03 Oct Wood-shingles
Wood-shingles or in Grindelwald called “Holzschindla” you can still see a lot in older villages. Especially in former times this roofing was often used.
History
Wood-shingles are as mentioned an old form of roofing. The form of roofing was used early. For example, for tents and huts in the forest. At that time, the roofs were also covered like scales with skins, clay, brushwood, straw, reed and tree bark. Especially in Europe more and more bark was used and accordingly later wooden shingles made of straight grown wood. In Asia, however, bamboo was used for roofing. Today, of course, more tiles made of clay or plastic are used. In the 20th century, dachshunds and façade palettes made of materials such as bitumen, cement fibres and aluminium replaced old roof coverings such as wooden shingles. However, the trend towards wooden shingles is coming back more and more, especially in modern architecture more and more sustainable materials are being used.
Grindelwald
Here in Grindelwald you can always see barns with beautiful roofs with wood-shingles. Also many houses are still covered with shingles. Among other things there will be still so many roofs with us, since we have a lot and big forests with us.
What does a wood-shingles look like?
Shingles are small wooden plates about 65cm long and 1cm thick. These wooden plates are made of fir wood, which has just grown split. The roof is then created by many wooden plates lying on top of each other, which overlap each other about half.
Since there are fewer and fewer people who master this craft, the Ballenberg offers courses in the Bernese Oberland, among other places. Here in Grindelwald, however, there are also many farmers who pass on their knowledge about production. So if you are in Grindelwald just ask, people like to share their knowledge.
You want to know more about wooden shingles or have other questions? Write to us at info@chalet-anemone.ch
We are looking forward to your e-mail
The roof lasts about 25-30 years, then the shingles slowly become rotten and are called “Schäpfi”.
