Oak tiles
6 September 2019
An Ancestral Roofing Material Firmly Focused on Sustainability and the Future
With a constant commitment to optimizing the use of oak as a raw material, the Charlois Group repurposes oak staves that are too short for cooperage into oak tiles for building roofs.
Historically used in regions abundant with wood, wooden tiles eventually gave way to clay and slate tiles, which became widespread in the 19th century. However, wooden roofing, primarily made from softwoods and, to a lesser extent, oak and chestnut, has persisted in certain mountainous regions, particularly in Switzerland. In fact, Switzerland boasts the Association Romande des Tavillonneurs, whose members adhere to a charter specifying the source of the wood, tile thickness, and the horizontal and vertical overlaps for roofing installation. Notably, several buildings in the Nièvre region of France, such as the church in Champvoux and parts of the Château de Vésigneux in Saint-Martin-du-Puy, still feature wooden shingles.
At the forefront of this tradition is MAISON CHARLOIS, based in Murlin in the Nièvre region. They craft oak tiles from century-old merrain-grade oak, upholding traditional techniques. These tiles, marketed by ATRIUM, led by Romain Charlois, are made from quarter-sawn oak to ensure watertightness. The manufacturing process mirrors that of producing oak staves: the tiles are split and edged, then diagonally sawn through the thickness of the wood. Each tile is fitted with a staple to simplify installation on battens by the roofer.
Lightweight, waterproof, insulating, and resistant to frost, hail, and rain, oak tiles are an ecological and high-performance roofing material, standing up to other conventional options. Over time, the naturally untreated tiles develop a gray patina due to UV exposure and weathering. This natural evolution does not compromise the physical or mechanical properties of the wood, lending roofs a warm and natural aesthetic.
*Oak tiles may also be referred to as tavaillons, shingles, aissiaumes, essentes, or tavillons, depending on the region.
