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IS 2700:1987 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for roofing with wooden shingles. This code covers the materials, dimensions, and methods of laying wooden shingles for roofing purposes. It provides guidelines on roof pitching, batten spacing, preservative treatments for timber, and proper nailing techniques to ensure a weather-tight and durable sloped roof, particularly in hilly or timber-rich regions.
Code of practice for roofing with wooden shingles
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Architectural — Building Construction Practices incl. Painting, Varnishing
! Ensure timber used for shingles is properly seasoned and pressure-treated with preservatives as per IS 401 to prevent decay and termite attacks.
! Only use rust-proof nails (hot-dip galvanized, copper, or zinc-coated) to prevent the nails from rusting and staining or rotting the surrounding wood.
! Adequate roof pitch must be maintained to allow rapid shedding of rainwater and snow to avoid water stagnation and ingress.
wooden shinglestimberwood preservativesgalvanized nails
International Equivalents
Similar International Standards
IRC 2021International Code Council (ICC), USA
HighCurrent
International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings
Prescribes installation requirements for wood shingle roofing in Chapter 9, Section R905.7.
CSSB Roofing Manual 2021Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau (CSSB), USA/Canada
HighCurrent
CSSB Roofing Manual for Certi-label Cedar Shakes & Shingles
Provides authoritative, best-practice installation guidelines for cedar shingle roofing systems.
NZS 3604:2011Standards New Zealand, New Zealand
MediumCurrent
Timber-framed buildings
Contains a dedicated section (10.5) covering requirements for shingle and shake roofs.
ASTM D6761-17ASTM International, USA
MediumCurrent
Standard Guide for the Use of Wood Shingles
Offers non-mandatory guidance on the design, materials, and application of wood shingle roofs.
Key Differences
≠IS 2700 mandates a steep minimum roof pitch of 30°, whereas North American standards like the IRC allow for pitches as low as 14° (3:12) with specific underlayment procedures.
≠Underlayment (roofing felt) is optional under IS 2700, only recommended in areas with heavy rain or snow. In contrast, the IRC and CSSB manual make underlayment mandatory for all applications.
≠North American standards (CSSB, IRC) place significant emphasis on providing ventilation space below the shingles to promote drying and extend roof life, a topic not addressed in IS 2700.
≠IS 2700 specifies permitted local timber species (e.g., Deodar, Teak). International standards focus on a performance-based grading system (e.g., No. 1, No. 2) primarily for Western Red Cedar.
Key Similarities
≈All standards require shingles to be fastened with two corrosion-resistant nails per shingle, placed away from the edges and above the exposure line of the subsequent course.
≈The fundamental concept of a three-course system, where each shingle course covers the joints of the course immediately below and is lapped by the course two rows above (headlap), is common to all standards.
≈The supporting roof structure (battens in IS 2700, spaced sheathing in the IRC) is required to be spaced at a distance equal to the weather exposure of the shingles.
≈The basic physical form of a shingle, being sawn and tapered with a thicker butt end and a thinner tip, is a universal characteristic across all compared standards.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Minimum Roof Pitch
30 degrees
14 degrees (3:12), with 18.5 degrees (4:12) recommended
IRC 2021 / CSSB Manual
Weather Exposure (for 400mm / 16" shingle)
~162.5 mm (Calculated as (Length - 75mm lap)/2)
127 mm (5 inches) for roofs >18.5°
IRC 2021, R905.7.5
Side Lap / Joint Offset
Not specified as a minimum dimension, joints must be staggered.
≥ 38 mm (1.5 inches)
IRC 2021, R905.7.6
Underlayment Requirement
Optional
Mandatory
IRC 2021, R905.1.1
Number of Fasteners per Shingle
2
2 (for shingle widths up to 254mm / 10")
IRC 2021, R905.7.7
Shingle Butt Thickness (Typical)
10 mm
~9.5 mm to 13 mm (varies by grade)
CSSB Grading Rules
Fastener Material
Copper or heavily galvanized iron
Stainless steel (Type 304 or 316), hot-dipped galvanized steel, or copper
CSSB Manual / IRC 2021
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values5
Quick Reference Values
recommended minimum roof pitch30 degrees
standard lengths of shingles300 mm, 380 mm, or 450 mm
typical thickness at butt end10 mm to 15 mm
moisture content limitNot exceeding 15% at the time of laying