Evening star., 1941-06-21
PIasfics Take Place
Of Aluminium Now
Needed in Defense
New Materials Prove
Satisfactory for Trim
OF Floors and Sinks
Bv LAWRENCE CROLIUs.

By LANhENCE OhoLlCS.
With more and more aluminium
being marched off to war in the
form of airplanes and other grim
products it has become necessary
for many makers of home equip
ment to turn to substitute materials.
Various kinds of plastics are finding
widespread use in this service and
in many cases are doing an even
better job than the products Tor
which they are pinch-hitting.
During the last few years alu-
minum holdings have become very
popular for the trimming up OF
floor and wall coverings. as we'll as
for edgings and nosings for sinks
and modern table tops. Now these
holdings are being made of hand
some and highly colorful plastic
materials and they are not only
easily worked, but they PROVIDE
excellent durability against damag-
ing liquids like alcohol, gasoline and
various acids. Lighted cigarettes
will tend to soften the surface OF
these holdings if they are placed
directly against them, but that
isn't such a good idea with any
material. The plastic will not burn,
however.
These new holdings are being
made in a wide range of shapes
Including inside and outside corners,
ran holdings. holdings for the
joining of panels in bathroom tile
walls. as we'll as plain trim. II you
really want to be fancy you can
get these colored holdings with
different color inserts so that any
color scheme or type of decoration
can be followed with ease. This
material is easily bent, nailed or
glued and can be installed with
a minimum of effort. Colors which
are now available include crimson,
let black and bone white, and you
can get three different color inserts
of blue. green and brown.
X X x
Every home suffers from the i'll
effects of fingers which fail to hit
electric light switch plates. Finger
prints ring every Well-used switch
plate causing pretty unslghtly
area which is hard to clean and
definitely an eyesore. Here again
plastics spring into the breach
and make it possible for you TO
protect those vulnerable areas and
save yourself a great deal of trouble
and expense.
Shields are now being made Of
colored plastics which not only ward
off wandering fingers. but Will also
add a decorative touch. They are
being made in colors which will
harmonic with any kind OF wall
finish. and the designs themselves
are quite attractive 1t is a simple
matter to install these clever new
devices because they fit under the
ordinary switchplate when it has
been removed and all you have to
do is screw the switchplate back
into place with the new shield held
tight against the wall
The makers of these shields also
make plastic switchplates which you
can Use to replace your old metal
ones if you want to make an all
plastic" installation In fact, you
can obtain an interesting new
luminous plastic switch plate if you
want to equip your home with the
latest thing in blackout protection.
House address numbers which are
easily read at night are now being
made of new crystal-clear plastic.
The backs of these looking
numbers have a mosaic of minute
saucer shapes in relief which not
only reflect light from street lamps
and auto headlights but cause the
whole number to glow as though
1t had a light behind it.
These new numbers are mounted
and finished in thin metal and are
outlined by a plain transparent rim
of the same plastic. They are
quite inexpensive and are easily put
in place with a screw located at the
top and bottom of each digit.
Note: For further information
about any of the products de-
scribed here, write Mr.. Crolius,
The Evening Star, and inclose a
stamped, self addressed envelope.