SHAVINGS

Evening Star, Issue 22516, 8 December 1936, Page 2

SHAVINGS

NO CONDENSATION FROM ROOFS. With practically every roof a certain amount of condensation takes place, in some districts more than others. This condensation in time will damage plaster ceilings. The trouble, however, can he overcome. A material is now on, the market manufactured of kraft, a specially tough paper, sisal fibres, and built up like plywood with bitumen. This material is laid over the rafters before the tiles or iron is fixed, and a slight sagging is allowed between the rafters to provide a gutter to carry off the moisture. « • • • BUILDING WAGES IN BRITAIN. As compared with pre-war days, the building craftsman is doing .pretty well —that is, his wages have risen more than the cost of living. It therefore might bo thought that the rise in wages which took place at the beginning of this month was hardly justified. But we think it was (says ‘ Building,’ England). Indeed, generally speaking, all craftsmen seem to ns to be too poorly paid for the skill involved. The present increases consist generally of Id per hour to craftsmen, and id per hour to labourers, to be followed by similar increases next January, * * * * FLATS IN LONDON. The novelty of living in a flat lias passed, and it is found that the individual tenant is becoming much more exacting in bis demands. He expects every possible service and comfort which can bo provided by means of mechanical equipment. Services which a few years ago were considered as luxuries are now insisted on as necessary adjuncts to the flat. In view of the high rentals charged for flats in London, this is quite a justifiable attitude, and means that, just as the case of any other commodity sold to the public, the promoter and investor in property has to make every effort to render his property acceptable to the public writes H. I. Ashworth in ‘ Building ’ (Eng.).