Part 5

READY ROOFING EXPERIENCE. You have probably read the advertisements of some manufacturers who claim that because they have had fifty to one hundred years’ experience (in some business or other), that they make the best ready roofing. We have been making felt, paper and roofing materials here in our own mills for nearly one hundred years (established in 1817) but WE REFUSE TO CLAIM that the length of time we have been established has anything to do with the real merit of Paroid Roofing. It shows only that we have had the right kind of experience. We maintain that the test of time is the only real test of a roofing. Paroid has stood this test.

THE OLD CRY OF THE IMITATORS. Most manufacturers warn you against “imitations” of their “genuine” ready roofing. Investigate, and you’ll find that the imitators themselves are the first to talk about imitations. The question of imitations has nothing to do with the merits of a particular roofing. Some imitations are often better than the originals; but there is only one way to prove it—the test of time is the test that tells. Paroid has stood this test.

PAROID IS MADE BETTER THAN OTHER READY ROOFINGS. There are three important things that enter into the manufacture of ready roofing; namely, the felt, saturation and the coating.

We make the felt for Paroid Roofing in our own mills because we could not entrust to others the making of the most important part of Paroid. If the felt is not right the roofing will not be. Do not run risks. Buy your roofing from manufacturers who make their own felt.

SATURATION AND COATING. The strong, well-made Paroid Roofing felt is soaked, not merely dipped, in a compound of our own, rendering every fibre of it absolutely proof against water, cold and heat. The felt is then given a thicker, smoother and more pliable coating than that on any other ready roofing. Compare samples and you will see and feel the difference. It is more flexible in cold, and it will not melt or run in the heat. It is more sightly, and lays easier and smoother than any other ready roofing.

WE WERE THE ORIGINATORS OF THE COMPLETE ROOFING KIT

Inside of each roll of Paroid is packed cement, nails, rust-proof caps, and complete directions for applying. Anyone can lay Paroid and get good results if the directions are carefully followed.

OUR PATENTED RUST RETARDING CAPS

Paroid is the only ready roofing supplied with rust retarding caps for applying the roofing to a building. They are square, and therefore, have more binding surface than the ordinary round caps. The nails are also coated with a rust retarding preparation.

PAROID FOR FARM AND POULTRY BUILDINGS

Paroid is adapted to all kinds of buildings and especially farm and poultry buildings. It makes a building warmer in winter and cooler in summer than other kinds of roofing. It will not taint rain water and is not affected by gases and fumes.

PAROID FOR SIDING

The next time you put up a poultry house, shed, or other farm building, lay Paroid on the roof yourself, and then apply it to the sides with battens. You will be surprised at the neat effect it gives, and it is more economical than clapboards and shingles.

OUR GUARANTEE

You run no risks when you buy Paroid. Every roll is sold on this guarantee.

Buy a roll of Paroid; open it; examine it; apply it to your roof; and then, if you are not satisfied that you have the best ready roofing on the market, send us your name and address and we will send you a check for the full amount you have paid for the roofing, including the cost of applying it.

Our dealers all over the country who handle Paroid will also make you this offer. If your dealer does not carry Paroid in stock, send us your order and check or money order direct. We will pay the freight.

PRICES

You can pay most any price for a ready roofing, and, like everything else, you get as much quality as you pay for. Paroid may cost more than other ready roofings the day you buy it, but it is less expensive after it is applied to your roof, because it will last longer. We maintain that the test of time is the test that tells, and Paroid has stood that test. Don’t make a mistake and buy a roofing that will go to pieces in a short time. If you would save money, choose the roofing that lasts the longest.

PRICE LIST

Paroid Roofing, 1-ply, $2.50 per square (100 sq. ft.). Paroid Roofing, 2-ply, $3.50 per square (100 sq. ft.).

These prices include extra roofing for laps and nails, rust-proof caps, cement, and directions for applying.

AMBOY, ILL., Dec. 29, 1905.

F. W. BIRD & SON, Chicago, Ill.

Please send me your up-to-date poultry and farm building plans. I use Paroid, and can find no equal. I am going to build a hog house, and will cover it with Paroid. Yours respectfully, F. M. BLOWERS.

Aug. 15, 1905.

MESSRS. F. W. BIRD & SON, East Walpole, Mass.

