190 SELLING LUMBER 



runneth not to the contrary, and we have but to learn and to meet 

 his requirements to retain this preference in future. 

 The Require- What, then, is required of a roofing material? 



Roofing We find that to be acceptable it must be capable of producing 



Material. a roof that is tight and durable, resisting reasonably well the 



attacks of wind, weather and time; that it must insulate against 

 extremes of heat and cold; that it must serve artistic purposes; 

 that it must be available at a reasonable cost ; be easy of applica- 

 tion and call for no extra investment in weight or strength of the 

 structure it is to cover. Experience and observation have already 

 taught us that our material meets every one of these requirement's, 

 and to a remarkable degree. History tells that shingles have been 

 used as a roof covering from time immemorial, definite record ex- 

 isting of the use of shingles in England- in pre-Norman times ; 

 many samples of these still exist, it is said, especially on the wooden 

 towers and spires of East Anglia. We all know that the old- 

 fashioned shingle of generous thickness, split or "rived" out of 

 first class heart pine or cypress, has stood the test of time better 

 than any other material available to the average home builder. 



The more modern sawn shingle, made from the same material, 



when qf proper size and properly used, lasts a lifetime, and more; 



it makes a water-tight, durable, and highly artistic roof covering ; 



it is easily applied ; it is light in weight, calling for no extra strength 



in the frame of the building k covers; wood is the poorest con- 



The Superior ductor of heat or cold available for the purpose, and hence is most 



ShirTle a suitable for use in any climate; it takes stain or paint readily, 



Roof. making possible a wide range of treatment for color ef feet, as well 



as increasing the life of the roof. Lastly, the shingle roof may be 



constructed at a first cost lower than that of the cheapest of the 



substitutes which are comparable in point of service. The ultimate 



cost of the shingle roof is far below that of any of the materials 



offered in competition. 



In point of comparison as to beauty and artistic effects possi- 

 ble with the different materials, all of our competitors fall by the 

 wayside, except perhaps tile and slate, and these are so expensive 

 as to be entirely beyond the reach of the average man, whose neces- 

 sities we are discussing. 



Of late years, as the result of the upbuilding of cities where 

 our dwelling places are crowded together, a new demand is made 

 upon roofing material; that it shall be fireproof, to minimize the 

 danger of fire spreading from building to building. And here it is 



