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🌿 How to Build a Bamboo Shingle Roof (Tejamaniles de Bambú)This construction method uses split bamboo shingles, offering...
06/27/2025

🌿 How to Build a Bamboo Shingle Roof (Tejamaniles de Bambú)
This construction method uses split bamboo shingles, offering a sustainable and traditional roofing solution. Illustrated by Oscar Hidalgo López in the Manual de Construcción con Bambú, this guide shows the steps from bamboo prep to full roof coverage.

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🪚 Step-by-Step Guide

1. Preparing the Bamboo Shingles

Cut full bamboo canes (Fig. a) into manageable lengths (40–60 cm).

Clean the inner nodes and split the cane lengthwise into halves (Fig. b & c).

Shape the ends—flat or angled—for overlap and better water runoff (Fig. d & e).

Recommended width: 5 cm to 12 cm.

2. Assembling the Roof Framework

Use horizontal bamboo laths (latas) or purlins (correas) as support beams.

Mount them evenly across the bamboo structure.

3. Placing the Tejamaniles (Fig. f)

Place shingles with the curved face down, mimicking Spanish tiles.

Position in overlapping rows, starting from the bottom (eaves) moving upward to the ridge.

Alternate inner and outer halves for better waterproofing and strength.

At the ridge, finish with wooden or bamboo capping.

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🛠️ Practical Tips

Keep a consistent shingle overlap to prevent leaks.

Bamboo must be properly treated against insects and humidity.

Angle-cut tips help improve runoff and reduce splash-back.

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🎨 Credit

Design and construction method by Oscar Hidalgo López, Universidad Nacional de Colombia – Facultad de Artes, CIBAM.

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🌿 How to Build a Bamboo Shingle Roof (Spanish Tile Style)Inspired by Spanish tiles, this eco-friendly bamboo roofing tec...
06/27/2025

🌿 How to Build a Bamboo Shingle Roof (Spanish Tile Style)
Inspired by Spanish tiles, this eco-friendly bamboo roofing technique uses split bamboo pipes to mimic the appearance and function of traditional curved tiles.

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🛠️ Step-by-Step Construction Guide

1. Preparing Bamboo Shingles

Use short bamboo pieces, split in half.

Cut out the nodes to allow smooth water flow and stacking.

These pieces emulate Spanish tile curvature.

2. Laying the Roof Base

Bamboo shingles are tied to pairs of horizontal bamboo laths (battens).

At the eaves, a thicker batten is installed to equalize the slope/pitch.

3. Installing the Shingles

Position the split bamboo tiles with the curve facing down.

Lay them in overlapping rows, similar to traditional roof tiles.

Secure each shingle to the battens using cord or wire.

4. Ridge Capping

Bamboo pipes are nailed together at the top ridge.

Cover the ridge with an additional half-pipe to seal the joint and prevent water ingress.

5. Wind Resistance

A purline (horizontal bamboo beam) runs across the top layer to keep shingles in place and prevent them from lifting in strong winds.

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🏡 Practical Tips

This system balances aesthetic, ventilation, and drainage.

Ideal for tropical climates due to bamboo’s durability and cooling properties.

Lightweight and low-cost, using entirely natural materials.

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🎨 Credit

Design and diagram by anonymous traditional bamboo artisans, adapted for modern sustainable building practices.

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🔨 How to Build a Traditional Timber Shingle RoofThis guide outlines the process of crafting and installing wooden shingl...
06/27/2025

🔨 How to Build a Traditional Timber Shingle Roof
This guide outlines the process of crafting and installing wooden shingles using only natural materials, including dry bamboo nails. The system is durable, repairable, and environmentally friendly.

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🪵 Step-by-Step Shingle Roof Construction

1. Preparing the Shingles

Material: Use straight-grain timber logs.

Cutting: Saw the log into 70 cm long sections, discard the bark and core.

Final Shingles: Each should be around 2 cm thick and 70 cm long, width may vary.

Drying: Let shingles air-dry before use to prevent warping.

2. Making Bamboo Nails

Use dry bamboo, sharpened to 0.4 cm diameter and 4 cm length.

3. Roof Framing and Batten Setup

Fix horizontal battens on the roof frame.

Shingles will be nailed to these battens, starting from the eaves (bottom) to the ridge (top).

4. Installing the Shingles

Fixing: Each shingle is nailed with a single bamboo nail.

Placement: Shingles are laid close together with staggered joints for waterproofing.

Covering Nails: Each row of nails is hidden by the overlapping row above.

No Overlap Nails: Never allow one nail to pe*****te two shingles.

5. Maintenance Tip

When the exposed top layer of the shingles starts to rot, flip the shingles upside down and reuse them — no new nails needed.

6. Core Orientation Options

Core side downward: Best for initial installation.

