Part 2

As a further safeguard against error and confusion, we include a set of instructions written by men who have had years of actual experience in constructing houses.

ECONOMY IN CARPENTRY

The entire time consumed by the carpenter for calculating the best plan for framing, has been eliminated. This time is entirely saved, because with our Bennett Better-Built system, the planning is completely done in our office before the material is shipped, and our _Special Notch System_ makes the work speedy.

As you have watched work on a house, have you ever stopped to figure how very much of a workman's time was spent in first measuring, then cutting, then trying and perhaps refitting the material--all this is against the very small amount of time required for fastening and nailing? Well, we save you all that fuss and waste by furnishing the material not merely cut, but cut to fit more accurately than hand labor ever could.

Immediately upon receipt of your order, the blue-prints of the design you have selected, the bill of material and a set of instructions are mailed to you. At that same time, a duplicate bill of material is sent into our mill, with instructions to start cutting. Within a few hours the material for the frame of your house is completed--which means that the work which would have required many days of expensive labor on the job, is accomplished in hours by our machines--more economically, more accurately, many times over.

ECONOMY IN MILLWORK

All Bennett Better-Built doors, windows, door frames, window frames, door trim, window trim and mouldings are manufactured in quantities--therefore at a very low cost of production, of which you derive the benefit. Powerful and precise machines saw and resaw, rout stair stringers, mortise, and fit doors and windows, cut and shape woodwork, smooth and sand all sorts and sizes of lumber--with a quality of fine workmanship in dozen and score lots impossible by any other method.

And remember--any saving in labor must be considered a double saving, because the more time required for the erection of your home, the longer you are paying out money for labor on the new and for rent where you are living.

ECONOMY IN WATER TRANSPORTATION OF RAW MATERIALS

The docks of the Ray H. Bennett Lumber Company, Inc., are located the best of any in North Tonawanda. You will realize the importance to you of location, when we tell you that the largest lumber steamers coming down the great lakes, direct from the saw mills, land at our docks. Thus we are enabled to take advantage of lake-steamer cargo-shipments, and save something for you.

You will also appreciate that we, as buyers of cargoes of lumber totalling millions of feet, are entitled to a lower price than the buyer of a carload of lumber containing only about twenty thousand feet. This impresses the fact that we are in a position to furnish you better quality materials at lower prices. We handle lumber in huge quantities--our stock sizes are secured in big units--therefore, our goods are manufactured and handled at a much lower cost.

You can easily see that our ideal location for the securing of our raw materials means large savings to you. We have enormous stocks on hand at all times and are ideally equipped for fast work.

ECONOMY IN EXCEPTIONAL SHIPPING FACILITIES

North Tonawanda, N. Y., where the Bennett Plant is located, is one of the largest lumber markets in the United States. This is due to the fact that North Tonawanda is a made-to-order center for distribution. Its shipping facilities are conceded to be unsurpassed in the country. Practically all of the great railway systems are in direct connection, enabling us to give you the remarkable service--the vitally important quick shipments--for which we are famed--in which we excel.

ECONOMY IN BENNETT BULK BUYING

We have, as yet, made little mention of our vast purchasing power, nor of the fact that you are purchasing your material at wholesale prices.

We purchase, annually, many millions of feet of material directly from the saw mills, thereby eliminating unnecessary expenses and profits. We buy at rock-bottom prices, less all possible discounts for quantity, for prompt payment, etc.

And then our giant purchases are brought by large lake steamers to our docks and unloaded directly into our yard. On one side our material comes in; it moves almost automatically through our yards to the cutting and finishing mills; it leaves them on the railroad side of our property. With our advantages, the cost of handling is therefore reduced to a minimum which only a few of the largest establishments can hope to equal.

BENNETT ADVANTAGES--In a Nutshell

1. Designs and plans proven the "best" of this country's architectural and practical experts.

2. Elimination of architects' and contractors' fees.

3. Materials from the heart of the lumber market--brand-new, bright stock.

4. Saving of waste through standard sizes, lengths, shapes.

5. Ready-cut, ready-to-erect features as against cut-and-try on the job method.

6. Quantity production of standardized millwork.

7. Transportation and handling charges minimized.

8. Huge buying facilities.

9. Services of an organization, celebrated for its financial strength, for ability and for integrity.

10. All-in-all a real HOME for you and yours at a price that represents the greatest possible value for the money you elect to put into it.

