Adding card roof tiles

[Coronasan]

I am currently starting to build an MDF church and wanted to try adding card tiles to the roof. I made a gizmo for the tile strips and got to work using cereal boxes and new blade.

I also randomly cut a few tile corners to make sure they looked old.

I am left with the ridge at the top which I am not quite sure how to finish, just a bit folded over the top I think is the easiest.

Any ideas?

[Warren Abox]

Do what you did with a couple more strips.  Then run another cut along the join side of the tiles.  That will give you the same size roofing tiles to use to cover the seam at the top.  Start on one side and overlap the tiles heading across toward the opposite edge of the building, just like they do in real life.

Here's a link to a Home Depot product.  Don't buy the tiles, but look at the pictures to see what your roof should look like when done:
Click here for pics

[PhilB]

This is a tried and true method for doing roof tiles / shingles. I recall buying a whole roll of HO-scale shingles back in the 70s, before I realized how dead simple they are to make.

One advantage to cutting them by hand is that the tiles / shingles will be less regular. Though you can easily change the regularity produced by your die by making a few cuts here and there. IMHO, a little irregularity makes the whole thing feel more real.



As far as the ridgeline is concerned, I decided to simulate planking along the ridgeline on this model. IRL you often see specially formed tiles on more recent roofs, or simply normal tiles laid lengthwise, because the concave shape of the red clay roof tiles so common here in some parts of France makes them ideal for covering the ridge. It all depends on what type of tiles / shingles you're trying to emulate.

[Mindenbrush]

Interesting template you have made for cutting your tile strips, how are you cutting the slots?

Herb Gundt of HGWalls used a similar set up when cutting “wood shingles” for North American buildings from tree wrap material - looks like crepe paper.
He clamped 6 strips of the tree wrap to the template and used a bandsaw to cut the slots.

[Coronasan]

Interesting template you have made for cutting your tile strips, how are you cutting the slots?

The cutting gizmo had wide enough slots to cut two lines about 1mm wide, it means doing two cuts for each tile, but the effect is pretty good.

[tin shed gamer]

An interesting take on producing roof tiles .As you asked for thoughts on ridge tiles I've added a couple of pictures of my prefered solution(as its a lot quicker than a written explanation)As a rule I tend just to use cereal packet card for both ridge tiles and singles/ slates.
There is a quick tutorial on using this card to make Roman roof tiles floating around here that shows how I tackle ridge tiles if that's any help.

[Codsticker]

I am left with the ridge at the top which I am not quite sure how to finish, just a bit folded over the top I think is the easiest...
Any ideas?

I'm not sure if the following would be appropriate with regards to a slate or tile roof as it is of a cedar shingle roof but this picture shows a reconstructed building from Fort King George in Florida courtesy of Anton's Wargame Blog (link).

The shingles on the windward side extend beyond the ridge line a good few inches.

Also check out this slate roof ridge: link.

[Coronasan]

Got it finished...

[Warren Abox]

That looks aces.  A touch of paint will do it up right.

[Coronasan]

The next roof I am trying out is a spire shape.



This was a bit more difficult and I found it best to let each side really dry well before trimming and then doing another side.



I am pleased with the result considering it was a first attempt.

[PhilB]

I like what you've done to make the tiles irregular, despite their built-in regularity. My roofs are a mess, in comparison, and I doubtless spent far more time cutting tiles by hand.

Keep up the good work!