How to Achieve the Desired Roofing Design and Durability
Roofing trends may change over time due to economics, or differ from region to region, but what has remained consistent is homeowners’ desire for a natural beauty and aesthetic in their roofs. As one of the most visible portions of the home, roofs need to convey the style of the house while also protecting it from severe weather events, foreseen or unforeseen. Today’s composite roofing tiles are able to accomplish the look of popular materials such as wood shake and natural slate, while also offering better performance and durability.
Even after installation, roofing tiles are constantly being tested—by the sun, wind, rain, cold, and more. Composite roofing has been shown to last longer than natural materials and is an attractive option for remodelers looking to renovate wood shake or natural slate roofs while retaining the same beauty.
Wood shake roofs have been around since colonial times, and because they are made from split logs, each shingle can vary in thickness and width. Cedar shake is considered the most popular, but if it is not maintained properly or it is exposed to unfavorable conditions, cedar shake has a tendency to rot, crack and curl. This can cause natural shake roofs to age faster than anticipated or desired. Despite this, the look of cedar shake remains popular with many.
Known for its natural aesthetic and longevity, slate shingles can be shaped into a variety of thicknesses and sizes. And unlike cedar shake, slate is non-combustible and does not carry any fire risks. However, slate is also considered quite fragile; low-quality material or poor installations are more prone to crack or break after particularly damaging hailstorms. Slate’s heavy weight also means that remodelers need to ensure the existing structure of the home can support it.
On the other hand, the versatility and diversity of composite roofing can solve many of the challenges found with such materials. Made of pure virgin resins, UV and thermal stabilizers, and specialized fire retardants, composite roof tiles from DaVinci Roofscapes emulate and even improve upon the aesthetic of cedar shake and natural slate. Remodelers can select from a large variety of color options that result in aesthetically pleasing colors and a natural-looking composite slate or shake roof. Three different tile options also allow for any roofing vision to come to life—from multi-width to single-width to DaVinci’s Bellaforté option, remodelers can opt for straight or staggered patterns to create a natural, non-repeating appearance.
The performance and durability of composite roofing tiles also compares favorably to traditional materials such as shake, slate and asphalt. For example, DaVinci’s tiles carry a Class A fire rating, Class 4 Impact Rating, and a 110 mph wind rating, making them able to perform better than other roofing categories and suited for roofs in any climate or region. The tiles’ resins and UV stabilizers also help to prevent color fading over time and material deterioration, making composite roofing a timeless option for reroofing projects.