| Summary: | Homes In North Constructed Of Steel And Cork. HOMES IN NORTH CONSTRUCTED OF STEEL AND CORK Two portable dwellings of steel frames and cork-board walls and roofs went to Alaska to replace homes destroyed in the Nome fire a few months ago, says Popular Mechanics Magazine. The experiment has shown that this type of construction, in which the insulation is the structure Instead of an addition to the structure, is admirably suited to cold regions In particular. The material for the homes was cut to size at the factory, the parts were numbered and the houses were sent by boat to Nome where, despite adverse weather conditions, the dwellings were erected in ten days. It is estimated the cost of such construction is about one-fourth more than for ordinary frame structures, but to offset this, a saving of fifteen per cent, or, more in fuel Is claimed. In addition to complete insulation the cork and steel homes are fire resistant, vermin proof, immune to dry rot and impervious to moisture. The houses can be knocked down, moved and reassembled easily If the steel frames are bolted to timbers as a base. The cork-board is squeeze-fitted between the steel angles and secured with wire. Lumber is used over the cork-board roof and on this is laid composite roll roofing. Each Alaskan home is eighteen by thirty feet, sufficient for four small rooms, and each structure required two and one-half tons of steel and 5,500 feet, board measure, of cork-board. This type of construction permit optional finish, Inside and outside, with stucco, brick veneer, sheet Iron or stone as outside choices, and plaster, veneer panels or other finish for the interior. Provision Is made easily for Inside plumbing and wiring. Standard specifications call for steel doors and window sashes with provision for storm windows. Floors are of wood.
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