In every paragraph of these specifications you will note how thoroughly we have planned for strength and endurance in the construction of your home--how we employ only the best grades of lumber, accurately cut and fashioned by the most precise workmanship.

In the first place, please understand the importance of our notched construction. See the photograph in the lower corner of next page. The frames of our houses are a great improvement over the common practice, both in matters of accuracy of fit, of strength and rigidity. The notch method is considered costly when done by hand labor, but it is always considered desirable. The Bennett methods of doing by machines in minutes what would take hours or days by the cut-on-the-job way, gives you extra quality without extra cost.

Another thing we wish you to note is the double and triple strength of joists and studding, where extra stresses are sure to be met, or absolute rigidity is an essential. See the three studs at the corners as shown by the photo of "notch" construction.

Notice that we furnish bridging for floor joists; that our stairs are cut accurately, as in the best houses, instead of using mere nailed-on cleats.

Notice how we select and match interior woods for beauty of grain--how we sand them so they will take a most beautiful finish.

Notice that the outside of our houses--door and window frames, and siding,--is of _Redwood_, celebrated for its extraordinary long life, and so approved by the U. S. Government experts.

Notice our hardware and such items as kitchen cabinets, wardrobes, medicine cabinets, even building paper, and lastly notice our double flooring for both floors.

In every last item, Bennett Homes are truly Better-Built--all in all you will get a most attractive, most livable, most enduring dwelling place, giving you a dollar for dollar value that is unequalled in the lumber market.

General Specifications

DIMENSIONS

All rooms show =actual= inside measurements and not from outside of building to center of inside partition or from center of partition to center of partition, as is sometimes given.

PLANS

One set is furnished with each house. They are so complete in detail, that if carefully followed, it is impossible to go wrong. Reversed plans will be furnished without extra cost.

MATERIALS IN GENERAL

All lumber for Bennett "Better-Built" Homes is shipped directly from enormous stocks in our yards. It is all thoroughly seasoned, and guaranteed equal to or better than the grades specified. Thorough seasoning means less waste and consequently lower freight charges. It also means that shrinkage, bound to occur with green lumber, has occurred before the lumber is cut for your home.

QUANTITY OF MATERIALS

An unqualified guarantee is contained on your order blank that we will furnish material to entirely complete your home in accordance with the following general specifications and with the particular specifications contained on the individual page of photograph and plans.

BASEMENT FRAMES AND SASH

Are not included in your order unless illustration shows siding or shingles to the grade lines, because these are used when the foundation is laid. We plan to have your material on the ground as soon as the foundation is finished and has had sufficient time to set. If we were to furnish basement frames and sash, it would be necessary either to ship them by express, creating additional expense, or it would be necessary to delay the foundation work until the lumber arrived. We cannot see where enough benefit is derived to make up for this additional expense and delay. If, however, you decide to have us furnish them, we will ship them according to your instructions.

FOUNDATION WALL PLATE OR BOND TIMBER

2 in. × 6 in. No. 1 Hemlock, surfaced four sides and cut to fit, furnished to lay on top of the foundation wall to insure an even bearing for the first floor joists.

GIRDER

Size 6 in. × 6 in. or 6 in. × 8 in., (as listed under each design) depending upon the size house. No. 1 Hemlock, surfaced four sides and cut to fit. It is a well-known fact that a built-up timber is stronger than a solid timber, and is much easier to handle. We, therefore, furnish material cut to proper length to make a built-up timber.

GIRDER POSTS

Iron stanchions 4 in. in diameter. These posts are furnished in sufficient number for spacing not more than 8 ft. apart.

FIRST FLOOR JOISTS

2 in. × 8 in. or 2 in. × 10 in. according to span, No. 1 Hemlock, Surfaced four sides and cut to fit; spaced 16 in. on centers and =doubled= under all bearing partitions.

SECOND FLOOR JOISTS

2 in. × 8 in. or 2 in. × 10 in. according to span, No. 1 Hemlock, surfaced four sides and cut to fit; spaced 16 in. on centers.

CEILING JOISTS AND COLLAR BEAMS

2 in. × 4 in. or 2 in. × 6 in., depending upon span, No. 1 Hemlock, surfaced four sides and cut to fit; 16 in. on centers.

BRIDGING

2 in. × 2 in. Hemlock, cut to fit. A double row between all 2 in. × 8 in. and 2 in. × 10 in. joists having a span of 12 ft. or over.