_Gentlemen_: Of three kinds of paper used this season on my bee hive covers, your Paroid has given such satisfaction that I would use nothing else in future.

Yours respectfully, E. H. DEWEY.

Great Barrington, Mass.

AKRON, OHIO, June 11, 1906.

F. W. BIRD & SON, Chicago, Ill.

_Gentlemen_: Enclosed you will find the slip that I received from you filled out with my address and a two-cent stamp, for which please send me the book “Practical Farm Buildings,” and oblige.

In regard to your Paroid Roofing will say that it is the best that I have seen to date, for durability, easiness to lay, and its wearing qualities.

I have used it on my poultry buildings for the last ten years, and if occasion demands that I shall need any more roofing for any additional poultry buildings PAROID it shall be.

So hoping to receive the book as soon as convenient for you to send it, I remain, Yours respectfully, PAUL C. BORK.

343 Hickory St.

BERLIN, CONN., Jan. 24, 1906.

F. W. BIRD & SON, East Walpole, Mass.

_Dear Sirs_: We find your Paroid roofing paper the very best we have ever used. We have thousands of visitors who are looking for information in regard to roofing paper each year, and in each and every instance we recommend your roofing paper. We have done this because we think it is the best out, and will take pleasure in recommending it in the future.

Very truly yours, WILLOW BROOK FARM.

CITY OF DETROIT, MICH., DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, March 28, 1906.

F. W. BIRD & SON, East Walpole, Mass.

_Gentlemen_: Please send me a copy of your book of farm and poultry building plans, and oblige. I have one building covered with your Paroid, and like it very much. It wears well and gives no trouble.

Yours truly, (_Signed_) PORTER MURPHY.

82 Perry St., Detroit, Mich.

NEPONSET RED ROPE ROOFING

For over twenty-five years Neponset has been the standard low cost roofing and siding. It must not be compared with tarred felts just because it costs about the same. Neponset will usually outlast them three to one.

Neponset won’t run and dry out like tarred felts. It is easier to apply and cleaner to handle.

Figure it out for yourself. A tarred felt costing the same as Neponset lasts only a few seasons. Neponset lasts at least from five to seven years and in most cases longer. If you are going to use a low cost roofing, Neponset will save you money.

Neponset makes a practically permanent siding, and if Paroid is too expensive for both roof and sides, we recommend Paroid for the roof and Neponset for the sides.

Neponset is put up in rolls 36 inches wide, containing, 100, 250 and 500 square feet. Fixtures and directions for applying Neponset are packed inside of each roll.

NEPONSET BLACK WATERPROOF PAPER is made especially for sheathing purposes, but it will last a year or two on the roof or sides of buildings. It costs less and is cleaner to handle than tarred felts. Neponset Black is put up in rolls 36 inches wide containing 250 and 500 square feet.

NEPONSET WATERPROOF SHEATHING PAPER

One of the most important items that every house builder ought to consider is that of sheathing papers. This important question, unless decided right, means an additional expense of many dollars in fuel each year. Sheathing papers are used to keep out cold and dampness, but only a few fulfill their purpose. Cold draughts penetrate cheap papers, and in a very short time these cheap papers disintegrate and become mere dust. A good waterproof paper repels dampness, keeps out the cold and lasts the life of a building. For over twenty-five years Neponset Papers have been the standard. Actual experiences have proved that Neponset saves one-third of the fuel required to heat a house, therefore, a big saving each year. Neponset acts as a blanket on a house it keeps out the cold and keeps in the heat. Don’t lay the foundations for an annual loss, save one-third of the money you would spend on fuel. That’s what Neponset has done for others, it will do it for you.

LYNNFIELD CENTRE, MASS., April 3, 1906.

MESSRS. F. W. BIRD & SON, East Walpole, Mass.

_Gentlemen_: Replying to yours of the 2nd, there is no photographer here that can take views. I am sending you a catalogue showing views we have half-tone plates for. If they will do I can loan them to you. The original photographs are lost. The long buildings shown, bird’s-eye view are covered with Neponset, put on nearly ten years ago; one coat of paint put on at the time, nothing done since and not a leak; appear in good condition now. Anything we can do for you let us know. CHAS. F. THOMPSON & CO.

