>We want to offer Habitat a safer and healthier alternative that is also
>cost-effective and practical (so volunteers can work with it). They have
>determined brick is too expensive (and you need masons for installation),
>and aluminum is too difficult for volunteers.
A possible alternative: white cedar shingles produced by the Maibec
Company, Sainte-Foy, Quebec, (1-800-363-1930). Maibec is a major
manufacturer of white cedar shingles and their shingles are widely
distributed in the Northeast. The cedar for their shingles is supplied by
the Seven Islands Land Company (207 947-0541), a company which owns and
manages over a million acres of Maine woodlands. Seven Islands has been
fully certified by Scientific Certification Systems for their sustained
yield and low impact forestry practices (an expensive and rigorous process
which demonstrates serious commitment).
White cedar shingles are easy and fun for volunteers to install, require
zero maintenance (no stain or paint required), will last 25 - 50 years,
are not terribly expensive, and weather to a silver gray color. Maibec may
be interested in donating.
John
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