Replies

1. 
   WorkshopJon | Apr 08, 2003 03:27am | #1

   Dale,

   I see that you are over in Grafton (not that far from me). I came across some real odd stuff used in my house also. One thing I have discovered is that a lot of the rural (at the time) communities in WI never adopted/enforced/required much in the way of building codes prior to the late 60's. Pretty much anything built prior to '70 and for all intents and purposes, you could do whatever you wanted. Given the frugality of people out here, it wouldn't surprise me if the guy got a deal on Masonite.

   Jon

1. 
   Timberwerks | Apr 08, 2003 03:53am | #2

   Hi Jon

   I may be a little closer to you now. We just moved from Grafton to Mequon I am 2 blk's south of Donges Bay rd on 60th, over by Jorgeson Conveyors. We bought the house because it is zoned B-5 and I can build a shop on the property. (I am a furnituremaker) I still have my shop located in the Grafton Mill. It is nice to find someone else from the area on the forums.

   Take Care

   Dale

2. 
   NickNukeEm | Apr 08, 2003 04:01pm | #3

   Two houses I've worked on recently had masonite walls.  Best guess is that it was installed in the 50-60's era for both houses.  Kind of a transition between plaster/lath and drywall.  The stuff is flimsy, and often I find that if the corners have insufficient backing, gaps form.  One old farmhouse has it as flooring upstairs.  The owner and I speculated that someone had a clearance sale on Masonite and the New England owner of the house at the time found a way to refloor and save a few pennies at the same time.

   One of the owners wanted to know what he could do with it (walls.)  My response was to tear it out and install drywall.  He must like the stuff, though, he's still living with it.

   If you decide to take it down, let me know how it turns out.  I may have to do the same, some day.

   I never met a tool I didn't like!