Did you know that the month of May is Home Improvement Month? Warm weather, bright sunshine and time outdoors means it's time to brighten up your exterior for the summer.

Do you have any projects planned to improve your home this month, or even this year?

Have you considered a new roof? Whether you need to replace a roof because of storm damage or you just have an old roof that needs replacing, you might consider DaVinci's lightweight roofing materials as an option.

When it comes to DaVinci you have several green roofing options:

• DaVinci Slate - This is our original slate - it comes in 5 different widths and you can choose whichever color blend fits your fancy.
• DaVinci Shake - This is our original shake - it comes in 5 different widths too and a number of color blends to fit your tastes.
• DaVinci Fancy Shake - Our Fancy Shake has a more sawn appearance rather than a the hand split look.  It comes in 3 different widths.
• Single-width Valoré Slate - As the name suggests - this is a single width shingle of our popular Slate.
• Single-width Valoré Shake - As the name suggests - this is a single width shingle of our popular Shake.
• Bellaforté Slate and Shake- Our newest line of DaVinci products is our Bellaforté - they are interlocking tiles that look like their natural counterparts - in this case, Slate and Shake.

What DaVinci roof profile do you fancy?  Tell us about your home improvement projects this year in the comments below!

Having a career in the design field, I always appreciate the input of other design professionals. Along with making recommendations for the roof, Kate’s suggestion for changing the color of our main entry door validated that the entire home exterior needed to be cohesive. Now we’re working on final touches like lighting sconces and softscaping, and then we’ll have an entirely fresh exterior for our home!

I’m not sure anyone has ever created this custom blend of grays and purples before, but it’s perfect for our home. I wouldn’t change a thing about this experience. We now have a roof we can depend on to resist future severe weather along with colors that embrace the full aspect of our home. Thanks to that one hail storm, our house looks better than ever before!

Mercedez Tylock
Multi-Width Slate in TX
 

 

This product literally caused traffic issues on the main road that fronts our home. During the installation process we had a steady stream of people stopping as they drove by, plus people just camped out on our front lawn asking questions about the product while it was being installed.

Today we are the only home within hundreds of miles with this polymer roofing product. However, after all the excitement it’s generated, I’m certain more Canadians will be requesting it soon.

I’m extremely pleased with this impressive engineered product. It’s got everything we need here in Canada — a 50-year limited warranty that means I’ll never have to replace the roof again in my lifetime, incredible fire-, impact- and insect-resistance, and the aesthetic look that perfectly fits our neighborhood.

It seems that we’ve started a trend in our neighborhood!

Barry George
Thunder Bay, Canada
Bellaforté Slate - Sabino Blend
 

As a homeowner you are heavily vested in keeping your home beautiful and increasing its market value for an eventual sale. Often, special attention is paid to curb appeal by investing in the right materials, the right colors, and spending a lot of time to enhance the exterior of your home. But how do you know which products to choose to add that value to your home? This is a challenge most homeowners face because the different features of products on the market are often times confusing and hard to follow and understand. DaVinci Roofscapes polymer roofing simplifies the whole process!

We manufacture an easy to install luxury roof system that adds value to your home.  Our slate and shake products include single-width Valoré, multi-width DaVinci and Bellaforté profiles. There are 49 standard colors and multiple color blends to get your preferred eco-friendly roof. Simply put, the sky is the limit with your imagination when it comes to our roofing product.

Can’t find the roof color you want? No problem! Our color specialist, Kate Smith, will simplify the whole process for you by using the revolutionary FRESH approach to select the best color for your needs. This is a simple five step process where key fixed features, regional colors, environment and surrounding, style of home and have-to-use colors are carefully analyzed to choose the best hues.  

We also have an online color selection tool to mix and blend your preferred colors. And finally, contact one of our Project Specialists to help you find a qualified contractor and get additional assistance in creating your Masterpiece!  
 

Are you a building or design professional in need of a continuing education credit? Look no further! We have two courses available 24/7 and free to take at your leisure.

