Paroid Roofing

Partial View of Our Mills on the Neponset River at East Walpole, Mass. Paroid is Made from Start to Finish Right in Our Own Mills.

Our products are for the man who is planning new buildings, or about to make repairs to old ones; and we have tried to tell in the following paragraphs how each one of our materials is particularly adapted to the different kinds of work for which it is made. Our claims are based on actual experiences and if you are in the market for roofing or sheathing papers, you will find that our materials will save you money. First of all, we are going to tell you about our Paroid Roofing, because the roof is one of the most important parts of every building. If it is not right, there is no end of trouble.

THE DIFFICULTIES OF CHOOSING A GOOD ROOF. There are about thirty different brands of ready roofing, and for most of them the same claims are made. Under those conditions, how are you going to choose the one that will prove most economical for you? There is only one test that will tell, and that is the test of time. Of course you can’t make that test yourself, but it is for your interests to find out if others have made it and for how long.

The most economical roofing is not the one that costs you the least per roll when you buy it, but the roofing that costs you least per year of service. We are going to tell you here the most important facts about Paroid; how it compares with shingles, metal and other kinds of ready roofing, and then you can be your own judge.

PAROID vs. TIN AND IRON ROOFS. The best quality of tin, iron and steel roofings cost much more than Paroid at the start, and then there is always the additional cost of painting each year. In spite of all you can do, a metal roof will rust out and spring leaks which cannot be permanently repaired. Paroid cannot rust; it costs less than metal roofs when you buy it, and less to apply. Anyone can lay Paroid. One example that proves the superiority of Paroid over metal roofs was shown when the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, who had tried different kinds of roofing on their Chicago train sheds, including a good tin roof, used Paroid when the tin roof failed. The Paroid Roofing is still in good condition.

PAROID vs. SHINGLES. If you have recently asked your lumber dealer for a price on shingles, you are probably looking for a substitute because of the exorbitant price asked for them. Lumber is scarce everywhere, and shingles are growing poorer in quality and higher in price every day. The test of time has proved that Paroid is the real substitute for shingles, and it has many advantages which shingles do not have. Figure this out for yourself. The first cost of Paroid is less than that of a medium grade of shingles. You can lay Paroid yourself and it requires an experienced man to lay shingles. Shingles catch fire easily, while Paroid is practically fireproof against sparks, cinders and embers.

Read what a large lumber dealer in Maine says about the comparative cost of shingles and Paroid Roofing. He is right in the heart of the shingle belt, and naturally the difference is not so great as in other sections of the country where shingles are not so plentiful.

Colony chicken houses on farm of G. M. Gowell, of the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station, Orono, Maine. The roofs are covered with PAROID, sides with NEPONSET.

See plans and description on page 17.

One-ply Paroid, which is usually heavy enough for the roof and sides of most farm and poultry buildings, will save you at least 35% over the cost of shingles. Here are the figures showing the comparative cost of one-ply Paroid and B. C. Cedar Shingles.

Clear cedar shingles per square $3.10

4 lbs. nails at 3¢ per lb. .12

Average cost of carpenter labor 1.25 4.47

Cost per square foot 45¢

1-ply Paroid per square $2.50

Laying .35 2.85

Cost per square foot 28½¢

Lumber dealers all over the United States and Canada who previously sold shingles exclusively, now sell large quantities of Paroid Roofing. That tells the whole story.

In the core of each roll of Paroid sufficient nails, rust-proof caps, cement, and complete directions for applying are packed. You can lay it yourself with a hammer and knife. One-ply Paroid, costing about one half as much as shingles, is heavy enough for most farm and poultry buildings. For barns, stables, and other large buildings we recommend two-ply, which is heavier and thicker.

PAROID vs. OTHER READY ROOFINGS

There are certain qualities that all ready roofings must have, but the important question is, How long do they keep these qualities? We have made our story short, but at the same time complete enough, so that you can be your own judge when you compare our claims for Paroid with the claims of other manufacturers.

A hog house on a Vermont farm, covered with PAROID.

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.

Paroid covers the Plant Industry Buildings, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C.

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.

Roof of Brooder house, covered with PAROID, White Leghorn Poultry Yards, Waterville, N. Y.

See plan and description on page 12.

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.

Largest stock barn on the largest stock farm in Minnesota. Eight hundred squares of PAROID put on roof of this barn by the farm hands themselves.

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.

D. J. Lambert says, “PAROID is all right;” and he knows.

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.

Bird’s-eye View of Egg Plant. W. Harry Owen’s Farm, Vineyard Haven, Mass. All buildings are covered with PAROID.

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.

Meadow Brook Farm poultry plant, Dallas, Pa. Roofs are covered with PAROID.

Monmouth Poultry Farm, Freneau, N. J. Roof covered with PAROID.

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.

PAROID covers a Vermont barn and silo.

The Largest Duck Farm in the World. Duck breeding house, roof and sides covered with PAROID, Weber Bros., Pondville, Mass.

Willow Brook Farm, Berlin, Conn. All poultry buildings are covered with PAROID. See testimonial below.

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.

Pigeonry on Jordan’s Hackney Stud Farm, Plymouth, Mass. Covered with PAROID.

Round House of the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad, near High Bridge, N. Y.

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.

Tongue Point Lumber Co., Astoria, Oregon. Covered with PAROID.

Woodbury & Walker Block, Burlington, Vermont. Roofed with PAROID.

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.

Bird’s-eye View of Chas. F. Thompson & Co.’s Poultry Plant, Lynnfield Centre, Mass. See testimonial.

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.

A Pennsylvania Duck Farm. NEPONSET is especially adapted for poultry houses.

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.

Dancing Pavilion, Easton, Pa. Roof is covered with NEPONSET.

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.