RAFTERS

2 in. × 4 in. or 2 in. × 6 in. depending on size of house and pitch of roof, No. 1 Hemlock, surfaced four sides, spaced 24 in. on centers. The rafters are all carefully laid out and cut in our mill, ready to erect on the job.

STUDDING

2 in. × 4 in. No. 1 Hemlock, surfaced four sides, all cut to fit; spaced 16 in. on centers. =Trebled= at corners of outside walls and =doubled= at sides of door and window openings where extra strength is required. Top plates of all partitions and outside walls are =double=; single plates at bottom. Side wall plates are =notched= to receive the studding, a celebrated Bennett feature. It is impossible to set the studding wrong. This is an improvement over the ordinary method of framing. See illustration on opposite page.

WALL SHEATHING

=Dressed and matched= and cut to fit. This is another important item of Bennett quality. No. 1 Hemlock.

ROOF SHEATHING

1 in. × 4 in. No. 1 Hemlock, surfaced one side, cut to fit. We furnish this material in quantities to allow for 2-1/4 in. spacing, as is common practice, when shingles are used. In case you decide to use Asphalt Slate Surfaced Roofing, or Asphalt S. S. Shingles, it is necessary to lay the sheathing tightly together. We furnish dressed and matched sheathing for this purpose at a slight additional cost.

PORCH FLOOR JOISTS

2 in. × 6 in. No. 1 Hemlock, surfaced four sides and cut to fit. Spaced 16 in. on centers.

PORCH CEILING JOISTS AND RAFTERS

2 in. × 4 in. No. 1 Hemlock, surfaced four sides and cut to fit. Spaced 24 in. on centers.

SUB FLOORING

1 in. No. 1 Hemlock =Dressed= and =Matched= and cut to fit, furnished for both =first= and =second floors=.

FINISH FLOORING

13/16 in. × 2-1/4 in. or 13/16 in. × 3-1/4 in. Clear Flat Grain Yellow Pine or Clear Fir. Double Flooring is another proof of the Bennett Better-Built idea--it secures rigidity and soundproofness. Furnished in standard lengths.

PORCH FLOORING

1-1/8 in. × 3-1/4 in. Clear Fir, cut to fit.

PORCH CEILING

7/16 in. Clear Yellow Pine, surfaced and beaded one side and matched, cut to fit.

ATTIC FLOORING

When attic stairs are shown in plans, we furnish 13/16 in. × 3-1/4 in. No. 2 Yellow Pine, cut to fit. When attic stairs are not shown, no flooring is furnished.

CORNICE CEILING

3/4 in. × 3-1/4 in. =Clear Fir=, surfaced and beaded one side and matched, cut to fit, used instead of roof boards over exposed rafter ends.

OUTSIDE FINISH

=Clear Redwood=, =Clear Fir or Sound Knotted White Pine=, surfaced four sides.

SIDING

1/2 in. =Clear Redwood Bevel Siding, furnished in standard lengths. Or=

=Extra *A* Washington Red Cedar= Shingles will be furnished instead of siding without extra charge, if so desired. It is commonly known, and an admitted fact that =Redwood is unequalled for exterior protection=.

DOOR FRAMES AND WINDOW FRAMES

=Clear Redwood= cut to fit, and shipped knocked-down. The sills for all outside doors are 1-3/4 in. × 7-1/4 in. hardwood. All outside casing for window and doors are 7/8 in. × 4-1/2 in. with drip cap.

INSIDE DOORS

1-3/8 in. Fir, two or five panel, mortised for lock sets. See pages 36 and 37.

FRONT AND REAR DOORS

Both glazed. Front doors are furnished as shown in the individual house picture. 1-3/4 in. thick No. 1 grade solid Chestnut, unless otherwise specified, =mortised= for front door lock set. Rear door 1-3/8 in., =mortised= for lock set. See pages 36 and 37 for all doors.

ROOF SHINGLES

Extra Clear Washington Red Cedar 5-2 inches, (*) at butt. To lay 4-1/2 in. to the weather. Bennett multi-strip slate-surfaced shingles or Bennett Asphalt Slate-Surfaced Shingles will be furnished at a nominal cost. *Note: The "5 to 2" inches, refers to the thickness of the shingles, and means that five shingles placed one on top of the other with butts together, measures full 2 inches thick at the butt end.

