SOME METHODS OF ROOFING.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20918, 27 July 1933, Page 6

SOME METHODS OF ROOFING.

WIDE CHOICE. SECURING THE BEST, Wood shingles on the modern house, both plain and stained, have been discussed often, but little has been said about prepared shingles. A prepared shingle, cither asphalt or asbestos, should be comparatively thick, so that it will not curl or crack, and also so that it may cast interesting shadows on the root. It should be so manufactured that it will lie flat regardless or humidity and temperature. Asphalt shingles that are tapered like regular wood shingles, if otherwise substantial enough, are a good typo. Perhaps the success of a roof covered with prepared shingles is as much due to the manner of laying as to the shingles themselves. The roof boards, tvhich are nailed directly to the roof rafters, rhould be thoroughly dry and laid tighly to one another. All flashings Ehould be examined and replaced or repaired before laying roofing. Some types of prepared shingles are usable right over existing roots, but this procedure needs expert consultation before a decision is readied.

Handling the Valleys. An anphaJt-saturated felt over the roof boards before laying any roofing is regarded as an excellent practice, for roofs that have ordinary pitches, not less than one-third, the valleys can be handled satisfactorily with rolled, slate-covered roofing by laying a strip 12 inches wide, slate side down, in the valley. Over this put a strip 20 inches wide slate side up. The two strips are stuck together with roofing cement and the edges tacked down sparingly. There are many ways of laying prepared shingles for varying effects. Besides different shapes, there is a choice of colours. Tile and slate roofs are permanent ones, and are suitable for a wide variety in tj-pes of architecture. Slate is in a limited selection of colours. They are nature's work and permanent. Tile, being man-made, can be had in a wider selection of colours and shapes.