Improvements in the Roofing and External Covering of Buildings.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Dec., 1895-Accepted, 25th Jan., 1896
D
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Roofing and External Covering of Buildings.
We, WILHELM SCHMITT, Merchant, in Förde, Germany and EDUARD KAUERT,
Surveyor, in Grevenbrück, Germany, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner. the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :—
The ordinary roofings of buildings are, as is well known, uncomfortably hot in
summer and very cold in winter and they have also the disadvantage of being.
neither water nor snow proof especially at the top under the slates or tiles. Slate
or paper pulp roofs are also liable to be partially or wholly uncovered during a
storm.
This invention has for its object to overcome these defects by using a roofing:
and outer covering which can be made in one piece and which has strips or pieces.
of wire netting or:gauze embedded in it.
We make our new roofing as follows:-
Upon a plank framing we stretch, up to a height of 6 to 7 centimetres, either
tinned or zinced wire netting the meshes of which may be of any suitable size
preferably from 20 to 30 millimetres. This wire netting is secured in place by:
means of nails and it is supported at intervals. by means of pieces of wood, iron, or
such like.. When the wire netting is stretched a mass of previously prepared
asphalt, cement, lime, or any other like and well known impermeable material is
violently thrown on and through the netting so as to form a stratum or layer of
about 12 to 14 mim thick which is firmly compressed whilst its outer surface
is smoothed or polished and may be also ornamented to give it a nice or pleasing
appearance.
The whole roof, which may be formed in one piece with the ridge, is absolutely
impermeable even when the wooden frame becomes deficient and rotten. The roof
is cool in summer and warm in winter and can, moreover, withstand the worst
weather and the greatest storms. It is also fire proof and will last several
years without requiring to be repaired. The first cost is also very small.
The following compounds, which have been found specially suitable for making
the roofing, are giving by way of example:
(1.) Asphalt compound: About 30 lbs. of Trinidad asphalt are mixed
with 60 lbs. of coal tar and the whole is boiled for about an hour, after which
period 10 lbs. of Portland cement and as much saw-dust and some dried moss or
peat are mixed with the mass and gradually heated. After the compound has been
laid on the roof and its surface made somewhat level, lime or cement in powder is
spread over it and then the surface smoothed by means of a board or by a hand
roller. After about 14 days the roof can be besmeared with asphalt tar
(1 part Trinidad asphalt to 2 parts coal tar).
The use of Trinidad asphalt and coal tar gives the mass considerable cohesion
and tenacity and also makes it thoroughly waterproof.
(2.) Cement compounds :-Several mixtures may be used, but the most suitable is
the following
12 parts Portland cement, 10 parts pure sand, 6 parts slaked lime, and one part
infusorial earth. This material is used and applied in the same manner as
before described and its surface is polished with an iron plate and subsequently
.ornamented.
:
(3.) Lime compound :-About 4 parts of hair lime and 1 part Portland cement.

page_text: This compound is manipulated as before described and is subsequently besmeared
with asphalt tar or with oil colours.
(4.) Clay compound :-Argillaceous clay is mixed with fine coal ash and dried
moss or peat and is subsequently applied in the same manner as the before described
compounds, being perhaps laid on a little thicker, say up to 20 millimetres. When
the compound is dry the roof is twice besmeared with asphalt tar.
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The covering of the outside of buildings is effected in precisely the same manner
with the exception that no wood framing is required.
The work can be done by any workman without having had previous
experience.
Such roofs and coverings are, besides being cheap and durable, of very light
weight.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
consider novel and desire to claim is :-
1. Roofs and coverings of buildings made of plastic waterproof compounds, such
as described, having wire netting embedded in them, substantially as and for the
advantages hereinbefore set forth.
2. The method of roofing and covering buildings consisting in stretching wire
netting upon a frame and then covering the netting with a plastic waterproof
compound substantially as hereinbefore set forth.
3. The several waterproof compounds for roofing or covering buildings
substantially as hereinbefore set forth.
Dated this 21st day of December 1895-
H. D. FITZPATRICK,
70 Wellington Street, Glasgow, Agent.