The Country House 



The best material for flashing is copper; next to that is lead, which is, 

 however, hardly second best. There are two methods of flashing, that of the 

 long and that of the short pieces. 



The first method consists of using long strips of metal, ordinarily from 16 to 

 2O inches wide, laid lengthwise of the angle and soldered together. This is 

 tacked at the edges, with the roof covering overlapping it (in case of valleys), 

 or vice versa (in the case of hips). In some parts of Maine the open valley done 

 in this way shows some 2 feet of flashing on each pitch, while the gutter flashing 



extends up over the roof some 3 feet 

 before it reaches the shingles. This 

 method, though ugly, is effective where 

 snow r is plentiful and where heat is not 

 excessive enough to cause much expan- 

 sion. Shrinkage and expansion are the 

 great drawbacks to long flashings; they 

 are apt to pull the metal out of shape, 

 causing bad leaks. Were it not for 

 the fact that the ordinary gutter flashing 

 extending under the shingles were 

 punched full of holes in the nailing on 

 of the roof covering, this last exposed 

 method would not be made necessary. 



The second method consists in using 

 short pieces instead of long, which over- 

 lap each other, unsoldered. This allows 

 for contraction and expansion, and, for 

 the average climate of this country, is a 

 better method. In reality this flashing 

 is a flexible shingle, laid in courses to 

 conform with the roof covering. It is 

 ordinarily, for valleys and hips, cut in a 

 keystone form, so that when in place 

 the outside edges are perpendicular to 

 the eaves and ridges, and they should be 

 fully 1 8 inches long and 10 wide at the 

 bottom or narrow part. 



Valleys are either open or closed. The open type is most common, and is in 

 reality an open drain. It should be w r ider at the bottom than at the top, so as 

 to induce the descent and loosening of snow lodged in it. The close type shows 

 only the slight ends of the flashing, the shingles extending fully into the angle. 



We have already shown how the lower portion of the roof can be treated to 

 prevent snow leakage and at the same time avoid the ugly exposed flashing half 

 way up the roof. In a similar manner, the valley may be treated. It requires 

 simply a wide drain under the valley, the details of which are easily figured out. 

 Some arrangement of this sort with the close valley will serve as a most excellent 

 safeguard against snow leakage. 



Entrance motive to house at Philadelphia, Pa. Walter F. 

 Price, architect. A good combination of stone, plain rough- 

 cast and half-timber work. The carving is delightfully crisp 

 and simple 



