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June .II, 1910 RECORD AND GUIDE '.1259 Fireproof Quality of Asbestos Roofing. Over a million times during the past ten years the country has witnessed the thrilling sight of burning buildings. In the year 1889 this cost the nation $123,- 046,833; ten years later the loss amounted to $153,597,830; while last year $204,000,- 000 worth of property was destroyed by fire. This constantly increasing annual flre loss in the United States has induced engineers interested in fire protection to seek with renewed zeal for all practical methods of lessening the danger of igni¬ tion and spread of flames. As a result of this, tile, vitrified facings, terra cotta, concrete construction and numerous other flre-'resisting materials Jhave been de¬ veloped for use in all parts of building except the roof, while but few important improvements have been made in rooflng materials, notwithstanding the fact that authorities claim that from 27 per cent, to 50 per cent, of the conflagration are the result of flames being communicated to adjoining buildings by burning sparks and embers falling on an inflammable roof. Factories, barns, etc., are probably more at the mercy of burning sparks and em¬ bers than other types of buildings, he- cause they are usually covered with so- called ready roofings, and nearly all roof¬ ings of this type are made of wool felt, rag stock, paper, coal tar and other highly infiammable materials. There is one roof¬ ing of this type, known as J-M Asbestos Rooflng, which is being largely used on factories and large buildings, which seems to overcome the objections to all others of this Type. It is said to be so fireproof that it w-ill withstand the flame of a blow-torch for an hour without being in¬ jured. This rooflng is made by the H. W, Johns-Manville Co., of New York, well known as manufacturers of asbestos prod¬ ucts. From the manufacturers we were able to get the following interesting Inforraa- tion regarding the manufacture of this roofing, which is made of asbestos (a stone) and Trinidad Lake asphalt (a mineral). The asbestos rock when it comes from the mines is in appearance much the same as other rock. When scientific¬ ally crushed, this rock produces long, tough fibres which are woven into cloth for asbestos theatre curtains, made into sheets of felt for roofing, and treated in various ways for making hundreds of dif¬ ferent fireproofing materials. In making this roofing, several sheets of this asbestos felt are thoroughly satu¬ rated with genuine ^Trinidad Lake As¬ phalt, well known as the most permanent waterprooflng material. These sheets are then cemented firmly together w^ith this asphalt, making one homogeneous mass. This, then, constitutes an actual covering of stone, which, because of its all-mineral nature, not only offers to a building pro¬ tection against fire, w^ater, wind and weather, but which also naturally cannot rot, rust, melt, run or crack, and requires no painting to preserve it. A copy of the very handsomely illus- tratted catalogue, which we received from the manufacturers, will, no doubt, gladly be sent to anyone inquiring for it. Installations Speak Louder Than Words. When a manufacturing company can point to this building or that residence as one where its product is installed, it is a prima facie evidence that satisfaction is being given and that that manufactur¬ ing company can deliver the goods; in other words, can do what it lays claim to. But when the building indicated is a high- class one, where it is common knowledge that no inferior equipment went into it, the recommendation is all the higher. It is therefore hardly necessary to do more than mention the fact that the Hill- Canton Sanitary Laundry Dryers went into the Arinsmear apartments, Hart¬ ford, Conn.; the Spencer Trask residence, Saratoga Springs. N. Y.; the A. L. du Pont residence, Wilmington, Del.; the Bishop Strong Day Nursery, Fall River, Mass.; the Fluri Construction Company's apartments, 176th st and St. Nicholas av, and the Henry Guttman apartments, 174th st and St. Nicholas av, this city; the Drexel apartments, Philadelphia, Pa.; and the Columbia apartments, Washington, D. C. This device is especially designed for private residences, hotels, apartment houses, hospitals and institutions, and the New York distributing offices are at 47 ■ and 49 West 13th st, telephone, 4167 Chelsea. A Metal Substitute lov Ceramic Tile. The problem, frequently difflcult of so¬ lution, and generally encountered by building owners and architects, especially where a limit of cost for equipment and decoration is previously fixed, is how to finish walls and ceilings in the most du¬ rable and ornate yet inexpensive w-ay. There is a material on the raarl;et now which offers one way out of this diffi¬ culty. It is an improved enameled metal tiling, that comes in any design and color. Heretofore the element of rust has en¬ tered into this type of decoration, es¬ pecially in bath rooms w.liere quickly changing temperature blisters wall pa¬ per and tinting, warps wood trim and even cracks plaster. Tile and marble, of course, are expensive. The aim, there¬ fore, was to find a metal that would not rust or corrode but which at the same time would sustain a coat of enamel, yet would not craize or blister. After con¬ siderable study the New Tork Metal