by Barry James Canadian Cedar From Trees … to Shingles

Logs are harvested from local forests then stored on site for processing

Log storage covers about 12 hectares and represent 5-8 months of raw material stock

Blades used to cut logs and slice to shingles await sharpening

Blades are sharpened after each 5 hours of use and have an overall life span of about 18 months

Logs are first cleared of bark

After bark is removed logs are cut to 400 mm length

Logs are delivered by conveyor for further processing

Technician inserts block to be taper-sawn

Saw cutting through 400mm block

Technician (1 of 10 stations) for this operation

Technician checks tapered shingle

Shingle then cut to appropriate width optimising “good wood”

Technician immediately sorts by category and places in correct “slot”

Sorted shingles are delivered to the appropriate position on conveyor for packaging or further processing

In R&R “Premium” process, shingles are further trimmed on three sides

Fully automated process yields a shingle with perfectly parallel edges and Resquared butt

Shingles are then hand packaged and palletised with final quality control

Some customers request pressure treated shingles to further increase serviceable life

Pallet on left exits chamber while pallet on right awaits 3-4 hour turn in chamber. Greenish appearance will weather first to brown then to the silver grey that is characteristic of Canadian Eastern White shingles.

Shingles palletised and ready for shipment

Shingles applied to a roof in near Quebec City in Canada