Core side downward with spacing: Allows expansion.

Alternating core up and down: Creates a wavy texture, stabilizes overlap.

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🧰 Credit

Traditional construction technique illustrated with practical longevity in mind.

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🧱 Guide to Clay Roof Tiles and Their ApplicationsClay roofing has stood the test of time for durability, aesthetics, and...
06/27/2025

🧱 Guide to Clay Roof Tiles and Their Applications
Clay roofing has stood the test of time for durability, aesthetics, and insulation. This diagram breaks down the various types of clay tiles and components, along with the required roof pitches for optimal water runoff and performance.

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🏗️ Step-by-Step Overview: Types of Clay Roof Tiles

Main Tile Types

Pantile (25°): Curved S-shape for a flowing, undulating appearance; good for faster water runoff.

Roman Tile (25°): Flat with one curved section; interlocks for added weatherproofing.

Marseilles or Mangalore Tile (25°): Flat tiles with interlocking grooves; suitable for monsoon-prone areas.

Chinese or Spanish Tiles (30°): Composed of a pan and cover tile; traditional and effective in rain-shedding.

Plain Tiles (30°): Flat, rectangular tiles that are overlapped for a clean aesthetic and water resistance.

Supplementary Roofing Elements

Ridge Tiles: Cap the peak of the roof, sealing the joint between two slopes.

Valley Trough Tile: Channels water from intersecting roof planes into gutters.

Ventilation Tile: Allows airflow under the roof to reduce moisture buildup.

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🔧 Notes on Roof Pitch

Tile Pitch: The angle at which tiles are laid, usually steeper than the underlying rafter pitch.

Pitch angles listed ensure efficient drainage—25° for most tiles, while plain and Spanish tiles require a steeper 30°.

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📌 Credit: Traditional architectural roofing resources

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🌞🍃 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘇𝗲 & 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁 🏕️🍳Wake up to birdsong, crystal-clear waters, and a table full of fresh, colorful d...
06/24/2025

🌞🍃 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘇𝗲 & 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁 🏕️🍳

Wake up to birdsong, crystal-clear waters, and a table full of fresh, colorful dishes. This riverside camping setup is a peaceful blend of nature and nourishment.

🥐 On the table: A hearty breakfast with fruits, greens, bread, eggs, and coffee
🔥 In the center: A warm campfire to start the day
⛺ Beside the trees: A cozy tent shaded under a tarp

Everything about this moment whispers calm, comfort, and connection. This is the art of slow living — camping style. Would you start your day here? 🌿

📸 Credit: Scenic riverside breakfast camp

🎒 Ultimate Bushcraft Loadout: How to Pack Like a True Outdoorsman 🌲🪓This field-ready pack is built for serious wildernes...
06/24/2025

🎒 Ultimate Bushcraft Loadout: How to Pack Like a True Outdoorsman 🌲🪓

This field-ready pack is built for serious wilderness exploration. Every tool has its place, and every strap has a purpose. Here’s how to build a tactical-ready bushcraft backpack like this:

Step-by-Step Packing Setup:

1. Start with a Durable Frame Pack:
➤ Choose a MOLLE-compatible rucksack with padded support and external lashing points.

2. Tool Placement:
➤ Secure your hatchet and fixed-blade knives in protective leather sheaths—easy to access but safely covered.
➤ Attach a folding saw and firesteel alongside for wood processing and fire-starting.

3. Pouch Strategy:
➤ Side pockets can hold water bottles, cooking tools, or rations.
➤ Use MOLLE pouches or inner compartments for organization.

4. Quick Access Gear:
➤ Attach a paracord bracelet or cord roll for repairs and emergency use.
➤ Stash first-aid or signaling tools in hip belt pockets.

5. Balance and Fit:
➤ Keep heavy items centered and low.
➤ Tighten all straps to stabilize the load.

This isn’t just a backpack—it’s your life-support system in the wild. Built for reliability, speed, and function.

📸 Credit: .man.the.woodsman

This image features a traditional wigwam or winter lodge constructed using birch bark panels and sapling frameworks, a s...
06/23/2025

This image features a traditional wigwam or winter lodge constructed using birch bark panels and sapling frameworks, a shelter design deeply rooted in Indigenous North American practices, particularly among Algonquian-speaking peoples (e.g., Ojibwe, Mi’kmaq, and Abenaki).

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🏕️ Wigwam Overview

🔹 Structure Type: Dome-shaped or conical bark-covered lodge

🔹 Primary Materials:

Bent Saplings or Poles: Used to form the frame in a semi-spherical or conical shape.

Birch Bark Sheets: Overlapping pieces lashed to the frame, providing insulation and water resistance.

Snowshoes: A snowshoe is mounted symbolically or practically atop the structure, possibly for storage or drying.