Cell¬ ing Company, 539 West 24th st, produced w.hat they call "Enametile." It is put on a zinc backing. This" material can be washed and even scrubbed without do¬ ing damage to it, as zinc is a non-rusting and non-corroding metal. It is backed up on the wall with cement so that it can¬ not be dented and it cannot crack. It is made in a variety of designs or special designs can be made to conform with architect's plan of decoration. The fact that this material is shipped to Italy South America, Hawaii, the Phil¬ ippines and. in fact, all parts of the world, attests its popularity and general utility. The New Tork Metal Ceiling Company manufactures its own product in this city and can therefore make quick de¬ liveries of metal celling and any of its products in remarkably short time, as large quantities of the finished product are constantly carried in stock. One Way to Keep Subiu-ban Cellars Dry. Many a homeseeker has bought a property in the suburbs only to find in the w-inter and spring that a serious menace to his health and happiness exists in his porous cellar. Sorae of them have spent considerable money in doctors' Bills and others have sought waterproofing process, simple in application, that will not require the presence of melting kettles and at the same time do what is'promised for it. Mr. Douglas Robinson, of the real estate flrm of Douglas Robinson, Charles S. Brown Co., had this experience in his East Orange home. But Mr. Robinson's attention was di¬ rected by a friend to a product of the Universal Compound Company. 449 West 2Sth St., known to the trade as Exhydro- plastic. This is a water and damp proof¬ ing material that is applied cold by any¬ one who can handle a trowel. No heating or melting is required, therefore there is no litter incidental to its application. It mav be laid as a course in cement con¬ struction with another layer of cement or concrete over it. This was done in certain operations in the Panama Canal zone. It fills all pores and voids in brick, cement and masonry walls, and when applied on such surfaces forms a perfect bond with coats of plaster stucco or cement mortar. Tlie Selling Arguments for Metal Ceilings. A campaign of education is being con¬ ducted by the Berger iVIanufacturing Company on the subject of metal ceilings and their uses, and the results have proved surprisingly great, according to our informant. The keynote of the cam¬ paign is that the steel ceiling has direct and Important advantages to every build¬ ing owner, architect and contractor. Therefore, some of the pulling arguments used to show the advantages of Berger's "Classik" steel ceilings are interesting as well .as enlightening. This company PjOints out that the steel ceilinar improves the appearance of a room, therefore making it more habit¬ able. Furthermore, it says that this Ivind of w-all and ceiling finish is the most servicable known regardless of use, size or style of apartment. Reference is made to the methods for rejuvenating delap- idated plaster, by nailing over it, furring strips and to it attach the steel plates. For quickly restoring burned-out build¬ ings to tenancy this kind "of ceiling is said to be indefectible. The fact that ceilings of this kind do not shrink or crack, nor need repairs, appeals strongly to property owners, not to mention the fact that they are fire-resisting. They are moderate at first cost, but their long life makes them economical in the long run. Berger ceilings are clearly stamped, says our informant, are made of No. 29 gauge open-hearth steel specially an¬ nealed for flne stamping, the dies are re¬ productions of skilfully modeled originals, and the priming paint used by this house gives a durable and tenacious finishing surface. "The Standard Lap Joint" con¬ struction peculiar to Berger ceilings, it is pointed out, embodies a concave surface at the inner side of the bead, ma-king it fit snugly. The outer edge of the bead is concealed when over-lapped, forming a dustproof construction. This company maintains a free ad¬ visory service. If sketch and dimensions of room or rooms to be covered are sent, giving measurements from point to point, also indicating height of cornice permis¬ sible above the door and window* tops, the company will prepare and submit free suggestions, drawings and estimates. "Pennanite" In a Hoboken Building. Schmalz & Sons, bakers, of Hoboken, recently erected another large reinforced concrete building in that city, and, as a result of nuraerous tests of various paints for whitening and coloring the walls and ceilings, M. Ewing Fox & Company's "Permanite" was specified and used. But this company's "Permanite" is in popular demand, principally because it is permanent and easily applied. In the case of the Schmalz building, one heavy coat was applied by brush directly to the raw concrete surface. It produced a splen¬ did, snowy white effect. The ceilings and upper part of the walls were all painted with white "Permanite," and the lower parts were wainscoted with gray "Per¬ manite." M. Ewing Fox & Sons, of 136th st and Rider av. New Tork, also manufacture "Muralite," w-hich is a decorative prepa¬ ration, applied like a paint for sand-fin¬ ished surfaces and plaster. It does not rub off, and leaves no brush marks. It has had a wide use in this city, and, in fact, throughout the country in high-grade op¬ erations.