Robinia shingles
A shingle is a wooden roof tile. We saw ours from robinia (black locust) in our own factory in Romania, and quarter-saw them so they stay flat. They cover roofs and façades with no treatment at all: robinia is Europe's most durable timber, and our shingles come with a 15-year guarantee. They are in stock.
Where to use robinia shingles
Roofs: on pitches of 18° and above, laid in three layers.
Façades: lapped over ventilated battens, they replace standard cladding with a scale-like relief.
Small outdoor buildings: cabins, garden sheds, hen houses, bus shelters, covered furniture.
Eco-building: a natural material with no chemicals, more impact-resistant than slate or tiles.
Sizes
Length: 45 cm.
Width: 7.5 to 15 cm (random widths, as tradition dictates).
Thickness: 12 to 14 mm, wedge-shaped (exposed part 14 mm).
Cut: quarter-sawn with alternating cutting angle, so the wood stays flat without cupping.
All dimensions in the shingle technical data sheet.
How many shingles for your roof?
Standard laying: three layers, 140 mm exposure, minimum pitch 18°.
Rule of thumb: 3 m² of shingles (laid flat) per 1 m² of roof, i.e. about 73 shingles per m².
Bundle: 120 shingles, covers 1.65 m² of roof (4.95 m² flat), about 35 kg.
Pallet: 40 bundles, covers 66 m² of roof, about 1.4 t.
Installed weight: about 21 kg per m² of roof.
Waste: allow 5% extra.
Example: for 10 m² of roof, allow 7 bundles (about 730 shingles, 245 kg). Measure the roof slope, not the ground area: at a 45° pitch, 10 m² of floor area means 14 m² of roof. Below 18°, the overlap increases and so does the number of shingles.
How to lay shingles
Lapped from the bottom up, like tiles: thin end at the top, thick end at the bottom, each course covering two thirds of the one below. On battens with a continuous air gap behind the shingles: ventilation is what makes them last. Stainless steel fixings are essential (robinia is slightly acidic and corrodes ordinary steel); pre-drill thick pieces. Shingles are delivered fresh or lightly air-dried: they finish drying on the roof, and shrinkage is absorbed by the overlap. Store bundles flat, covered and ventilated, and lay them without long delay. Guides: robinia shingles for roofs and façades and screws and fixings for robinia.
Why robinia shingles?
Sweet chestnut is the traditional shingle timber. Robinia is harder and more durable: natural durability class 1-2 (EN 350-2) and Class 4 (standard EN 335), with no treatment and no maintenance. It goes from honey to silver-grey as it weathers; its strength does not change. Any treatment is applied after installation. Robinia vs sweet chestnut: the comparison
Delivered by half or full truck all over Europe.
How we make our shingles
Sawn robinia shingles are produced from trunks over 30cm in diameter. They are quarter-sawn, with an alternating cutting angle, to reduce water absorption and increase durability. To prevent them from drying out too quickly, a little wax is applied to the ends. Wedge-shaped (thicker at the visible part), shingles have a thin side and a thick side. Robinia shingles are placed on a roof like tiles, with the thin side at the top and the thick side at the bottom. Each row of shingles covers 2/3 of the previous row. Allow 3 m² of shingles (flat) per 1 m² of roof.
Dimensions (+/- 3 mm):
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Length: 45 cm
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Width: 7,5 to 15 cm (variable)
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Thickness: 12 to 14 mm (visible part 14 mm)
3-layer laying, exposure 140 mm, on a roof with a minimum pitch of 18°. Allow approx. 73 shingles per m² of roof and +5 % for trimming. One pack of 120 shingles covers 1,65 m² of roof (4,95 m² flat) and weighs approx. 35 kg, i.e. 21 kg per m² of roof. One pallet of 40 packs covers 66 m² of roof (approx. 1,4 t). Robinia is rated natural durability class 1-2 (EN 350-2:2016) and class 4 (standard EN 335): no chemical treatment and no maintenance are needed. The wood greys naturally and develops a patina; any treatment should be applied after installation. 15-year warranty. FSC® 100 % certification on request.
More and more builders of cabins and ecological habitats are using robinia shingles. They are more impact-resistant than slates and tiles and have the same longevity. They have the advantage of being a good thermal insulator.
Learn more about robinia shingles
Options
FSC® 100% certification on request.
Ordering shingles
Our shingles are in stock. We supply professionals – roofers, carpenters, cabin and eco-home builders, timber merchants – across Europe, by the pallet, half or full truckload, ex works. Send us the pitch and areas of your project: the laying plan and number of bundles are part of the quote. Private customer? Write to us: we will point you to a dealer near you. Request a quote
Frequently asked questions
How many shingles do I need for 10 m² of roof?
About 730 shingles, i.e. 7 bundles of 120 (5% waste included), about 245 kg, in standard three-layer laying on a pitch of 18° or more.
What is the minimum roof pitch for shingles?
18° for standard laying. Below that, the overlap must increase (smaller exposure, or a fourth layer) and the number of shingles per m² rises by about a third.
How long does a robinia shingle roof last?
Several decades without treatment. Our shingles carry a 15-year guarantee; actual service life depends on pitch, ventilation and exposure.
Sawn or split shingles?
Sawn: robinia splits poorly and its durability makes splitting unnecessary. A sawn shingle is calibrated, lighter and quicker to lay than a thicker, more expensive split one.
Can shingles be used on façades?
Yes, lapped over ventilated battens: the shingle replaces standard cladding with a scale-like relief.
Do shingles need treating or maintenance?
No. Robinia is naturally durable; it turns grey over time. Any treatment is applied after installation.
Do you have shingles in stock?
Yes. We deliver by the pallet (40 bundles, 66 m² of roof), half or full truckload. Request a quote
Is your timber EUDR-compliant?
Yes. Our timber is harvested in Romania and traced in SUMAL; we file the due diligence statement as the first operator. Details and documents provided: our EUDR page.