DECAY IN WOOD.

Hawke's Bay Times, Issue 1531, 5 December 1873, Page 40

DECAY IN WOOD.

The decay of wood arises from internal and not external moisture; hence the danger of shakes, as they admit it often to the very centre; and so long as free evaporation is allowed, decciy will not very readily set in It would be very absurd to say that no paint ought to be used in the interior of a house, but it is certain that a piece of wood painted on both sides will not last nearly so long as one not painted at all. The reason is evident. The paint effectually closes all the pores, preventing the escape of the moisture, which even the best seasoned plank will contain, and hence decay sooner sets in, in one shape or another. For the same reason wood painted on one side, only will last longer than that painted on both sides. Thus in an old building, the wainscot, door, windows, &c, will be found to be affected when the staircase will be sound, because never painted. The old houses in the quaint city of Chester prove the truth of this. Some years ago, a Liverpool builder who had some contracts there told the writer that the numerous exposed beams were generally sound, and they are all unpainted, but the insido work had apparently beeu renewed. The best that cab be done, under all circumstances, is to give a coat of paint before leaving the workshop, land this is generally done, at least in large establishments.