The FRESH Approach to Choosing Exterior Colors

The course provides an overview of the FRESH Approach, as laid out by Color Expert Kate Smith. The 1 hour course gives designers a strategic method used for the selection of colors for the exterior of buildings. The course focuses on both residential and commercial design considerations, and details the steps to follow in the color selection process to achieve a harmonious design. It is worth 1 HSW credit.

The Design Advantages of Synthetic Roofing Solutions

The more technical of the two courses, this course provides an overview of the features and benefits of slate and shake synthetic roofing products, including a discussion on the testing methods used to rate specific performance characteristics. It is worth 1 Sustainable Design (SD) credit.

Happy learning (and Happy Friday), Architects!

Exorbitant roof maintenance costs can really dig a hole in your bank account. Added to this is the worry and stress of knowing that your roof may not be giving you the protection it should.

You won’t have this problem with DaVinci polymer roof tiles and here’s why:

• Durable: Backed with a 50-year warranty and made from a high grade polymer, your roof will stand the test of time. As well,  you certainly won’t need to worry about roof hail damage with our Class 4 impact rating. Designed to resist winds of up to 110mph, your roof will stand up to harsh weather conditions without showing glaring signs of wear and tear.

• Eco-friendly: DaVinci polymer roof tiles are 100% recyclable and are available in Cool Roof colors to boost energy efficiency.

• Insect Resistant: Unlike wood that cannot withstand insect attacks, our Multi-Width, Fancy, Bellaforté and Valoré tiles do not rot and are not susceptible to insects.

• Fire Resistant: With a Class A fire rating, your roof will safely resist fires without causing harm.

Not to mention a few added bonuses:

• Beautiful: Yes, they are pretty to look at! Our roofs will complement all the fixtures and fittings of your home or building without being burdensome on the structure. They blend well in any community setting whether with modern or older architecture.

• Flexible Coloring: We have 49 standard colors and also give you the option to send us your own color. This makes it easy to align your decor, building or renovation plans with what works best for you.

• Easy to Install: With our easy to follow installation guides, any professional roofer can install DaVinci tiles.

DaVinci takes pride in our composite roofing products and we're confident with our roofing tiles many features, you really can’t go wrong .
 

If you're a roofing installer and think you've seen it all and tackled the craziest jobs imaginable, then visit Europe!

While on a recent trip, I took these pictures of some very unique roofing projects that I wouldn't have wanted to be involved with. From onion-shaped domes to an all-roof barn in Holland, these projects make me very glad for simple, everyday roofing projects.

While my inclination was to start tearing apart the tar paper and wood board roofs (coated in green algae) I saw by the waterside, calmer heads prevailed and I simply took these pictures ... happy the entire time that when I got home to my polymer Bellaforté Slate roof in the United States I'd be certain to find no algae and no headaches!

If you watch the news, then no doubt you have seen the horrific images of wild fires terrorizing people's homes in California recently. Unfortunately, it seems like every year we see such images from more and more.

If you live in a wild fire prone area, then you might be interested in finding a roofing product that has a great fire rating, like a DaVinci roof.

If you like the look of shake, for example, but know that wood is probably not one of the smarter materials to put on your home because of where you live, you might be interested in our cedar shake alternative. Made to look like the natural version of wood shakes or shingles, our shake product is not made of wood at all. In fact, it is completely made out of 100% virgin polymer or a plastic.

In the video below you can see a 15-year old cedar shake roof deck tested to Class A Fire Test standards against DaVinci Roofscapes synthetic hand-split shake.

Our shake product isn't our only product that has these kinds of results - if the slate look is more your thing, then you'll love our imitation slate tiles that also have the same fire rating.

What are some of your concerns when it comes to wild fire season and your roof?  Please feel free to leave a comment below and let us know your thoughts.

As a home or business owner, one of the most important aspects of your home or building is your roof - it protects everything underneath it. And a roof that has been damaged and is in need of repair or replacement is never welcomed.

But how do you know whether the roof just needs a repair or when it needs to be completely replaced. To help you determine to repair or replace, here are 4 things to consider when making your decision:

1. Weather: How is your roof holding up to the elements? Are you experiencing leaking water on the inside of your home or business? If you have recently experienced a hail storm, hail damage can cause enough damage that your entire roof needs to be replaced. Or sometimes just a few tiles need to be replaced. Think about the recent weather in your area and contact a local roofing company to inspect the damage.


