AS ONE of the outstanding builders of speculalative homes in the medium size and price range in the Chicago area, W. C. Tackett, Inc., has been unusually successful in adding the extra value features to his homes which mean increased salability. This is particularly true in the field of modern design of the type shown above. Not being of extreme styling, it is more acceptable to the buying public than much of the radical modernism. Tackett is constantly testing public reaction to various new features as they are introduced, including equipment items, methods of room arrangement and exterior design. The architectural department of this firm is constantly making changes in the previous year's designs to offer more home for the money.
An outline of material and equipment features of Tackett-built houses are as follows:
Dry basements guaranteed by waterproofing and drain tile; recreation rooms paneled in knotty pine, with wood-burning fireplace; No. 1 kiln-dried lumber used throughout; Celotex Vaporseal and rock wool insulation; thick butt asphalt shingles laid over 15 lb. felt, or Edham wood shingles; heated attached garages with McKee overhead doors; finest quality woodwork featuring 1 3/4" thick windows and doors; metal weatherstripping with bronze interlocking thresholds; metal lath ceilings and corners, U.S.G. cement plaster; tile floors and walls, built-in electric heaters and porcelain accessories in baths; reversible type electric ventilating fans in kitchens; all wiring in rigid conduits; Standard Sanitary and Kohler plumbing fixtures; automatic hot water heaters; Sunbeam winter air conditioning systems; Corbin solid brass hardware; Rittenhouse chimes; G-E electric clocks; bronze screens and Armstrong linoleum; all painting 3-coat work, using high quality workmanship and materials.
