"Tony Bryer" wrote in message
...
In article , Rich wrote:
The only reason that semis were built with their main living
areas together was to save a few pennies by only having one
chimney stack!

In fairness to the builders, more than pennies. If you have hipped
roof semis gathering the flues in the loft into one ridge chimney is
a little more involved on the brickwork side, but hugely easier on
the roofing and flashing side. From an energy conservation pov (not
that this was considered then) traditional non HA semis have the main
rooms with only one external wall and much of the heat that goes up
the chimney (in the days of coal fires as when most of these houses
were built) will find its way back into your own house or next door
and vice versa. With the HA layout the back of the flue is external
brickwork and a heat sink.

I'm glad you said that, saved me from doing it!

It makes every sense to have that configuration.

Mary