Making a Fireplace

Henry Hodgman SaylorProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

2.6

Word count: 42K words
Chapters: 5

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.Making a Fireplace by Henry H. SaylorAuthor: Saylor, Henry H. (Henry Hodgman), 1880-,Language: English, Class: TH: Technology: Building construction, Release Date: Sep 19, 2008

Editor's review

This little book was written by the early twentieth-century American architectural author Henry H. Saylor and belongs to the architectural technology category of free public-domain e-books on Project Gutenberg. Its value lies not in providing modern construction standards but in presenting the basic ideas and period practices of fireplace construction: from site selection and the relationship between flue and ventilation to firebox proportions, materials, and masonry essentials, in concise language aimed at ordinary homeowners and do-it-yourselfers. As a public-domain text, it is more like a historical slice that lets readers see how knowledge of residential heating and home building was expressed a century ago. Read it as a light volume on technological history and home culture, and understand it in comparison with modern building codes; you will gain common-sense knowledge of fireplace principles and also appreciate the plain style of early practical writing. It suits browsing when planning renovations, pursuing an interest in architectural history, or practicing the reading of English technical texts, but it should not be used directly as a contemporary construction guide.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Self-builders or renovators interested in residential fireplace construction and flue principles
Enthusiasts of public-domain literature on architectural technology and the history of domestic life
English learners who want to practice reading with short English technical texts
Editors and researchers who need to understand the style of early practical architectural writing

Not a good fit for

Professional craftspeople looking for modern fireplace construction standards and safety codes
Readers hoping for a richly illustrated, step-by-step DIY manual
Ordinary readers who have difficulty reading the English original and have no parallel translation

Reading tips

First read through the table of contents and opening to grasp the author's overall framework for discussing fireplace construction, then read chapter by chapter.
As you read, compare with modern knowledge of building fire safety and smoke exhaust, note differences between past and present practices, and avoid copying them directly.
Combine the reading with direct observation of a fireplace at home or nearby, understanding the relationship between flue and firebox proportions as you go.
The English original is not long; read one short section at a time and take brief notes to build up architectural vocabulary.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Can this book be used directly to guide building a fireplace today?

Not recommended. It is an early twentieth-century practical building text focused on basic principles and the practices of its time, lacking modern codes for fire safety, smoke exhaust, and structural safety. You can use it as an introductory reference for understanding how fireplaces work, but actual construction should follow current building codes and the advice of professional builders.

What aspects of the fireplace does the book mainly discuss?

Judging from the title and its architectural technology classification, the book centers on fireplace construction, covering basic questions such as site selection, flue and ventilation, firebox proportions, and masonry materials. The specific chapters should be based on the original book; readers can treat it as a period text on building knowledge.

Can I read this book if my English is not good?

This is a public-domain English e-book, fairly short and written in practical explanatory language, so it can be attempted with basic English reading ability. If it feels difficult, read paragraph by paragraph with a dictionary first, or find parallel materials for support, focusing on grasping the basic concepts of fireplace construction rather than translating word by word.

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About the author

Henry Hodgman Saylor Author · American · 1880

Henry Hodgman Saylor (born 1880) was an American architect and writer. Public information about his life and education is limited; he is known for practical books on architecture and domestic garden life. Two of his works are held in this collection: Making a Rose Garden and Making a Fireplace. Judging by their titles and subjects, his writing stays close to everyday home and gardening practice, dealing with the creation of rose gardens and the design and construction of fireplaces for ordinary readers who wish to improve their own surroundings. Such books are typically valued for their clear steps and concrete methods, reflecting an architect's approach that combines design awareness with hands-on work. Though few in number, his works remain useful reference texts in the niche of residential and garden design.