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We are often asked if our metal shingles are as cheap as wood shingles.
While we cannot consistently say they are not; still, if we say they are,
they refer to our price list, which necessitates an explanation something
like this:
We will suppose a dwelling is to be built to cost, say $2,500. Such a
house will usually require about 20 squares of roof covering, which,
if done with wood shingles, fixes the cost of fire insurance about
one-quarter of one per cent. higher than a metal roof during its
existence. This extends not only to the house, but all contained in such
roofed houses. And this is the case, no matter how good the wood shingles
are.
In making this comparison, we will consider such shingles as are
generally used in the older settled portions of the country. We are aware
that shingles made from well-matured timber, straight-grained, free from
sap and wind-shakes, full length, hand drawn to five-eighths of an inch
at the butt, four inches wide, and carefully put on make a good, durable
roof. But shingles of that kind are only to be had in the thinly settled
portions of the country.
It is the broad, thin, split or sawed shingles, found in all markets,
which we contend are more expensive than our metal shingles. These do
not last, on an average, more than fifteen years, and after ten years
the repairs are a continual expense until removed and replaced with new
material, which is not often done until some of the woodwork is badly
damaged, and ceiling cracked and stained from frequent leakages. On the
other hand, _tin shingles will last for any length of time, if painted
once in every five or six years, and show no perceptible wear_.
Cost of a TIN SHINGLE Roof for a period of Fifteen Years.
Twenty squares of Tin Shingles, at $6.75 per square $135 00
Labor of putting on same 10 00
One coat of paint after roof is laid 8 00
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Total cost of same $153 00
One coat of paint at expiration of five years 10 00
One coat of paint at expiration of ten years 10 00
One coat of paint at expiration of fifteen years 10 00
Insurance on $2,500 for fifteen years, at one-half of
one per cent. per annum 187 50
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Total cost at expiration of fifteen years $370 50
Cost of a WOOD SHINGLE Roof for a Period of Fifteen Years.
Twenty squares of Wood Shingles, at $3.75 per square $65 00
Putting on same 20 00
Expense of five years’ repairs, after expiration of
ten years; damage to roof and ceiling caused by
leakage not counted 15 00
Insurance on $2,500 for fifteen years, at three-quarters
of one percent. per annum 281 25
Expense of covering at expiration of fifteen years 85 00
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Total $466 25
=Making a difference in favor of Tin Shingles in a
period of fifteen years of= =$95.75=