Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1885-1890, 1886-11-20
GREAT FALLS TRIBUNE.
BUILDING.
To thg Tribune:

mailing in short horizontal pieces between
the studs, a process which has its use, but
i ralueless for tie present purpose The
proper way is to cut in diagonal pieces,
which present considerable resistance to
the sagging Of the partition. The final
operation will be to try the partitions on
each side with a straight edge, and correct
the crooked studs by saving half through
them on the cancaye side, forcing them
into place and driving wedges into the in
cisions. The chimneys are next enclosed
with tuning, consisting ofacage Of studs,
supported by posts at the angles OF the
breast. These funings should be meas
ured to see that they are accurately placed
in the room and that they are of the pro
per dimensions; such details being little
regarded by the average Trainer. No
thing now remains but the fixing of the
grounds to prepare he inside of the
house for lathing and plastering. This
process will be spoken OF later on.
In city houses now is the time to put in
hot air pipes, bell wires, gas pipes, water
pipes, cite, but as buildings are not plumb
ed in Montana, the subject is passed.
While the operations are going on in
side, the outside finish has been rapidly
advancing, SO that the whole building
may be tight SO far as possible against
rain by the time the interior is given up
to the plasterers. The cutters are first
on, and the shingiing, beginning at the
caves, is carried to the top. Care should
be taken that the gutter is so placed as to
catch rain-water, bus allow snow to slide
over it. Young architects often find
their detail drawings for cornices defect
i've in this particular. For additional
protection against snow-water backing up
under the shingles, or the overflow OF the
gutter dribbling through behind the cor
nice, the gutter should be ploughed at
top and bottom, and "facias' inserted.
The shingling begins with adoubie curse
and the gauge is then marked off regular
ly to the top. Ordinary shingles, sixteen
inches long, should not show more than
four and q half inches to the weather, IN
less in very steep roofs. Each must be
nailed with two nails, which should be
galvanized if a very permanent roof is de-
sired. Common nails rust out long before
good shingles, we'll painted become un-
serviceable.
It is easy to Judge of the quality Of
shingles. Freedom from knots and cross
grain and az approximation to uniform
width, are the principal requisites.
Spruce shingles, which are unfit to use
in any but inferior buildings, and are
distinguished by their appearance and
smell, which differ completely from the
aromatic odor and silky grain of the
white CEDAR" from which these on best
roofs are made. The choice between
sawed and shaved shingles depends upon
circumstances. The latter allow water to
run OFF more freely, and are to be prefer
red if u%npalnted, while the former hold
paint better, and are therefore generally
used by architects.
In laying, the widest shingles are Sc
lected for the hips and valleys, where
cutting is Necessary, in order to give room
for two nails. Many of the best carpen
tiers lay hips so that the cut single viii
not come to the extreme edge, and tht
effect is picturesque, while the durability
of the roof is improved.
The painting of a single roof is i'm
portant. Many architects specify tina
each single shall be dipped in paint
some even requiring the paint to be hot
but this is tedious and expensive. A sim
pier and very good way is to paint eacl
course as it is laid; and the cheapest is t.
do it all at once after the roofers are GU
Of the way. The last process hastens tn
decay of the shingles, by forming littl
dams of paint which hold back the rain
water against the unprotected portion:
but is usually adopted. To prevent fin
snow in heavy storms from finding it
way into the house, one or two plies Q
tarred felt or paper should be laid unde
the shingles.
If the young architect is ambitious c
being able to say that no roof ever leake
that was built under his superintendent.
he will need to exercise both thorough
ness in inspection and skill in providin
for various contingencies. The wors
leaks come from improper position of til
cutters, by which wet snow sliding frol
the roof is caught and held back. It soo
freezes to the roof along the lowor edg