2. Type of Roof - What sort of roof do you have on your home? Asphalt shingles and cedar shakes usually do not last as long as slate roofs, for example. So depending on where you live, what the product is, etc, you will want to consider the age of your roof when making your decision.


3. Curled or Cracked Shingles - Sometimes with weather, shingles can curl and crack - if this is happening all over the roof, then it's time to replace it, whereas if it is only happening here and there, then you can have the individual shingles replaced. A licensed professional roofer will be able to help you make that determination.


4. Look - You hate the look of your roof - you're trying to make the home of your dreams and the roof just isn't cutting it. Whatever your luxury roof dreams are - it's up to you whether or not you'd like to replace it.

DaVinci is a great alternative to natural slate and shake roofs - and with a 50-year warranty, it will probably be one of the last roofs that you put on your house!

Did you decide to replace your roof with our DaVinci composite roofing?  We want to see photos and here your story - please submit it here.

Can’t seem to find a contractor for your roofing and siding needs? Don’t worry, we can help! Simply click on the option “locate a contractor” at the top our website, complete the form and submit it to us. Our team will help you find a member of the DaVinci Masterpiece Contractor Program to install our imitation slate tiles or shake alternative. We work with professionals that fully understand the unique qualities of our products and are dedicated to providing top quality service to home and building owners.

Our blog also features regular interviews with contractors who have used our products. You can read their feedback and get more details about their project profiles to identify similarities with your project and professionals you can hire. If you can’t seem to find the right contractor, then our support team will gladly help you in your search for a qualified contractor that can install our polymer roof tiles.

Most contractors that have experience with synthetic roofing materials or with installing natural cedar shake will be able to install our product. You can take the time to review the product brochure we send to familiarize yourself with our products until you find a contractor. Our website also has customer reviews. You may be able to find a contractor by yourself after you read customer stories. Helpful details from these stories will make it easier to build confidence in a contractor.
 

Improving your home not only increases its market value, it also enhances curb appeal and the likelihood of getting attention of potential buyers quickly if you decide to sell in the future. You may be able to manage simple changes on your own, but it is highly recommended that you get a remodeling professional or a contractor to guide you in the more serious endeavors, like a roof.

Here are some helpful steps you should take into consideration:

• Plan:  Starting a home improvement project without any clear plan is a recipe for disaster. Planning allows you to find the best materials and see home trends that are being used. It also helps to keep a lid on your budget by knowing how much of your resources will be allocated at different stages of the project. Always look into different designs and products to see how your current home can be adapted to implement these changes.

• Examine: Does your home need minor or major improvement? A trained professional eye can guide you to the right answer for this question. You need to carefully examine all the major areas of your house: roof, walls, siding, windows, doors, garage and gutters to see where need to be improved. You should also take the interior of your home into consideration when doing a home improvement project.

• Adhere: Maybe you want to use shingles or go for a cedar shake roof, but are these allowed? Check with your Homeowners Association (if you have one) to see which improvements are permitted. You will avoid many frustrations if you do.

DaVinci Roofscapes is excited to see all the improvements you make to your home in May! Be sure to share your projects with us - we would love to see all the new DaVinci composite slate roof on your rooftops.

Planning to attend the annual AIA National Convention and Expo in Denver June 20-22? We are too! Swing by booth #1764 to have all your questions answered, obtain literature and view and order samples of our synthetic slate and shake roofing products. I look forward to seeing you there!

Turn the calendar page and we’re now in May, which is National Home Improvement Month.

With so many home projects to tackle, where do you start? According to Mark Clement, a professional contractor and host of MyFixitUpLife home improvement radio show, start at the top of the house!

 “National Home Improvement Month in May is the ideal time to shine the spotlight on projects that can make a big difference to both the aesthetic appeal and functionality of your home’s exterior,” says Clement. “Start by looking ‘from the top down’ on your home to determine what projects need to be tackled first. It may be time to add a new roof, replace your windows or door, or even spruce up your home’s exterior with new shutters or trim. All of these projects can add to the curb appeal and overall value of your home.”

