Details of Finish 79 



which it is most important to protect. Wall shingles should be treated in 

 the same way. 



Inside stain should be applied before puttying and the putty be coloured 

 to match it. This stain should be wiped with an old cloth, so that no surplus 

 may collect and give a painty effect to the finish. Outside finish, if stained, 

 should be treated in like manner. 



Stained and hardwood finish usually receive an application of wood filler* 

 two coats of shellac or varnish, each of which is rubbed down to a dull finish 

 with pumice and water. Floors may have an application of linseed oil, and 

 are finished with hard wax, well rubbed in. 



The above treatments vary slightly in different localities and according to 

 different authorities. 



All exterior woodwork, if it is to have a natural finish, should receive a 

 coat of wood filler and one or two coats of spar varnish. It should be re- 

 varnished every year. 



Much could be said of hardware that would be superfluous, and much advice 

 given that would not be followed, since these matters must be decided by 

 individual taste. 



Briefly, all hardware should be good in design, and simple and effective 

 in its working. The leaning toward simplicity is advisable, because it lessens the 

 care, if for no other reason. 



There are many manufacturers who are turning out excellent designs, both new 

 ones and reproductions of old work. Their catalogues are full of good suggestions. 



As to material, brass comes easily first. It requires some attention however, and 

 yet for front-door fittings nothing could be better. Bronze is effective, and, in 

 several ways, superior to brass; it takes care of itself, and requires little attention. 

 Glass knobs are made in many interesting and novel forms, many of which are 

 excellent. Care should be taken, however, to select such patterns as are not 

 likely to come out of their setting; a knob in the hand is hardly worth two in 

 the door. For cheaper work, some patterns of the porcelain knob are satisfactory. 



In late years the old-fashioned knocker has received a new lease of life, and 

 some very good reproductions are being manufactured from which to select. 

 Bell pulls may get out of order and batteries run dry, but the door knocker can 

 generally be*relied upon. 



All door hinges should be of the "loose-joint" pattern, which permits the 

 door to be lifted from its hangings. In heavy doors the "loose-pin" butt is 

 better than the "loose-joint." The pin can be drawn out at the top, making 

 its manipulation in unhanging easier than with the other pattern. 



It is best not to include the cost of hardware in the general contract. Far 

 better that the owner select the hardware in the presence of the contractor and 

 pay for it himself. The contractor under these circumstances can give con- 

 siderable advice. The hardware thus purchased can then be set by him as 

 a part of his contract. 



When the hardware is thus furnished, the contractor should formally 

 notify the owner, at least two weeks in advance of the time it is required, so as 

 to allow for any reasonable delay in filling the order. 



