Show 41 to the AILING HOUSE ba by ROGER B WHITMAN 1 1 0 roger roeer B whitman service canvas decking how can I 1 cover a Q QUESTION porch floor with steamboat decking twelve ounce canvas costs 33 cents a yard and 24 ounce canvas costs 75 cents will the difference in cost be justified how should the canvas be laid answer get heavy canvas and buy a kind that is intended for the purpose the best qualities will not shrink and they have a waterproof water proof ing treatment you should start with a flat deck of closely fitted boards with no uneven places on this pui put a fairly thick bed of white lead made into a soft paste by adding linseed oil stretch the first strip of canvas at the edge of the roof rolling it into the paste and securing it with long copper tacks put in an inch apart all around lay the second strip with its edge overlapping the edge of the first one by two inches put paste under the overlap and secure by tacks continue in this way when the root roof is covered put on a priming coat of deck paint and when it is dry two more coats of the same used as it comes in the can building a cottage question being handy with tools I 1 am undertaking to build a summer cottage what book that is fairly up to date will give me details and explanations of small house construction st answer the national lumber manufacturers association washington D C issues pamphlets on construction details which would be well worth sending tor for you will also find several pamphlets in price list 72 publications of interest to suburbanites and home owners to be had for the asking from the superintendent of documents washington problem of dampness question we live on the street level in an apartment house built on a slight rise and yards or so from tidewater parquet floors show no sign of warping or unevenness except in one spot where boards creak and sink a little do you think the apartment may be too to damp in spring and summer answer with the ventilation th that I 1 you describe I 1 see no reason why the apartment should be especially damp the creaking boards should be investigated however to learn it if the supports underneath have rot ted or otherwise given way plywood walls question the kitchen walls of my new country cottage are finished with plywood can I 1 use a spar varnish h finish on the walls Is it advisable to first coat the walls with linseed oil answer spar varnish will be all right I 1 would advise two coats dull the gloss of the first coat of varnish by rubbing down with fine sandpaper then wipe off the dust before applying the second coat linseed oil is not necessary refinishing finishing Re station wagon question the woodwork of my station wagon has weathered dull would like your advice on refinish ing answer it if the varnished finish is not peeling wash the surface with soap and warm water rinse with clear water then wipe dry allow the moisture to dry out for a few hours refinish with one or two coats of a top quality spar varnish be sure the surface is dull before applying the varnish white paint on screens question my house is somewhat shaded by trees but when I 1 put on oil V the ae screens the house is noticeably darker would white paint or on I 1 the screen wire help would it make the house look crazy it is now painted cream answer it would not be objectionable tio and would help brighten the interior make sure the paint s thin enough so it will not clog the openings in the screen |