According to Clement, checking out the roof should be the top priority for homeowners each year during National Home Improvement Month.

“Using either a ladder or binoculars from across the street, look for problem areas, such as missing or broken shingles, along with roofing tiles that may be ‘flapping’ in the wind,” says Clement. “These are all indications that a new roof may be in your future.

“If that’s the case, research the newer products on the market, such as polymer shake and slate roofing tiles from DaVinci Roofscapes. I selected these impact-resistant tiles for my own home. They’re man-made in a wide variety of colors, are fire- and hail-resistant and have a 50-year limited warranty.”

For more home improvement tips, visit www.myfixituplife.com.

Click here to read full release.

Know what causes traffic to stop in Thunder Bay, Canada? Homeowner Barry George recently discovered that it was the installation of a new DaVinci Roofscapes polymer roof on his home!

“This product literally caused traffic issues on the main road that fronts our home,” says George. “During the installation process of the Bellaforté Slate roofing we had a steady stream of people stopping as they drove by, plus people just camped out on our front lawn asking questions about the product while it was being installed."

“Today we are the only home within hundreds of miles with this polymer roofing product. However, after all the excitement it’s generated, I’m certain more Canadians will be requesting it soon.”

George selected the DaVinci Roofscapes man-made roofing materials after searching the Internet and doing research for a durable roof that could withstand the tough winter weather of Thunder Bay. His 1938 Tudor-style home previously had cedar shake shingles that were deteriorating.

“I’m extremely pleased with this impressive engineered product,” says George. “It’s got everything we need here in Canada --- a 50-year limited warranty that means I’ll never have to replace the roof again in my lifetime, incredible fire-, impact- and insect-resistance, and the aesthetic look that perfectly fits our neighborhood.”

The Sabino blend of Bellaforté Slate product George selected for his roof features Dark Mountain and Dark Autumn colors that complement the brown tones of his home, including the red/brown brick and brown fascia accents. Bellaforté roofing tiles have all the appearance and beauty of natural slate roofing tiles but with a higher level of durability thanks to the company’s proprietary-engineered polymer roofing formula.

For more information on DaVinci Roofscapes products, email us or call us at 1-800-328-4624.

It can be a challenge to select the best colors for the exterior of your home or commercial building.  Factors such as fixed features, regional colors, obligatory colors, environment and surroundings must be taken into consideration to ensure that your choice does not override any existing architecture. How you apply each factor will depend on whether you are working on an existing building or if you are building from the ground up. If you are doing repairs to slate roofs, for example, and want to preserve the current look, color and texture, then you will have to find a material that offers the same qualities.

DaVinci Roofscapes specializes in synthetic slate roofing that is beautiful, fade resistant and durable. Our tile roofs give you the design advantage because with our VariBlend technology we can easily replicate a wide variety of colors to meet your project specifications and personal preferences. Our current slate models include Single-Width Valoré, Multi-Width DaVinci and Bellaforté.

The Single-Width Valoré and Bellaforté slate models are available in the following standard colors: Cambridge, Milano, Sabino, Sedona, Slate Black, Slate Gray, Verde and Villa. The Multi-Width DaVinci is available in Aberdeen, Brownstone, Canyon, Castle Gray, European, Evergreen, Slate Black, Slate Gray, Sonora, Vineyard and Weathered Green. However, you may choose to use any of our standard blends on any of our profiles. Don't see the blend you want? No problem! Visit our online color studio to create your own blend from our 49 standard colors - or send in your own custom color. There is also the possibility to choose from a wide range of Cool Roof colors to reduce your heating and cooling costs while getting Class 4 Impact Rating and Class A fire rating from our products.

If you still have any doubts, then Kate, our color specialist will happily assist you. Send in a picture of your home along with your thoughts and she will provide expert color advice to make your home the masterpiece you are dreaming about!

DaVinci offers a wide range of products to accommodate the preference of all customers. With so many options to choose from, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out which products to use. From our experience, some of our clients often get confused between our Multi-Width, Valoré, and Bellaforté tiles. A common question we hear from consumers is "do all of your tiles use the same technology?" 

