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The quality of wooden shingles and the possibilities of their modern manufacture were the focus of an expert study commissioned by Landwood s.r.o. under the Pilsen Business Vouchers programme. Specialists from the New Technologies Research Centre (NTC) at the University of West Bohemia assessed whether a larch shingle of the Gangloff type could fully replace the traditionally hand-split shingles used on historic buildings.

The name of the specialised technology refers to Karel Gangloff, a forest manager and inventor from Rožmitál who, as early as the 19th century, designed a machine known as a shingle cutter. This device significantly accelerated and reduced the cost of shingle production at a time when there was a critical shortage of high-quality timber suitable for traditional hand-splitting. Today, modern technologies revive this approach by using a profiled forming blade that combines splitting, precise cutting and surface finishing. “Gangloff is an unjustly overlooked figure in Czech woodworking. His idea of linking craftsmanship with technological progress is once again proving highly relevant,” said Rudolf Šimek, curator of the collections of the Podbrdy Museum in Rožmitál pod Třemšínem.

The research aimed to compare water absorption and wood behaviour in traditionally hand-split shingles and shingles with a profiled surface. The results show that shingles with profiled finishing exhibit no reduction in water resistance compared to traditional splitting. Variations in wood properties between individual pieces have a greater impact than the production technology used. The critical point remains the lower edge of the shingle, which behaves identically in both technologies - water travels along the fibres, i.e., in the fastest direction. “It has been shown that modern technology faithfully imitating a split surface does not reduce the functional service life of the shingle in any way. The key factors are wood quality and radial fibre orientation, which the innovative production process can ensure with great precision,” said Jan Očenášek from the NTC Research Centre at the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, who conducted the study.

According to experts, traditional hand splitting has its charm and historical value, but also its limitations - uneven thickness, occasional warping and the need for subsequent planing. By contrast, the Gangloff-type shingle offers high geometric precision, a tight interlocking joint (tongue and groove), consistent radial fibre orientation and lower material losses. “We aimed to offer a high-quality alternative that respects the historic appearance while making use of modern production methods,” said Miroslav Štrunc, representative of Landwood s.r.o. “The NTC study has provided us with independent confirmation that the innovative shingle is a reliable solution.”

The topic of shingles and wood processing in general is broad. The NTC study does not describe all aspects of wood ageing, but it provides an objective experimental comparison of two specific technologies. This confirms that the innovative shingle is not in conflict with traditional approaches, but can serve as a functional alternative wherever heritage conservation regulations allow.

The project was made possible thanks to the support of the City of Pilsen through the Pilsen Business Vouchers programme. This initiative connects small and medium-sized enterprises with the university’s expert capacities and supports innovation in the region. “It is a model example of how cooperation between the city, researchers, and entrepreneurs can deliver solutions with an impact not only on industry, but also on the preservation of cultural heritage,” concludes Petr Kavalíř, Director of the New Technology - Research Centre.