Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/913

 1869.] Iron Fronts. 743 can cities. If the ancient examples of j cornices and capitals, and mouldings generally, which have stood the test of criticism and been judged correct, are deemed best for stone, then they are best for iron also, and an attempt to inau- gurate new styles of architecture should bring a frown as quick when in iron as in stone. But correct outlines must be faithfully followed; and can be in the hands of a skilful manufacturer. If error be committed by the unskilful it no more condemns the material than will the thousands of ludicrous mistakes in wood and stone condemn those materials. The ancients worked in stone and artis- tically produced outlines that perhaps never can be rivalled. Iron is the modern- building material, dug from the bowels of the earth, smelted and purified by an advanced science, and ready to supplant stone, just as history relates, stone supplanted mud in the construc- tion of dwellings for men. Each tells of a growth in knowledge applying a better material. In this country, where stone and brick are scarce and expensive, and where prejudices are less settled than in older countries, cast-iron building fronts have crept into public favor and confidence more rapidly than elsewhere. In Eng- land, slowly but surety, iron fronts are acquiring favor, while on the continent they are further advanced in favor. Much has been said against iron from misconception. It is exceedingly diffi- cult in the minds of most writers who use sweeping denunciations and citations against iron, to separate wrought iron and cast-iron in their respective endur- ance against weather. Wrought-iron rapidly oxidizes when exposed to the atmosphere and goes to decay. Cast- iron on the contrary slowly oxidizes in damp situations ; rust does not scale from it, and the oxidation, when formed, is of a much less dangerous kind than on wrought-iron. A coating of paint will counteract whatever tendency cast- iron has to rust when exposed. Cast- iron is now entering largely into the construction of bridges in England, on account of its enduring qualities over wrought-iron, which is constantly scal- ing off with rust. A great deal has been written about the color to paint iron work. Iron being a material which requires a coating of lead and oil, it is meet and proper to give it any color that good taste may suggest. The color will often be regu- lated by the character and hue of adjoin- ing buildings or other surroundings. Because marble is white or sand-stone brown, the painting of iron work in these colors must not be prohibited. What is to be condemned is the graining of iron in imitation of marble, and sanding in imi- tation of stone. Wherever practicable, iron work should be painted inside as well as out. Particular care in this re- spect should be given to window lintels and sills, so that if rain-water gets in behind and trickles down the face of the building, there will be no streaks of rust to tell of carelessness, or of the entire omission of an inside coating. All iron-work put together in pieces, as cornices, trusses, etc., should have their joints well painted before being bolted or riveted together. In applying orna- ments to iron, such as leaves of capitals, etc., not only should the ornaments themselves be first thoroughly painted, but the screws which fasten them to the main work should be dipped in white lead or paint. After drilling a hole in iron the burs around the hole should alwaj's be filed away. A lack of care in these little matters often causes the greatest anno3-ance. For the first coat- ing of iron nothing is superior to oxide of iron mixed with oil, or what is known as metallic paint. On the manufacturer depends the artistic appearance of an iron building as well as its durability. The material is capable of receiving the sharpest kind of lines. But to secure under-cuttings,