The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1872-03-07
GRAVEL ROOFS AND FIRE.
From Western Rural.

1IOm w CSGeEu
A gravel and composition roof, If com
posed of proper material and rightly put
on, comes the nearest to an actual fire
proof covering to building, of anything
now in use in this country and in proof
of the assertion we will refer the readpr
to facts as they now exist, not only in De
tro-t, but In other cities where they have
been subjected to severe tests.
1t Is we'll known here that the Detl DIT
hremen look sharp after every other kind
OF roof at fire, and leave the gravel
and composition with but little, if any
attention, thus acknowledging their su
periority in resisting fire. It is also
known from experience that either tin,
slate or ron root, as soon as they are ex
posed to great heat, form sort of ven
tllator caused by the solder melting from
the tin, thus leaving the covering in de
tached parts, and aiding the spreading OF
the fire instead of preventing it. The
heat will also cause an iron roof to cull
and twist from it's fastenings, thus making
1t useless as regards combining the FIRE,
and slate forms SORT of sieve when tx
posed to any great amount of heat, and Is
also dangerous by cracking and flying il
pieces When water Is thrown on it, while
the slate is exposed to a great heat J..
has been ascertained by examination that
a composition roof, made from the righ
kind of materials such az are used BY tn.
firm that have covered some of the best
buildings in this city, have resisted fire
In every case until a stream of water
could be brought to bear upon the burn
1ng building.
The reasons of the superior ty OF good
gravel and composition roof undoubtedly
a;e that the composition, if made from
the proper materials, make the roof air
{ ght and in case of fire the heat causes
such an intense smoke that it stiles til G
flame aud prevents even the boards on
which it is laid from igniting or burning
to any extent, and until the rafters and
all other support to the roof is burned
away it remains compact and firm. We
could, If necessary, cite scores of practi
cal tests to which the composition roo
has been subjected, both in this city and
elsewhere. Several articles have appear
ed in print, calculated to bring all kind
Of composition roofing into dlsrepute, ev.
identity written by persons interested in
HOAAS NbAO4 EANSC5O III AluU VI uldlCI1dI u
be used, or else they were so ignorant OF
the whole subject that they could not tell
q good gravel roof from a mosquito bar
Another reason why gravel roof Of the
kind we mention Is preferable, is the fact
that good and durable article can be put
on for about one-third the price of tin,
and about one quarter the cost of slate :;
therefore, it must certainly be the moss
desirable for those building new, or re
pairing old buildings with limited means.
But, says one, it is not always good poll
cy to buy the cheapest, especially in SO
Important an article as the covering Of
store or dwelling. But, we answer, if as
good an article or better can be obtained
for the lesser price, it certainly would be
useless expenditure to pay more.
We say that a gravel or composition
roof, composed of good materials, is the
safest, cheapest, and, with little atten
ton, quite as durable as any other now in
use in this country.
A PRACTICAL MECHANIC.
Detroit, Mich.