TIMBERING, FRAMING, ETC. 315 



work around chimneys, at roof line, in all valleys, under and 

 over windows and on balconies. Few leaks are more difficult to stop 

 than those of a poorly built balcony, the door sill of which requires a 

 steep pitch. It is said that in Ontario's rare dry climate unpainted tin 

 on the exterior is bright after a dozen years' service, but the usual 

 rule in other climes is a thick coat of paint on both upper and under 

 sides, repainting exteriorly every two years. Canvas roofs if covered 

 too thickly with paint will crack. 



The roof skylight, that inartistic protuberance so apt to leak 

 if not properly flashed, or if not securely fastened liable to centre the 

 lawn, can be generally entirely hidden behind chimney, dormer or 

 ridge, leaving contours uninjured, and both overhead and under foot 

 skylights should invariably be of substantial wire glass of extra thick- 

 ness for durability and fire protection. 



Roof House and Roof Garden. 



A roof house of one room and a roof garden might connect with 

 a prophet's chamber, leaping from questionable experiment to a 

 glorious success, but because of limitations should be worked out on 

 a flat roof Moorish house. 



The scheme of a Colonial one room cottage screened 'mid vines 

 and fronted by a small old-fashioned garden placed on a cement floored 

 flat roof lifted in a measure above the turmoil of earth, made an 

 ever remembered guest room. 



Iron roofs and sides for outbuildings unless kept thoroughly 

 painted readily succumb to rust and decay, and are more suited to 

 commercial purposes except in an inexpensive garage. 



Timbering, Framing, Etc. 



Proper sizing of timber goes a long way toward preventing wavy 

 floors and uneven side walls, and when, as is often the case in the 

 attic, there is but one floor, it is vastly improved by the usual method 

 of selecting the best boards from the large quantity of sheathing used 

 for under floors, siding, and other portions of the house. 



Floor beams set in a brick, stone, or cement wall should be cut 

 at an angle to insure their falling without prying out the wall in 

 case of fire. This treatment also checks dry rot. 



If metal bridging is used, it must be supplemented with wood, 

 which hugs closer and firmer, and cannot rust. Thorough strutting 

 of timbers is imperative. 



Tie beams at plate line and in gables should be plentiful, and 

 crippling cross-herringboned. It makes firmer bracing, and in shrink- 

 ing holds better than w r hen set straight. Doubling every third or 

 fourth beam when a span is from eighteen to twenty feet is necessary 

 and makes a stronger girt or girder than single beams of equal size, 

 each piece of wood having a different grain. They should be slightly 

 crowned to allow for the usual sagging. Scantlings, purlins, 

 and wall and roof plates must be of suitable size, and free from 