Canvas or Hide Door Flap: Acts as an insulating entrance, protecting from wind and snow.

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❄️ Adaptation for Winter Use

Snow-Insulated Base: Snow around the base helps trap warmth inside, acting as natural insulation.

Layered Bark: Birch bark is highly effective at repelling water, insulating heat, and blocking wind.

Smoke Hole at Top (Not Clearly Visible): Traditionally, wigwams feature a small vent at the top to allow smoke from an interior fire to escape safely.

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🌲 Cultural Significance

This wigwam:

Reflects a sustainable, low-impact forest dwelling method.

Showcases ancestral knowledge of thermal regulation, using only natural materials.

Is often hand-built for educational, ceremonial, or survivalist purposes today.

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📍 Possible Use Contexts

Wilderness living/survival schools

Cultural preservation or Indigenous land teaching programs

Personal bushcraft project in temperate forest regions

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🏷 Suggested Caption

> "Birch Bark Wigwam: Winter Shelter Rooted in Tradition"
Built from the forest itself, this handmade wigwam uses a sapling frame and overlapping birch bark sheets to create a warm, weatherproof lodge. Inspired by Indigenous North American craftsmanship, the structure honors sustainable shelter-making in harmony with the land.

Crafted a vertical forest retreat using the space between two sturdy trunks. The raised sleeping platform keeps you off ...
06/18/2025

Crafted a vertical forest retreat using the space between two sturdy trunks. The raised sleeping platform keeps you off the wet ground, while the natural canopy and bark-wrapped roof shield from rain. Built-in shelving stores essentials, and the fire pit beneath offers warmth and cooking. A true example of elevated bushcraft living!

Credit: Design inspired by forest minimalist architecture and primitive survival engineering.










🛠️ Elevated Bushcraft Cot with Shelter TarpThis woodland cot setup keeps you dry, clean, and comfortable off the forest ...
06/18/2025

🛠️ Elevated Bushcraft Cot with Shelter Tarp

This woodland cot setup keeps you dry, clean, and comfortable off the forest floor while offering basic rain and sun protection with a sloped tarp. Lightweight, modular, and crafted using local timber and canvas—this is true minimalist camping at its best.

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Built an elevated bushcraft cot using locally cut wood and lashed frame joints. The angled tarp roof protects against sun and light rain, while the raised platform avoids damp soil, insects, and ground cold. Ideal for longer basecamps or low-impact wilderness travel.

Credit: Shelter concept by a bushcraft enthusiast passionate about sleeping clean in the wild.










🏕️ Suspended Wilderness Shelter: Hanging Between the PinesBuilt a suspended tarp shelter between two sturdy pines using ...
06/18/2025

🏕️ Suspended Wilderness Shelter: Hanging Between the Pines

Built a suspended tarp shelter between two sturdy pines using strong ridge lines and reinforced knots. Staying off the ground helps avoid wet soil, insects, and cold transfer while offering a unique view of the forest floor. Add a bug net and you’ve got a perfect elevated camp.

Credit: Designed and suspended in the wild by a backwoods builder who prefers the forest air beneath their feet.










🌲 A Peaceful Morning in a Tarp Shelter: Wilderness Simplicity Done RightBuilt this minimalist tarp shelter deep in the w...
06/18/2025

🌲 A Peaceful Morning in a Tarp Shelter: Wilderness Simplicity Done Right

Built this minimalist tarp shelter deep in the woods using two strong ridge poles and a tight lean-to design. After a long day of chopping, carving, and fire-tending, waking up to this tranquil forest view made it all worth it. Wrapped in wool socks and sipping from a wooden kuksa—it’s the little bushcraft moments that matter most.

Credit: Built and photographed by a backcountry soul who finds peace in the craft of living simply and skillfully in the wild.










The image shows a well-organized and rustic shelter setup in the woods, with the following features:1. Cozy Hammock Setu...
06/16/2025

The image shows a well-organized and rustic shelter setup in the woods, with the following features:

1. Cozy Hammock Setup: Inside the shelter, a hammock is suspended, offering a comfortable place to rest. The individual appears to be relaxing with their feet propped up, signaling a peaceful atmosphere.

2. Shelving for Storage: A wooden shelf holds personal items such as a bag, water bottles, and other essentials, contributing to a functional living space.

3. Fire Pit: A small, controlled fire burns in a stone-enclosed pit outside the shelter, offering warmth and light for the camp.

4. Wood Storage: Neatly stacked firewood is stored within the shelter, indicating preparedness for future use of the fire pit.

5. Natural Elements: The shelter blends seamlessly into its natural surroundings, with trees visible outside and natural materials like wood forming the structure.

This setup is ideal for those looking for a basic, self-sufficient outdoor shelter with both comfort and practicality, offering warmth, protection, and storage.

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