I am a qualified Austrian shingle maker and installer (holzschindelmacher) and am accredited under the Austrian ausbildung system. In Austria the installation of shingles is a protected trade, so formal training is mandatory. There is a strong tradition across Austria and Germany for shingle making and installation. Along with training in Austria I have travelled widely in Europe to specifically collect many of the wisdoms which survive relating to the manufacture of shingles, which I am proud to bring to Scotland. I am the only manufacturer of shingles in Scotland.
Shingles or Shakes are a type of roof tile made exclusively from split wood, which can be used for either roofing or exterior walls. The Austrian tradition is to use Larch wood for shingles, British traditions tend to favour Chestnut and Oak, and in North America, Cedar. In reality, any wood can be used, so long as the grain is reasonably straight and follows a few rules of thumb, but some woods will always rot faster than others, hence the traditions to use long lasting varieties.
The process of making shingles involves carefully splitting sections of tree trunk into successively smaller sizes, carefully reading the grain of the wood as you work to determine the best way to use the wood. By splitting instead of sawing the wood, less wood and energy is wasted by being turned to sawdust and the act of splitting preserves much of the fibrous structure of the wood, making it more naturally resistant to water and rot than a sawn plank.
Most shingle roofing advertised in the UK is made with imported North American cedar and many of the British-produced shingles available are sawn, not split, which much reduces the natural hardiness of the wood, leading to a roof which will look good but won't be likely to stand the test of time so well. There is no substitute for hand made shingles, each one worked by hand and graded by eye.
A hand made shingle roof can last surprisingly long - the rule of thumb for larch is that for every degree of pitch, the roof will last an equal number of years, so a 35 degree roof, will last around 35 years. Sunlight also has an effect on long term wear, so the south side will wear marginally faster than a north side. Shingles are very resistant to heavy hail and strong winds - having a degree of natural flexibilty where conventional roof tiles may otherwise shatter.
And of course, a true hand made shingle roof is perhaps the most ecologically sustainable solution for roofing, as there are only two components: locally sourced wood and metal nails. They leave behind only iron oxide and compost! Unlike 'green' living roofs, which often feature EPDM plastic linings beneath the surface, a shingle roof can claim honest ecological pedigree when made with honestly sourced timber. It is also very possible to follow natural, flowing shapes and roof curves with shingles in a way which is not possible with many other roofing materials.
RG Bushell is the only producer of split larch roofing shingles in the UK and the only practicioner of the Alpine and European traditions. The shingles produced are up to two feet in length, which is often double the length of conventional imported (and often sawn) North American Cedar and other cleft/split traditional shingles produced in the UK. This is advantageous for allowing for generous headlap, larger courses and better long term protection.
A custom shingle making workshop is currently under development in the Highlands of Scotland. At the moment there is limited production capacity. Shingles are currently only offered on a supply and install basis. For enquiring architects and professionals specifying shingles, I am able to offer advice on a professional consulting basis.
The installation of shingles requires specific technicalities to be followed such as detailing, material specification and general design to ensure longevity. As the only producer in Scotland and the UK's only specialist in the European patterns of shingle installation, I offer telephone and email based consultancy to those specifying roofing or wall shingles in their design, for a fee. I can supply a variety of materials, technical drawings and resources to aid planning applications and building regulations along with best practices to follow and contacts for European suppliers.
Serving Dee, Don & Feughside, Aberdeenshire and in the Scottish Highlands & Islands and further afield by appointment.
Fellow of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings
