Architecture in the United States. 



235 



cities are proverbial : their extension is caused in nine cases out of 

 ten, by our wooden roofs. We feel their dangerous character, 

 for in case of fire, our first attention is always directed to the roofs 

 of the neighboring houses ; here our apprehensions fix themselves 

 most keenly, and on them the engines most unremittingly play. 

 " If the roof can be saved" is the universal cry, " all is safe." Is 

 it not most strange then, that people will still continue the practice 

 of roofing with such combustible materials, or that if they will do so, 

 that state authorities do not interfere and put a stop at once to the 

 evil ? The practice, so dangerous, often so widely destructive, cannot 

 even plead economy in its support. I have received from an emi- 

 nent architect in New York, some very valuable memoranda, shewing 

 the comparative expense of various kinds of roofing in thai city, which 

 will furnish us with some useful data : I regret that our limits will not 

 allow me to lay the whole before the reader. 



The following will shew the present prices of roofing in that city, 

 and the time each kind will last. 



Time which they 



Prices. will last on a roof 



20 In. white pine shingles, in three thick- ^ inclined 26° 30' 



nesses, laid on white pine boards, with square \ from $7 to 9* from 20 to 25 years. 



edges, per 100 superficial feet, ^ 



30 In. white cedar shingles, in three thick- ^ 



nesses laid on oak laths, the laths 1 inch by 



2 1-4 inches, 

 16 In. Welsh slate, laid on 1 1-4 inch plank, 



with square edges, close and leaded at the 



ridge, 

 16. In. Welsh slate, laid on oak laths, and plas- 

 tered between the laths with lime and sand 



mortar, and leaded. 

 Tile laid on oak laths 1 1-4 inch square, and 



pointed on the underside between the laths, 



with lime and sand mortar, 

 Common bright tin, with grooved edges, laid on " 



1 1-2 inch white pine plank, ploughed and I 



grooved, the groves of the tin first put togeth- 1 



er with white lead and well beat down. 

 16 Oz. sheet copper, (or one pound to the 



square foot,) with grooved edges laid on 1 1-2 



inch pine plank, grooved as above. 



$10 to 12 



35 to 40 



$12 to 14 " 35 to 40 



$14 to 16 « 40 to 45 



$12 to 15 



$18 to 20 



to 40 



60 to 70 



25 to 30 



55 to 60 



These prices include the expense of boarding, lathing and plastering. 



