Something New Under The Sun Philippine Mahogany Bevel Siding - - -

The story of how Mahogany Importing Company of Los Angeles, California, has developed a large distribution of an economical builder's item which at first blush would seem to be within the reach of only the very wealthy home owner, is, we believe, worth relating.

The first application of Philippine Mahogany Bevel Siding to a home from material manufactured by this company was made about three years ago and was so outstanding in appearance and caused such agreeable comment that exhaustive tests $'ere immediately undertaken to determine preservation of natural color, resistance to the elements, etc. It should be mentioned that one factor which gave impetus to this idea was that the Mahogany Importing Company had built sheds of Philippine Mahogany at their Long Beach plant some 20 years ago, and inspection reveals that the lumber employed in these buildings is still in an excellent state of preservation. Paint companies were encouraged to experiment with various finishinq agents of all kinds, and after subjection to their accelerated weathering tests, all reported that the natural color and beautiful grain of Philippine Nlahogany could be well preserved.

Economical manufacture was the next problem and this was effected in using a grade of lumber that, while entirely sound, nevertheless admitted small tight pin knots, burls, etc.. but did not admit of unsound wood, open defects or any other imperfections which would make the board unfit for the use for which it rvas intended.

Two objectives were accomplished, actually these small characteristics which were admitted in the board gave a distinctive beauty to the product itself, and at the same time this allowed the use of material not generally in the price class of what is commonly termed, "export grade."

General distribution was 'started about two years ago, and the Mahogany Importing Company immediately concentrated their efforts in placing this material in all sections of the United States in order to note the afiects of climatic change caused by heat, cold, wind, rain, humidity, etc. As these beautiful homes wer.e constructed, progress u'as watched most carefully and contractors and home owners were_asked to keep them informed of the durability and general appearance of Philippine Mahogany Bevel Siding.

It can be stated as a fact that results were entirely satisfactory, and today very l4rge quantities of Philippine Mahogany Bevel Siding are being used in all parts of the United States, at a price entirely i,r,'ithin the reach of modest home or,vners and competitive r,'l'ith other forms of siding material.