Weatherseal---New Typ" of Sidewall Panel

Combining in one simple unit all the essential component parts of a sidewall-sheathing, building paper and cedar shingles-a new type of sidewall panel has been developed which is said to portend a revolutionary :qtr3nge in home building methods.

The new panel involves the shop application of red cedar shingles and building paper to insulation board, plywood or gyplap panels of standard 2 x 8 feet size. These wall sections are transported to the building site and nailed directly to the studs, providing in one operation a complete sidewall from the studs out.

Experienced builders state that the new method, which is a definite step toward decentralizttion of prefabrication, offers considerable savings compared with conventional wall construction, and that as a consequence it is coming into popularity for war housing projects where speed and economy are essential. The amount of savings differs with circumstances, but from $25 to $60 per average-size house unit represents the varia.nce noted on jobs undertaken to date. The new shingle panel also opens the way to greater speed in completing essential war housing. Being manufactured in the shop, the shingle panels can be assembled and accumulated for later use, regardless of the weather out-of-doors.

The use of red cedar shingles as the exterior of the panel has lent impetus to the building industry's acceptance of the new technique, based on the fine record of durability and weather-resistance which these shingles have established throughout the history of American home construction. The traditional warmth of appearan,ce, plus the interesting and attractive design of random width shingles, contributes an aspect of quality as well as economy to the new panel.

The panels are built on a work table, the surface of which is covered with a steel plate. The shingles are attached.to the sheathing boards with nails which are driven at a slight angle; upon penetrating the sheathing they strike the steel plate and are turned back, thus automatically providing a clinch which securely fastens the shingles to the sheathing boards.

Panels are adequately jointed on the sides by the application of field applied "filler" shingles which are pre-cut to specific dimensions. The bottom course of shingles overhangs the sheathing about one inch; this projection, plus the use of tongue-and-groove shaped sheathing, provides a snug horizontal joint between panels. The panels are trimmed and fitted around windotvs and doors by the carpenter on the job.

The shingle pcnels<omplete with ingulation bocrd, building paper, crnd shingles-cre cpplied on the iob by nciling to ecrcb stud becning. Tbe pnaels cre eceily hcadled by two men.

The panel is patented under the name "Weatherseal" and shop licenses for building them are being granted firms in every section of the country. The Weatherseal organization's policy is to license one panel outlet in each local trade territory, and in this way they are establishing a large number of licensees. Interested parties are asked to contact A. R. Exiner of the Central Division Co., licensing management for the Weatherseal Panel, 221 North LaSalle St.. Chicago, Illinois.