ROOFS OF HOUSES.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17939, 6 December 1923, Page 4

ROOFS OF HOUSES.

AN INTERESTING FEATURE. Perhaps no feature of the Lous© is of greater importance from the practical and {esthetic viewpoint than the roof (says tho New York "Herald"). The tendency of architectural design is increasingly toward the low, rambling type of house with generous roof areas, and it is therefore obviously important that materials used iu the roof shall be not only of endurin K quality but also harmonizo in texture, ioi'jn and colour with tho type of architecture in which the house has been designed. Tho shingle roof is, of course, tho least expensive as regards the initial construction, and if shingles be creosoted properly, applied with galvanised nails nad underlaid with flushing of copper tho life of the roof will bo indefinite. Furthermore, practically any desired colour can bo obtained by staining the shingles, although, of course, only the darker shades will 'be permanent, as tho lighter colours inevitably will darken with age.

The shingle roof is tho most appropriate for Colonial style houses and can be used also with propriety on homes of English types. In the latter style of architecture shingles are employed sometimes to stimulate tho thatched roof a which requires considerable extra expense in application, and unless the work bo done in a highly competent manner the illusion of the attempted imitation is entirely lost. Furthermore, even, when tho shingles have been applied in the most expert manner to accomplish that end the result is at best only an imitation. The roof of slate has the advantage of being permanent and fireproof. Slate is adapted architecturally most appropriately to houses of English architecture. The greater cost of ordinary commercial slate compared with that of a shingle rnof is inconsiderable, but that type of slate- roof is usually of little interest in colour or texture.

Where, however, expense is not important, a rugged, heavy slate roof can be made a beautiful feature of the house, as with it can be obtained wonderful colour effects as well as rough texture, which impart to the house a character which no other feature can convey. A roof of that character will add approximately 2500 dollars to tho cost of "an average 20,000 dollar liouse as contrasted with the price of an ordinary shingle roof. A roof of tile shares with slate the advantages of resistance to fire and deterioration and can impart a colour note which, if the- selection has been made properly, will prove to he an important and harmonious part of the architectural effect. Tile, however, is not appropriate to any hut Spanish and Italian styles of architecture. Tho cost of a tile roof is approximately the same as slate.

In selecting a til© or a slate roof colour and scale should be considered. We have all seen frequently comparatively small houses on which have been put. tile roofs of such large scale as' to give a top-heavy effect to tho entire house.

It is important to remember that the house which has been originally designed for a shingle roof will not be structurally strong enough to support a roof of 'slate or tile unless the construction of tho roof members is strengthened to take care of the increased weight. Finally, whatever type of roof is decided on, it is of tho utmost importance that the metal flashings tdiould be copper and carefully and competently applied, as otherwise it will be necessary to tear up the roof to replace flashings where leaks have developed, due to rust or improper workmanship. There is little or no choice footween shingles, slate or tile with respect to making a hot or a cool house in the summer months. No house, irrespective of the type of roof, need be hot if an air space be provided with proper omsfi-ventiTntinn in order to assure a constant movement of air through the attic space.

PASSING OF WALLPAPER. What was most noticeable to a visitor to the Decorators' Exhibition, opened in October by Lord Ask with at Holland Park Hall, London, was the way in which wallpaper had been superseded by enamel for the decoration of room walls. The exhibition was organised by the National Federation of Master Painters and Decorators to bring the public and the trade into closer touch with recent developments in materials and designs, and part of the cost of it was borne by the operatives' trade union. Opposite the main entrance to the exhibition was what might justly bo termed a temple of paint, designed by Sir Edward Lutyens, the designer of tho Cenotaph. It was painted dead white, with British white lead paint, and was illuminated bv diffused light from electric lamps of various colours. Colour was the keynote of the whole. "Tho long reign of monotonous and dazzling white is nearly over," saiu Mr Cecil E. Campbell, president of tho National Federation of Master Painters and Decorators.