SIDE WALL SHINGLES

For side walls, where shown in catalog, are Premium Brand Extra *A* Washington Red Cedar Shingles 6 to 2, furnished to be laid 5 in. to the weather. Siding will be furnished instead of shingles, if so desired.

SCAFFOLDS AND BRACES

We furnish these as necessary, depending upon the size of the house.

LATH

No. 1 Spruce or Hemlock 48 in. standard. No lath furnished for cellar or attic, unless ordered extra.

GROUNDS

5/8 in. × 7/8 in. Hemlock. To nail around all inside door openings as a guide for plastering.

STAIRS

The stairs are carefully designed for the individual requirements of each home. The material is the highest grade of Yellow Pine to match the beauty of the other interior finish. They are carefully machined in our mills and are shipped to you knocked down, ready to set up. See illustration of manufacture on page 4. See pages 36 and 37 also.

CELLAR AND ATTIC STAIRS

Furnished cut to fit whenever shown in the plans.

PANTRY AND CLOSET SHELVING

Material for shelves is furnished for each closet and pantry, shown in the catalog plans.

KITCHEN CABINET

Whenever kitchen cabinets are shown in the plans they are included in the price for the home. They are shipped to you in the knock-down complete (including hardware). The material is clear grade Yellow Pine. See pages 36 and 37.

MEDICINE CABINET

A built-in medicine cabinet is furnished with each house having a bathroom. Each cabinet is complete in every detail and includes a bevel-mirror door. Shipped ready to set in place. See pages 36 and 37.

COLONNADES

Where a colonnade is shown in the plans, it is included in the price of the home. The material is, of course, Yellow Pine to match the other fine interior finish of the home. Each colonnade is manufactured in owr own mill under our own supervision, and we guarantee you the very best of materials and the finest workmanship. Two styles of colonnades are shown on pages 36 and 37 of our catalog. In case a colonnade is not included in the plan of the house you select, and you wish to install one, we will, upon application, gladly quote prices.

INSIDE DOOR AND WINDOW TRIM

Clear Yellow Pine of the finest quality obtainable, all carefully matched and sanded. The casings are 13/16 in. × 3-5/8 in. in width; back band 1-1/8 in. × 1-1/8 in.; the window stool 7/8 in. × 3-5/8 in.; the apron 7/8 in. × 3-1/4 in. This design is one of the choicest on the market. See pages 36 and 37.

BASE, PICTURE MOULDING, CHAIR RAIL AND HOOK STRIPS

Clear Yellow Pine, shipped in standard lengths to be cut on the job; base 13/16 in. × 7-5/8 in. on first floor, 13/16 in. × 5-5/8 in. for second floor. Picture moulding 13/16 in. × 1-1/2 in. Chair rail 5/8 in. × 3-1/2 in. Hook strips 13/16 in. × 2-3/4 in. Chair rail for kitchen and bath. Hook strips for all closets.

WINDOWS

1-3/8 in. Clear White Pine, check rail, made to be used with pulleys and weights. Glass set in and puttied. Styles to correspond with those shown in the individual house pictures. All windows more than 26 inches in width, glazed with =double= strength glass.

PORCH MATERIAL

All porch materials are manufactured from the best weather-resisting woods of standard designs. Porch steps are painstakingly cut to fit in our mill and shipped to you knocked-down with 1-1/8 in. treads.

HARDWARE

MORTISE LOCK SETS

Design illustrated on pages 36 and 37. Furnished in two styles of finish--Antique Copper, or Sand Blast Dull Brass. Unless otherwise specified in your order, we will furnish the Antique Copper. A cylinder front door lock set is furnished with all houses listed at $2400.00 or more. For houses listed at less, the standard bit key front door lock set is furnished.

DOUBLE ACTING FLOOR HINGES AND DOOR PLATES

Furnished with all houses shown with a double swinging door between the kitchen and dining room.

HINGES

Finished to match other hardware. Three hinges are furnished on all front doors.

SASH LIFT, SASH LOCKS AND WINDOW STOP ADJUSTERS

Furnished for all sliding sash windows, finished to match the lock sets, two sash lifts to each window.

BATHROOM HARDWARE

All bathroom hardware is =nickel plated=.

KITCHEN CUPBOARD AND CABINET HARDWARE

All =hinges=, =turns=, =etc.=, are included in price quoted and furnished to match other hardware.

NAILS

Sufficient quantities of all sizes furnished for all purposes. Galvanized nails for shingles.

