Cleft Oak Shingles will last many times longer than imported sawn cedar. The texture and colour of our shingles is incomparable with the common alternative, sawn cedar.

Our shingles are made from English oak, quartered out from the log; the sapwood is removed and the remaining heartwood cleft radially. This yields a very stable and durable product, far superior to sawn shingles.

Carpenter Oak & Woodland specialise in the production of hand hewn products from premium timber, and our oak shingles (or shakes) are one of our best examples of this craft.

Our shingles are the ideal material for the repair of historic church towers and belfries, especially where the vernacular shingle has been replaced in unsympathetic, sawn cedar. The excellent durability, attractive appearance and positive environmental aspect (being made from a sustainable resource) of our shingles also makes an exciting option for contemporary structures. They have been used to great effect on several projects, including the Royal Hen House in Gloucestershire.  

It is important to note that no chemical treatments are necessary for the preservation of cleft oak shingles. However, lead soakers and flashings should be bitumen-coated as protection against the initial natural acid run-off.

Our stock shingles are cut to 330mm length (+/- 30mm), and have a random width of 75mm – 125mm.  They are sold in quantities relating to the area of roof, based on a gauge of 115mm.

We recommend that our shingles are fixed with 316-grade stainless steel annular ring-shank nails (50mm x 2.65mm), which we are able to supply if required. 

Because the fixing of cleft oak shingles require an approach and techniques that differ from those used with sawn shingles, it is important that those specifying or fixing our shingles should familiarise themselves with them first. For this reason, we produce a document called “Guidelines For Fixing Cleft Oak Shingles”, as an introduction to this product, and offer the services of an experienced shingler on a day-rate / consultancy basis for practical advice and assistance at the start of, and/or during the shingling programme.

Standard straight shingles

Our standard shingle, ideal for use on church spires and all types of roof.  They are selected for their straightness, are 330mm long and have random widths from 75mm to just over 125mm.  They are packed in approx. ½ m² packs at 115mm gauge.

Ridge/hip shingles

These are specifically selected for their width (min. 150mm wide), and flatness.  They are for use as a shingled ridge (refer to our “Guidelines For Fixing Shingles”), or as a hip/valley shingle, where the extra width makes them particularly suitable.  There are twenty in a pack, and are designed to cover approx. 1.5m of ridge, or 20 courses of a hip or valley.

Shingle nails

We can supply 316-grade stainless steel annular ring-shank nails to fix shingles. The most commonly used size is 50mm x 2.65mm. There are approx. 550 no. per kg. On lychgates and other structures where the roof is visible from beneath, we recommend 40mm nails.

Shingle “seconds”

We collect the shingles that do not make the grade for our Standard or Hip/Ridge Packs, and offer them cheaply for use on rustic garden buildings and the like.  Contact us for more details.

Please note we are a trade supplier and that there is a minimum order value of £100, exclusive of VAT and delivery.