NEWBURGH, N. Y., April 13th, 1906.

F. W. BIRD & SON, East Walpole, Mass.

_Gentlemen_: Your favor at hand. Samples of leaflets only had Neponset on. Hope that you will also send some with Paroid as we find, in many cases, customers prefer to pay the difference.

One of our roofs, about twelve hundred square feet, was covered with Red Rope some ten years ago. It had no care, but kept OK. until this season. Pretty good record for a cheap roof. Yours very truly, THE NEWBURGH LUMBER CO.

KANSAS CITY, Nov. 24, 1905.

THE KANSAS CITY ROOFING & CORRUGATING CO., Kansas City, Mo.

_Gentlemen_: Replying to yours of the 22nd inst., we covered our large lumber shed and barn with Neponset Red Rope Roofing two years ago this fall, and painted same at once, and to this day is in good condition and has given us entire satisfaction. Other kinds of roofing which we paid more money for do not seem to have given us the service that this has. We ask you to kindly advise us what is the best paint to repaint this with, and which is the best season of the year to use same. Yours very truly, BADGER LUMBER CO., (_Signed_) L. J. GILLES, Agent.

WAYLAND, N. Y., Oct. 20, 1906.

F. W. BIRD & SON, East Walpole, Mass.

_Gentlemen_: Will you please send me sample of sidings and roofings, and also prices? I want to get Neponset unless you have got something better. Neponset beats anything of the kind I ever used.

Yours truly, W. E. MOULTON.

PROSLATE ROOFING AND SIDING

PATENTED MAY 13, 1906

DESIGNED ESPECIALLY FOR PITCH ROOF HOUSES AND FOR A PERMANENT SIDING

SPECIAL FEATURES

DESCRIPTION. Proslate is our regular Paroid roofing material with an additional wearing surface (not a colored coating) of a mixture of paint and sand, making a _slate-like_ surface, _slate_ in color and effect. Proslate is an entirely new material—patented.

FOR PITCH ROOFS. Proslate is especially designed to take the place of shingles and clapboards for residences. Attractiveness and economy are both secured by using Proslate for pitch roofs. It is finished in 18-inch rolls, ready to lay, with ornamented edge.

Proslate is applied in the usual way—lapped, cemented and nailed—no waste by excessive overlapping—cement and fixtures of same slate color with complete directions for laying are packed in each roll. Any good carpenter can apply it.

Proslate is finished in rolls containing 122 square feet, sufficient to cover 100 square feet of surface and is sold on a basis of material enough to cover 100 square feet.

FOR FLAT ROOFS AND SIDING. For flat roofs and as a siding, we furnish Proslate in rolls 36 inches wide, plain straight edges. By the use of broad cleats, a very neat effect can be made on the sides of houses. Proslate for a siding is warmer than clapboards or shingles. It acts as a blanket.

GENERAL USE. As a permanent all round roof, we believe that Proslate represents the best material for the money yet made. It is good enough for residences, factories and railroad buildings. Shingles are unsatisfactory and cannot be used on flat roofs, porches, etc., and slate is too expensive. Proslate fills every requirement of a good roofing, well made with an extra weather surface, economical—permanent.

FLORIAN SOUND-DEADENING FELT

This material is used between floors as an insulator against sound. It is, without any exception, the cleanest and most effective sound-deadening felt made. The corrugations make small dead air cells when the felt is placed in position and this is considered to be the most effective method of deadening sound. Tests have proved that one sheet of Florian is equal to six sheets of ordinary deadening felt. Florian is also a good non-conductor of fire, heat and cold. It should be used between floors in every house to insure a well insulated building.

OTHER THINGS WE MAKE

We make Neponset and Kosat Insulating Papers for cold storage work; Parine Paint, especially for our own roofings, and all kinds of outside work; Tack, Screw, and Shoe boxes, all kinds of special papers and paper boxes.

We have had a large experience with all kinds of building and roofing construction, and if we can help you on any of your problems please be sure to write us.

F. W. BIRD & SON, MAKERS ESTABLISHED 1817

EAST WALPOLE, MASS. NEW YORK WASHINGTON CHICAGO

CANADIAN FACTORY AND OFFICE, HAMILTON, ONT. WESTERN CANADIAN OFFICE, WINNIPEG, MAN.