224 



CANADIAN FARM YEAR BOOK. 



point sufficient to penetrate the roof 

 it loses force and readies the earth 

 ^ without damage by means of cables 

 attached to the corners of the metal 

 roof and extending into the ground. 



Pay strict attention to where the 

 locks on the shingles are folded as 

 here if anywhere the defects in the 

 metal will shov/ up. 



If the material seems to thave bent 

 without cracking the iron or the gal- 

 vanizing, then it is pretty safe to buy 

 this shingle for this is a greater test 

 than the roof will ever likely be called 

 upon to stand. 



It is wise to note the appearance of 

 the shingle as it oosts no more to have 

 a neat looking roof than it does for a 

 humped loose lock and unsightly pat- 

 tern and parti-cular attention should 

 (be given to the provision for nailing 

 to the roof. 



SHEET METAL FOR BUILDINGS. 



Sheet metal is fireproof. Here lies 

 perhaps its greatest virtue, and one 

 that can hardly "be over-valued. It is 

 also lightning-proof. When a metal 

 roof is properly "grounded," lightning 

 may strike it with no more effect than 

 if it struck out in a lake. 



Sheet metal is comparatively light in 

 weight, imposing no strain on the 

 structure, and permitting the safe em- 

 ployment of light and inexpensive sup- 

 ports. 



It is practically immune from affec- 

 tion by extremes of heat and cold. It 

 will not snap with frost and ice, nor 

 will it curl up, warp and twist under 

 the summer sun. It does not retain, on 

 into the night, the heat infused into it 

 by day, but will cool off quickly, mak- 

 ing sleeping quarters much more com- 

 fortable. This latter feature applies 

 more particularly, iperhaps, to teme 

 plates than to any of the other metals. 



Sheet anetal roofing presents a 

 smooth surface, free from cracks and 

 crevices. It thus affords no grip for 

 snow, hut permits same to slide off 

 freely without freezing, and the con- 

 sequent "back-watering" and leaking. 

 Its smooth hard surface also permits 

 of its l>eing walked on without dam- 

 age. It also admits of a secure and 

 watertight junction at valleys and 

 hips. The joints of a sheet metal roof 

 are invariably dose and snug fitting. 

 For this reason, it is rarely disturbed 

 (by violent winds and cyclones — the 



wind can get no purchase under it. 



The ibig item of cost in a sheet metal 

 roof is material. The small item is 

 laJbor. The purchaser thus has the 

 satisfaction of knowing that the 'bulk 

 of his money is actually entering into 

 the life and service of his roof — it is 

 not being paid merely for laying it. 

 This rapidity and ease of laying is 

 also of advantage in another way, tn 

 that it admits of the buyer laying the 

 roof himself, or with unskilled help 

 only, if it is not convenient to hire it 

 done. This last clause applies in par- 

 ticular to the more simple, ibut none 

 the less excellent, forms of galvanized 

 shingles, tiles, etc. 



Sheet metal roofing is durable. ('Bear 

 in mind that we are speaking of relia- 

 ble materials only.) Plenty at metal 

 roofs are in evidence to-day which 

 were laid 30, 50 and 60 years ago, and 

 which, by all appearances, are still 

 good for many years' service. iHow 

 many times they have saved their re- 

 spective buildings from destruction by 

 fire or lightning can only be a matter 

 of conjecture. 



iMuch harm has undou1>tedly been 

 done to the good name of metal roofing 

 by the use in some localities o f cheap 

 material, which has proven short-lived. 

 This should in nowise ibe held against 

 the iproducts of which this article 

 treats, as if good material is used, 

 there is ample evidence to prove that 

 it will give generations of satisfactory 

 service. 



For rural districts, sheet metal has 

 an added advantage, in that it sheds 

 dean rain water — ^and more of it. 

 None can soak in, so it all flows off. 

 It further has the property of con- 

 densing and shedding the dew, a fair 

 area of roof often shedding a quarter 

 or ihalf-lbarrel in. a single night in an 

 otherwise dry season. 



In ipoint of appearance sheet metal 

 roofing can satisfy the most exacting 

 tastes. It is made in a range of styles 

 and patterns suitable for every con- 

 ceiTa'ble sort of building. The plain 

 severe lines of the standing seam and 

 similar styles look neat and service- 

 able for industrial buildings, while the 

 numerous patterns of embossed shin- 

 gles and tiles afford the home-owner 

 a "Chance to select something to ac- 

 cord with any style of architecture. 



Sheet metal can be painted very 

 quickly and very cheaply. The paint 



