Just as cotton and similar vegetable fibres-which are physically and chemically closely allied to wood- are spun and woven into textile products of greater strength and utility than the original fibre, so modern science has evolved processes whereby the wood of certain trees-such as the Spruce-can be disintegrated and re-formed to provide new and useful products. Of these is " SX " Board-a manufactured wood which has many advantages over raw timber.

For the making of this useful material the trees are felled and divided into logs, and these logs fed to giant stone grinders.

Straightway the raw natural wood is converted into fine, clean, stout fibre. Then by highly specialised processes this fibre is reconverted into perfect boards-Essex Boards.

The sturdy fibre is passed between huge steel rollers, dozens of them. It comes out a strong, smooth, rigid sheet, That is but one layer of what is to be Essex Board.

This layer is coated with fire-resisting cement and other similar layers put on top of it. These are also passed between the rollers and in turn become one compact sheet. So the cementing of layer on layer continues until at last appear the big panels of finished flawless Essex Board.

What You Can Do With Essex Board

Essex Board has for long been a familiar material to the Architect and Builder, many millions of feet being used annually for the walls and ceilings of houses, public halls, cinemas, clubs and buildings generally. There are, however, many other uses of Essex Board which are not so generally recognised.

Some of these jobs are given in detail below, and in addition we may mention that Essex Board is an admirable material for small cupboards, light doors, wireless cabinets, loud speakers, table mats, fire screens, light shelves and brackets ; for indoor games, such as ring boards, table tennis, etc. ; in the garden and yard, for lining summer houses and garages. For these and a host of other purposes that will occur to you as necessity arises, Essex Board can be employed. It cuts and shapes easily, is clean to work, nice to handle, and looks really fine when the job is done- particularly if given a coat of paint or distemper. Sizing is not necessary prior to decorating.

For alterations, partitions, screens, shelves, etc., Essex Board meets a host of factory and office needs. It will also be found useful for mounting maps, charts and drawings.

Sizes : 36 and 48 inches wide by lengths of 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 feet. Thickness &in. (Also Extra Thickness £in. approx.)

Fire And Damp

Essex Board is a very good non-conductor, and will be found to offer considerable resistance to both fire and moisture. Even if it becomes wet it is rarely seriously affected thereby and dries again without losing its former appearance.

Essex Board is manufactured primarily for interior work only, but if fairly heavily treated with several coats of waterproof paint or suitable bituminous compounds, taking care that the edges are also treated, it will serve for some time in the open. Wherever Essex Board is exposed to risk of much wet or moisture, it should be heavily treated with some waterproof substance.

Increased Rigidity

If it is desired to increase the rigidity of Essex Board it should be first very well dried, and then given one or two coats of spirit varnish. Essex Board can be enamelled, and a smooth finish obtained by giving several undercoats and rubbing down before giving the final coat of enamel.

General Instructions On Fixing 14 Essex " Board

To get the best results, give careful attention to the following suggestions, which are based on experience :

Preparation

First of all plan out the arrangement of panels, as this determines not only the width of boards to be used, but position of battens and cross pieces.

Walls Of Wooden Buildings, Partitions, Etc

See studs are flush and regular ; if not, make up surface with strips of " SX." Board or wood. The stock widths of " SX." Board, namely, 32in., 36in., and 48in., are suitable for studs at 16in., 18in., and 24in. centres. If the distances are greater than 24in., insert additional supports. (Some users prefer to fix vertical supports at not more than 18in. centres.) Place cross battens at every 36in., also supports for top and bottom edges, so that the board can be nailed on all four sides. Where picture-rail or chair-rail is to be fixed, provide necessary support as indicated below.

Brick Walls

Fix 2-in. cross battens at centres, suitable for width of sheet. Also fix intermediate battens vertically and horizontally, as indicated above. These intermediate battens need not be more than lin. wide. Where picture-rail or chair-rail is to be fixed or cover strips are to be placed, a 2-in. batten will be needed ; also at skirting. If the Board is to be fixed to new brickwork which is likely to sweat or otherwise be damp it is advisable to give the back of the Board a coat of damp-proof paint. In the ordinary way, however, this is unnecessary.

Ceilings

Fix board with or across joists, putting in cross battens and headers where necessary so that the board may be nailed on all four edges. Put cover strips over all joins and fix wooden cornice or angle mouldings where ceiling and wall meet. In repair work where walls may be plastered, fix cornice in same way. Do not " make good " the plaster to " SX." Board.

Cutting

" SX." Board is easily cut to size or shape with saw, knife or chisel.....It will also take a curve, if not too sharp, without difficulty.

Nailing

Place the boards evenly for nailing, leaving a space of 3/16 in. between the edge of one sheet and the edge of the next. Do not butt the edges of the sheets. Start nailing in centre and work outwards. For the centres of the panels use small flat-headed, tinned or galvanized nails ; space every 6in. and punch heads carefully 1/16 in. below surface and stop holes in the usual way. For the edges of the board use large flat-headed 1-in. galvanized wire nails ; space not more than 4in. apart, and not less than 1/2 in. from edge of sheet. Nail on all four sides of sheet. Take care not to damage surface of board with the hammer.

Decoration

The correct and most satisfactory decoration for "SX." Board is a good paint or distemper. The joins are covered with wooden strips or mouldings to form panels. Give the board one coat of paint or distemper before fixing the moulding or cover strips. All joins should be covered in this way. On no account use wallpaper over joins, as it will ultimately crack at the join. Wallpaper, however, can be used in the interior of the panels, but the panelling strips cannot be dispensed with.

Panelling

The mouldings or cover strips used should be 2in. wide, but not less than 13/4 in., so as to satisfactorily cover the heads of nails. For corners use an internal or external angle moulding of suitable design. Suitable moulding or cover strips can be obtained from most timber merchants.

It should be specially noted that the best finished effects are obtained with a perfectly dry board ; therefore fix " SX." Board after all windows and doors are in position.

Don't forget these Points when Fixing :-Provide supports as directed on instruction sheet. Nail on all four edges with large-headed nails. Nail at least Jin. from edge of sheet. Nail in centre of panels with small-headed nails every 6ins. Always use galvanized or other rustless nails. Start nailing in centre and work outwards. Leave a space of 3/16 in. between each board. Don't try to paper the joins-it is the wrong way to finish wallboard. Paint or distemper-one coat at least-before fixing skirting, chair-rail, or other mouldings. All cover moulds to be at least 2ins. in width.

The best way to fix " SX." Board to room walls if a plain wall without panelling is desired, is to take advantage of the picture rail (in most rooms nowadays), and add a chair rail. The chair-rail adds to the appearance of the room, and can with the picture rail be used to cover the horizontal " SX." Board joints around the room. This method of dividing the wall surface is, moreover, in accordance with the best artistic traditions. It is certainly the most simple, speedy and economical method of applying wallboard. Three boards only will cover a space 16 feet by 9 feet, and can all be cut from stock sizes without waste-an important consideration. The minimum battening is required for the walls. As " SX." Board is made up to 16 feet long, all but very large rooms can be treated in this way without any vertical join in the wall surface. By a slight modification the same principle can be adapted to larger rooms.