Oak Shakes

Oak is beautiful, traditional, durable, extremely weather-resistant, highly textured and frequently used for ecclesiastical projects. One of the most well-known steeplejacks in the South of England is Peter Harknett. He is so revered by Harald Rapold, that the company has trademarked a Peter Harknett Oak Shake©. This product is based on historic British oak shakes. It is made slightly thicker for greater longevity and is ideal for use on church spires.

We stock Standard, Cottage Style and Fancy-Butt oak shakes. Please scroll down for more information.

Standard Shakes

Standard shakes are bevelled (chamfered) at an angle of 45° at the thick butt end. They are hand split, random width and taper-cleaned by machine.

Oak ‘Cottage’ style shakes are hand split-resawn, surface split-backside sawn, random width, square edged at butt.

Oak Standard Shakes Oak 'Cottage' Style Shakes
Shake lengths (mm) Approx. thickness (mm) Shake lengths Approx. thickness (mm)
400 10 400 15-25
300 8-9 300 15-20
250 6-7 - -
200 5-6 - -

Fancy-Butt Shakes

These are hand split, round scaled, taper cleaned by machine, bevelled at butt.

Shake lengths (mm)
 Approx. width (mm) Approx. thickness (mm)
400 100 10
300 100 or 80 9
250 80 7 
210 80 or 60 6

Coverage

The type of wood, shake length, method of laying, weather exposure and desired covering density should be taken into consideration when making calculations.

Please note: shakes are supplied in random widths and the packs calculated for a given coverage. The shakes should be used ‘as they come’, packs should not be sorted for widths.

Roof – shakes should be laid 3-ply

Exterior façade/wall – shakes should be laid 2-ply to 3-ply

Interior wall – shakes can be laid 2-ply

Standard shake lengths (mm) 400 300 250 200
Popular lengths for roof (R)/wall (W) R/W W W W
Roof/Wall 3-ply ① (22° to 90°) Exposure in mm ④ 125 90 75 60
Linear metres per m² 8.0 11.11 13.33 16.66
Wall 2-ply ② (71° to 90°) Exposure in mm ④ 180 120 100 80
Linear metres per m² 5.56 8.33 10.0 12.5

  1. The exposure should not exceed ⅓ the length of the shake. Minimum roof pitch approx. 18-20° 

  2. The exposure should not exceed ½ the length of the shake

  3. LM – Linear Metre (100cm x shake length)

  4. EXP – Weather exposure (distance from the shingle bottom edge to the next above shake bottom edge)

Additional Information

  • Wall Cladding

    • m² wall area

    • linear metre starter course (on the wall)

    • mm desired weather exposure

    • mm shake length

    Roof Coverage

    • m² roof area

    • linear metres for eave (the first course of shakes laid on a roof)

    • mm desired weather exposure

    • mm shake length

  • Shakes can be pre-drilled and stainless steel nails should be used.

  • Please contact us if you wish to colour treat or paint timber shakes, as not all timber species are suitable.

  • We will be able to advise you of the delivery cost when you place your order. Once your order is ready, we will call you to arrange a delivery date/time.

    Our WL West delivery lorry delivers to the following postcodes in the UK: BH, BN, BR, CR, CT, DA, DT, E, EC, EN, GU, HA, HP, IG, KT, LU, ME, MK, N, NW, OX, PO, RG, RH, RM, SE, SL, SM, SN, SO, SP, SW, TN, TW, UB, W, WD.

    Outside of this area we will arrange delivery via a third party.

    Timber shakes and shingles are delivered on a pallet. Please ensure you have the appropriate equipment and personnel to manage unloading, which might require more than one person.

  • Timber shakes and shingles are a hand-made product, please contact us for up-to-date lead times on specific products. Items in stock can be delivered in 2 weeks.

All images on this page are credited to © Rapold GmbH

Do you require timber shakes for your next project?

We are a leading UK timber merchant & machinist, supplying trade, commercial & homeowners.

From providing high quality timber shakes and shingles to cladding and beams, we can help with your project needs. With over 155 years’ experience, timber is what we do. Get in touch with our Sales Team to get your timber shakes or shingles quote.