Using Locust.....

[mywaynow]

Thoughts on using BL as material for roof shingles. Never rots and is hard. Not impossible to work with, though tuff. Just contemplating another way to make use of the stuff.

 

[lukem]

Old timers around here used oak back in the day (old farm houses, barns, and covered bridges are easily found with oak shake roofs), even though most places are filthy with BL. I'm sure there's a reason for that, but have no idea what it is.

Maybe it is more permeable to water than oak? Maybe they split too easy (not splitting into shakes, but crack after they are shakes)? Maybe they are just fine?

 

[Jags]

I think BL is a bugger to keep from splitting at the thinner thicknesses. Also - being quite hard, nails will probably have more of a tendency to split them.

 

[begreen]

Interesting question. I would think it would be best as shingles and not shakes, sawn and put up green.This discussion should be helpful:
http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Making_Your_Own_Wood_Shakes_or_Shingles.html

Need a deck?
(broken link removed to http://gowood.blogspot.com/2013/04/going-green-with-black-locust-deck.html)