Gothic wooden shingles, plywood – model making & nativity

The nativity stable is built and the figures are in place. Only the roof still looks bare. With these Gothic wooden shingles, you cover it row by row. Step by step, the bare shell turns into a little gem – just right for your Christmas crafting. The shingles are made of 3 mm poplar plywood. We laser-cut them precisely to size after you order. There are 28 sizes, from miniature to large cutouts.

What changes for you

• Your model roof looks even, because every shingle is precisely laser-cut and lines up neatly with the next.
• You can design freely to suit your idea. The untreated wood can be glued, painted, coated or oiled.
• You'll find the right size for every project. Choose from tiny 15 x 7.5 mm for delicate models up to 150 x 75 mm for larger roof areas.
• No tedious cutting by hand. Thanks to the smooth laser-cut edges, you can start roofing straight away.
• You get exactly the amount you need. With the choice of size and quantity, there are no costly leftovers.

Why these wooden shingles make a real difference

A roof decides whether a model looks like a kit or like real handcraft. When you lay shingle by shingle, you create the lively texture that makes real roofs so appealing. Your nativity stable, Christmas pyramid or model house then looks lovingly built. Printed cardboard simply can't do that. The Gothic shape with its curved point gives the roof a finely structured, historic look.

Material & finish

The shingles are made of poplar plywood approx. 3 mm thick. It is light, keeps its shape and is easy to work with. Laser cutting gives smooth edges with the typical brown rim. This rim makes the shingles look naturally weathered. The wood is untreated, neither varnished nor glazed. So it takes glue, paint and oil well. As a natural material, every shingle has its own grain and shade. Now and then there are small knots. This is not a flaw – it makes every piece unique. The cutouts are made to order and precisely to size in our own production in Pößneck, Thuringia.

Dimensions & technical details

• Material: poplar plywood, untreated (not varnished or glazed)
• Material thickness: approx. 3 mm
• Shape: Gothic cut (Gothic shingle shape)
• Dimensions: 28 sizes to choose from, from 15 x 7.5 mm to 150 x 75 mm
• Cut: laser-cut, smooth edges with typical brown rim
• Use: untreated for indoor use only; for outdoor use, the wood must be treated, e.g. oiled
• Made in Thuringia, Germany

How to use the shingles

• Building a nativity scene in Advent: you cover the stable row by row. On Christmas Eve, your nativity scene looks like a small, real building.
• On a Christmas pyramid: the small sizes give the pyramid roof a finely textured surface that comes alive in the candlelight.
• In model making: whether a half-timbered house, church or mill – used as miniature roof shingles or roof tiles, the cutouts give your model a true-to-scale, historic look.
• Crafting and decorating: paint or decorate the shingles one by one. Use them to embellish boxes, picture frames or seasonal decorations.
• In your business: for shop windows, a Christmas market stall or store decor, you can quickly build a festive display roof with the large sizes. You can reorder them in the same quality.

Good to know about the Gothic shingle shape

Gothic architecture is known for its pointed arches. You'll know them from the church windows and portals of old cathedrals. The Gothic cut of these shingles follows exactly this line. That's why the shape suits historic subjects so well. Church and chapel models, nativity stables and half-timbered houses match their architectural style.

Care & durability

There's not much you need to do. Indoors, you can leave the shingles untreated and simply keep them dry. If your piece is going outside, such as a nativity scene in the yard, treat the wood first, for example with oil. This way the roof keeps looking good in wind and weather for a long time.

Options & what's included

• 28 sizes available: from 15 x 7.5 mm to 150 x 75 mm
• Quantity: you order the pack size that suits your project
• Contents: the selected pack size of Gothic shingles

Frequently asked questions

Can I paint or decorate the shingles? Yes. The wood is untreated and takes paint, glue and oil well. You can paint it, oil it or glue it directly.

Are the shingles suitable for outdoor use? Untreated, they are for indoor use only. For outdoors, you need to treat the wood, for example by oiling it.

Why do the shingles vary in shade? Wood is a natural material. Grain, colour and small knots vary from piece to piece. This is exactly what makes every shingle unique.

Where does the brown rim on the edges come from? It forms during laser cutting and is typical of this process. The edges are smooth. The dark rim gives the roof a naturally weathered look.

Are the shingles made for stock? No. They are precisely laser-cut after you order, in the size and quantity you choose.

Plywood and laser cutting are just the start. The best part is the moment you place the last shingle and step back. Suddenly your model has a proper roof over its head. Simply choose the size and quantity that suit your project.