The objective of this project was to design a shingle using recycled ground tire rubber capable of withstanding Winnipeg, MB weather conditions. Our team developed and tested various rubber and additive mixtures to assess their strength and durability under specific conditions. Of the mixtures that seemed promising during initial testing phases, they were then subjected to weather simulations representing 1 in 25-year storm conditions in Winnipeg.

The final stage involved creating full-scale prototypes using a mold designed by the team, which ultimately determined the project’s success. Despite initial promising results, unexpected failures occurred during the full-scale production phase, resulting in inconclusive findings regarding shingle viability. Further testing and refinement are necessary to meet the client’s requirements and to address the challenges that were encountered during this project.

Recommendations for future research and improvements include optimizing the materials used, enhancing the appearance of the shingles to better suit the aesthetic desires of the client, improve efficiency by manufacturing a different mold, process optimization such as incorporating an injection mold and exploring liquid mixture formulations, and researching the feasibility and economic factors in mass-producing shingles using the proposed materials.