The short answer is yes. Our Multi-Width, Valoré, and Bellaforté tiles are all premier products made from the same technology, the different names simply reflect different profiles. We offer several different styles so that it's easier to find the perfect look for your home or building.

Bellaforté slate and shake tiles feature a patented self-aligning feature that makes it easier to install them. They easily replicate natural slate or natural cedar shakes and special care has been taken to guarantee a natural look.

Our Valoré slate and shake profiles also replicate the look of natural slate and wood, are lightweight, and and are a single-width profile that offers a sleek line. 

The Multi-Width line of slate and shake tiles come in 5 different widths and can be installed in a straight or staggered coursing, offering a variety of looks for your roof.

Once you have chosen your profile, you will want to find the color that best suits your home. Visit our online color studio to view our standard blends or create your own blend to suit your preferences. Be sure you take a look at our

Whether you have small or large project, using the best roofing materials can add value to your home for many years to come.
 

Turrets certainly are a nice addition to any home or building and gives it a certain flair, however the installation of roofing tiles on a turret can leave some stumped. With some man power and time, you can complete a turret using our slate or shake roofing tiles, but you might consider looking into our Custom Turret Packages. Basically, you provide us with the measurements of your particular turret, and we will custom engineer a package for you that will include accessories and numbered field bundles along with your own custom turret map.

Happy Friday, Architects!

DaVinci Customers love their roofs and are always excited to share their testimonials and favorite quotes. Low maintenance, beautiful look, easy installation and energy efficiency are just some of the features that our many clients use to describe our products. You can read our customer stories to get a better idea of what we're talking about. Other areas where we know we make a difference include:

• Excellent customer service: We treat each and every one of our clients individually and give their projects our full attention. Both our Sales Support and Technical Teams are highly-trained to handle various types of questions and provide accurate information. We work well with various types of clientele, so we are always ready to serve you. You can scan our website for information about our products or you can call us to get more information.

• Support: We don’t just sell you a designer roof and then walk away. We provide a complete package to make your project smooth sailing and free from headaches. In a nutshell, we give you all the help you need to get your roofing project off the ground and are here to support you after installation as well. From color guidance to selecting a contractor and registering your warranty, we make it easy to use our products and give your building the curb appeal it needs to attract people or just make you feel happy. Our color expert, Kate Smith, has many wonderful tips using her FRESH approach select color.

We appreciate all the clients who have worked with us over the years as we work relentlessly to be a leader in tile roofs. No matter the type of project you have, we are happy to help you get a beautiful roof!
 

Going paperless? We're in! There is no better way to ensure that you have the most up to date information on our slate and shake products than checking out our website. We've made it simple for you to get everything that you need to update your physical binder, or create a digital binder, by putting everything in one place. Click here to jump over to our website. If you prefer a hard copy, you can contact me and I will get an updated copy out to you.

Happy Friday, Architects!

When property owners Ed and Kim Bonk started researching a new roof for their building in historic Beverly, Illinois, they turned to DaVinci Roofscapes.

“The old wooden shake mansard roof we had on our building was deteriorating badly and out-of-character for our downtown area,” said Ed Bonk. “The Beverly area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 and has many real slate roofs. We wanted to keep with that look, but because of the cost and the weight of real slate it seemed impossible. Then we found the option of man-made DaVinci polymer slate roofing tiles.

“The Multi-Width Slate Gray tiles we had installed by Durability Roofing and Construction perfectly complement the 99^th Street Train Station’s roof design right across the street from us. With our new polymer slate roof there’s a newfound cohesiveness in the appearance of our downtown area.”

The building’s new roof has caused quite a stir with local residents. “We had people walking and driving up inquiring about the polymer product,” says Bonk. “I must have given away 20 samples of our materials!”

A cornerstone property in downtown Beverly, the Bonk’s 7,200 square foot building is home to a real estate firm, pizzeria and an insurance company. A landmark cupola sits atop the building, adding character to the structure.

“There are so many advantages to this polymer roof that I won’t be surprised if other area homes and businesses start using it in the future,” says Bonk. “The fact that it holds up to our tough weather conditions, is long-lasting and has no maintenance requirements are all huge assets for us.”