Here's a core type of cottage that is simple to build. Why not build the basic section of this cottage now? You can add to it later. With studio couches it will sleep four comfortably. Later you can add the bunk rooms—as many as you need. The last bunk room beyond the car port is a luxury, but if you have someone in the family who snores, it's worth having. You can also use that annex for your more formal guests. The porch off the kitchen area is a desirable addition that you can make at any time.

The fireplace can be made of stone around a prefabricated fireplace unit. The flue can be purchased in 5-foot sections and is usually made of asbestos. The section at the end of this book has some ideas which may be helpful in building it.

The overhead garage door which is used at the open end is relatively easy to install but will not be airtight. You may prefer to use two sets of glass french-type doors. The plan indicates both ways of enclosing this space.

Construction Outline

Foundation: Piers made of 8-by-8-by-16-inch block. Top block poured solid and bolts put into place to receive sill.

Flooring: Sills drilled to take bolts and then placed on pier foundation. Tighten bolts. Spike inner width of header to sill. Lay out floor joists and spike them to inner header. Now spike the outer header to the inner width. Nail down flooring. Install door and window sills and lay sole around outer edge and under partitions.

Wall Framing: Lay out wall sections B and D on the floor. When completed, tip into place and use temporary bracing to hold in vertical position. Frame walls A and C.

Roof: Place roof joists in place and lay roofing boards. Coat roofing boards with asphalt cement. Place a layer of 15-pound roofing felt over. Use cold type of roof mastic and brush over felt. Start laying selvage edge of roofing material at end C. Follow directions on the roll.

Side-wall Finish: Use l-by-6 or l-by-8 tongue-and-groove siding nailed at top, bottom, and at herringbone bridging.

Vents, Doors, and Other Openings: Follow details on preceding pages or in the last section of the book.

Insulation: Medium- or full-thickness Fiberglas or equivalent stapled between roof joists. Use medium thickness in side walls.

Install mechanical and electrical equipment as seems advisable.

Materials List
(Core Unit Only)

Concrete for footing ½ cu. yd.
Block for piers depends upon depth
10 anchor bolts ½ in. x 8 in.
19  2 x 4    14 ft. long Elev. C and sole
54  2 x 4      8 ft. long side walls A, B, D
  2  2 x 4    10 ft. long partition sole and sill
32  2 x 8    14 ft. long floor joists and header (girder)
22  2 x 8    16 ft. long roof joists
  5  2 x 6    14 ft. long sill
  1  4 x 4      8 ft. long post if double door (elev. A) is used
100 lineal ft. of I x 8 fascia board
110 lineal ft. of I x 2 doorstop
500 board ft. of flooring
680 board ft. of roofing
700 board  ft. of siding   (vertical)
1,000 board ft. of interior finish
400 sq. ft. of interior ceiling finish (plus waste)
1,000 sq. ft. of medium-thick insulation
3 (or 7) 2 ft. 6 in. x 6 ft. 8 in. exterior doors and screen doors
(alternate of 7 doors if overhead door not used)
I  2 ft. 2 in. x 6 ft. 6 in. interior door (bath)
I  9 ft. x 7 ft. upward-acting door (Elev. A)
I  cellar sash (about 16 in. x 33 in.)
1,550 sq. ft. of roofing material (3-ply) and sufficient mastic
3 sheets of 5/8 or 3/4 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. waterproof plywood
Electric wiring: 110-220 volt, 3-wire system
Plumbing: piping, pump, tank, water heater, seat, basin, shower, sink
Septic tank
Range
Refrigerator
Franklin stove or fireplace materials.

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