BCAB #1123 - Cedar Shakes and Shingles

Last updated on March 24, 2016

January 30, 1990

BCAB #1123

Re: Cedar Shakes and Shingles

With reference to your letter of January 15, 1990, regarding recent revisions to Articles 9.27.9.2. and 9.27.10.1. of the B.C. Building Code.

Article 9.27.9.2. is a clear option permitting taper-sawn shakes to be laid either as shakes or as shingles, whichever choice is made, the installation must comply fully with the Code provisions for the particular method selected.

Article 9.27.10.1. requires that all cedar roof shakes be 100 per cent edge grain; while CSA 0118.1-1988 is not referenced in the Article, the only grade conforming completely with this requirement is Premium. No. 1 Grade permits up to 20 per cent of flat grain, which means that some material included in such a grade could still be 100 per cent edge grain, but fail to comply with the other requirement for Premium Grade.

Under the circumstances there is nothing to prevent the use of No. 1 Grade shakes, which are 100 per cent edge grain from being used under the provisions of Article 9.27.10.1. The Appendix note, A-9.27.10.1. merely provides a background to the reason for the Code revision.

J.C. Currie, Chairman