BUILDING PAPER

=Tarred Paper= is furnished for underneath the siding, and between the finish and sub-flooring.

DOORBELL

We furnish an attractive front door bell set.

MISCELLANEOUS HARDWARE

Our hardware list includes sash cord, window weights, attic sash sets, base knobs, coat hooks, chimney flashing and valley tin, but does not include eavetroughing.

PAINTS, OILS AND VARNISHES

EXTRA FINE QUALITY READY-MIXED PAINT

Sufficient in quantity for three good coats on outside walls. A special hard drying floor paint is furnished to cover the porch floor and steps two coats. Color card furnished upon request.

SPAR VARNISH

Although it costs less to furnish paint for the porch ceiling, we are furnishing a high grade spar varnish for two coats. Spar varnish is also furnished to cover the front door.

INTERIOR VARNISH

A very high grade varnish is furnished for two good coats on all doors, windows and interior trim. This varnish is exceedingly durable and can be rubbed within 36 to 48 hours. It is not affected by hot or cold water and will not crack.

Practically every home owner prefers his bathroom painted rather than varnished. All bathrooms in Bennett Better-Built Homes are especially attractive, owing to the fact that they are finished in white enamel and all hardware is furnished nickel plated. Enamel undercoater is furnished to cover the woodwork, two coats. Two coats of Bennett White Enamel on top of this makes an attractive and durable surface. Our White Enamel Paint will not turn yellow. Putty, oil, sandpaper and turpentine in proper quantities to meet requirements are furnished.

Although we do not include floor varnish or wall paints in our specifications, owing to the wide variety of ways for finishing floors and walls, we will upon request be glad to figure your exact needs and quote upon them.

SHINGLE STAIN

When shingles are used on outside walls, we furnish shingle stain instead of paint. We do not furnish stain for roof shingles, except at an additional cost on order.

FOUNDATION, CHIMNEY, FIREPLACES

Although we show on our plans, the location of foundation, chimney, fireplace, etc., we do not include these items in our prices, nor do we carry the materials in stock. The express and freight charges to be met in shipment would offset any advantages we might offer. For the same reason, we do not furnish plaster. We will, however, gladly co-operate with our customers by offering suggestions or furnishing data regarding same.

PLUMBING, HEATING AND LIGHTING

See pages 71 and 72 for plumbing, heating and lighting fixtures.

The quotations covering the installation of plumbing, heating and lighting equipment vary so much that it is advisable to consider each separately.

Our Equipment Department will furnish you with information and estimates.

[Sidenote: =_Avon_= 26 ft. × 40 ft. over all 7 Rooms and Bath]

What "Sterling" means to silver, our "Avon" means to the semi-bungalow home. It is the hallmark of genuine worth.

Rarely do you find so stately, yet so graceful lines. Consider the broad and downward sweeping roofs of main structure and porch, the overhanging eaves, the supporting brackets, the solid pillars and house-wide veranda. And such a wonderful place inside! You'll hesitate a minute in the vestibule--but it's in the hospitable living room you wish to be. There's a restful hearth and fireside at the farther end; or, if you prefer, a triple window to give a wide view of outdoors. And--what's unique--the stairway rising charmingly from one corner of the roomy, cheerful dining room. The kitchen is compact, convenient.

And think of it--_two_ airy, sizable bedrooms on the main floor. Yet there are two more sleeping rooms--one extra large--the bath, storeroom, and a linen closet upstairs. Notice the ample closet room, the coat closet, the flood of light and air possible in every room of this home.

Oh! there are features in the "Avon" to tell you about for a long time--but write us you are interested in it especially, and we will send the whole splendid story.

=SPECIFICATIONS=

Ceiling height first floor approximately 9 ft.

Ceiling height second floor approximately 8 ft.

Girders 6 in. × 8 in.

First and second floor joists 2 in. × 8 in.

Ceiling joists 2 in. × 4 in. Rafters 2 in. × 6 in.

Front door--our "Chautauqua," of solid Chestnut, 3 ft. × 6 ft. 8 in. and 1-3/4 in. thick, glazed with clear glass. _See pages 36-37._

French doors between vestibule and living room. _See pages 36-37._

Prices on oak floors and trim for vestibule, living room and dining room, maple flooring in kitchen, quoted on application.

Our No. 1 kitchen cupboard and medicine cabinet included in the selling price. _See pages 36-37._

_See pages 8-9 for general specifications._