are some rather interesting an-> tique brass trivets to be found in many
of the larger antique shops.
found their way thus far through this little book will feel like closing it with a sigh
of impatience at the sight of the chapter " Who doesn't know how heading above.
to build a
might as well seek instruction as to the most approved method of striking a match " But if
fire?
!
wood
We
moment I you would say most emphatically that as a matter of fact very few people really do
will
bear with
me
for a
know how
to build
fire.
It
is
easy
possible to start a
fire,
but perhaps
you have noticed that while many fires are kindled few burn out. If you are
45
46
Making
a Fireplace
seeking for the greatest amount of comfort and enjoyment from your
wood
fire
you
will
secure
it
perience, or perhaps
perimenting a bit
fire's
While
there
are
those
way of who
would not for worlds give up the pleasure of tinkering with the tongs and poker
while the
fire
burns,
it
will
perhaps not
if
the tin-
kering
is
mending is when it is not imposed upon us by becoming an alternative to having the glowing
First of
all,
there
is
c
ft
II c P
47
is
really dry.
It
not es-
but
it
it
and on three
The woodsheds of
of the problem.
New England
cal
and
efficient solution
Usually you
an exten-
wood
is
piled
Two
To
lay a
fire
on the hearth,
select first
48
Making
a Fireplace
fire
chamber on
This
will
the
traditional
"backlog."
is
It
intended
Stand
the
andirons
with
their
showing the arrangement of andirons fire (at the left) and a smaller one
Section
rear ends close up against the backlog, and if the latter is of the best size its
top
will
of the andirons.
Now
not
a
select
split
a smaller
piece
log
preferably
it
and lay
If a big
49
the " fore-
desired, keep
this log
"
log
back of
The
distance
of the
fire.
split pieces, as
may
the space.
The
diagrams
make
fire
or a large one.
fire
As
away,
burns
keep
it,
the
forelog
pushed
back
de-
against
sired.
fire is
It
well to
will
together probably
three will do
still
will,
and a pyramid of
better.
Many
fireplaces
show a tendency to
jjo
Making
a Fireplace
;
smoke only when first lighted this is probably due to a cold chimney, and can usually be prevented or
made
less objection-
able
up and down
drafts.
If
it
is
fuel there is
most interesting phases of the whole subTo most people probably a wood ject.
fire is
a wood
fire,
For
the
wood
fire
connoisseur, if
is
we may
no
call
difficulty
glance
burned.
at
the
just
what wood
is
The
ture of hickory,
the
hiss
of pine, the
Building
the,
Ehe
>,
,,
5.1
steady and thordiigh combustion of soft apple wood soon become familiar characteristics
to those
who have
fire
the oppor-
in variety.
Then
most spectacular of
all
but unfortunately
in
the
management of a wood
its
is
fire
foun-
dation.
who
both ways to
It unquestion-
fire's efficiency in
throw-
ing heat out into the roon it halves the care and attention needed to keep the fire
burning, and
it
the beauty of a
wood
fire,
when
it is
near-
ing
its
end,
by rekindling
itself
with the
5?,
Making
a Fireplace
alive for a
long time
housekeeper and
pricks
of
steel
the
conscience of cleanliness.
bed of ashes.
You can
scarcely get
it
too
The accumulation of
One of
two years
is
a priceless treasure.
my own
make
fire.
A
is
white powder
To
its
fire
and knows
such a
possibilities
the mention of
is
thing as an ash-drop
bull.
as a red flag to a
who invented
method of robbing
charm.
May
he be
forgiven
it.
fe
i5
o s
r
c.
vi
U.C.BERKELEY LIBRARIES
CDM713DS7b