Wooden shingles for crafts – beaver tail, cherry veneer

The nativity scene is set up, the stable is built – only the roof still looks bare. With these delicate cherry veneer shingles, you can cover it row by row until your model looks like a real house in miniature. The semi-circular wooden shingles are precisely laser-cut and so thin that they fit together as if they had been made just for your project.

What changes for you

• Your nativity roof or model house looks genuinely handcrafted. That's because every shingle is made of real cherry wood veneer and has its own grain.
• You lay the shingles without any cutting or finishing – thanks to precise laser cutting with smooth edges.
• You'll find the right format for every project – from tiny 15 mm pieces for fine miniatures to 150 mm for larger decorative pieces, available in 28 sizes.
• You simply fix the thin veneer pieces with wood glue and lay them so they overlap – no special tools needed.
• You can design freely as you like – because the wood is untreated and can be painted, oiled, waxed or glazed.

Why these veneer shingles make a difference

A roof decides whether a model looks homemade or comes to life. When you lay wooden shingles for model making, a small piece of craftsmanship takes shape bit by bit – one you'll enjoy looking at year after year, on the nativity stable just as much as on the Christmas pyramid. And because you choose the size and quantity yourself, the material adapts to your project, not the other way round.

Material & finish

The shingles are made of real cherry wood veneer. It is a natural material with a warm, dark tone and a fine grain. Each shingle turns out slightly different: some lighter, some darker, occasionally with small irregularities or knots in the grain. This is not a flaw. It brings your roof to life, and every piece is unique. We laser-cut the shingles after you order, in Bütic's own production in Pößneck, Thuringia. They are cleanly made with smooth edges. The wood is untreated. Indoors you can use it straight away. For outdoor use, treat it first, for example by oiling, painting or applying a wood stain.

Dimensions & technical details

• Material: real cherry wood veneer
• Material thickness: approx. 0.5 mm to 0.7 mm
• Shape: beaver tail, semi-circular
• Dimensions: from 15 mm x 7.5 mm to 150 mm x 75 mm, available in 28 sizes
• Cut: laser cut, smooth edges
• Surface: untreated, not varnished or glazed
• Made in Thuringia, Germany
• Contents: semi-circular shingles in the selected pack size

How to use the veneer shingles

• On the nativity stable: cover the roof row by row with small wooden roof shingles – and your nativity scene gets the rustic character that belongs to Christmas.
• On a Christmas pyramid: laid as round shingles, they give the roof an even, calm texture. This is especially noticeable when the blades turn.
• In model making: whether it's a half-timbered house, a mill or a birdhouse – with these thin shingles you can work true to scale and in fine detail.
• For creative projects: paint or stain the untreated pieces before laying them – and match the roof colour exactly to your project.
• In shop windows or at the Christmas market: handmade little houses with a real shingle roof draw the eye – a lovingly presented decoration that customers remember.
• Our tip for laying: simply fix the thin veneer pieces with wood glue and work your way up from the bottom, overlapping each row – that way the typical dense shingle look comes about all by itself.

Good to know about the beaver tail shingle

The beaver tail shape gets its name from its semicircular edge, which looks like a beaver's flat tail. As roofing laid in overlapping rows, it has a centuries-old tradition in Germany. You use exactly this laying technique in miniature on nativity scenes, pyramids and model houses. That way you bring a piece of real roofing craft into your Christmas crafting.

Care & durability

There's not much you need to do: indoors, the untreated shingles can simply stay as they are. If your piece is going to stand outside, treat the wood first – oiling, waxing, painting or glazing protects it from moisture and keeps it looking good for years.

Options & what's included

• 28 sizes to choose from: from 15 mm x 7.5 mm to 150 mm x 75 mm
• Choose any quantity via the pack size
• Contents: semi-circular cherry veneer shingles in the selected size and quantity

Frequently asked questions

Can I use the shingles outdoors? Yes, if you treat the untreated wood first, for example by oiling, painting or glazing. Untreated, the shingles are only suitable for indoor use.

How do I fix the shingles? Simply with wood glue. The thin veneer pieces are laid overlapping – which creates the typical shingle look.

Do all the shingles look the same? No, wood is a purely natural material. Colour and grain vary, and small knots are normal – that's exactly what makes every roof unique.

Can I paint the shingles? Yes, the wood is neither varnished nor glazed. Paints, stains, oils and waxes adhere directly to the surface.

Are the shingles produced for stock? No, they are precisely laser-cut after you order – in our own production in Thuringia.

In the end, it's not about veneer and formats. It's about the moment you place the last shingle, take a step back – and your nativity stable roof looks as if a roofer had covered it in miniature. Just choose your size and quantity and get started.