If you are wondering about the best way to choose colors for your home exterior then I have some great news for you. I've taken my years of experience choosing colors for hundreds of homes and put it into easy to follow steps for you to download for FREE in the DaVinci Roofscapes Color Studio. 

In my first ebook FRESH Home Exterior Colors: 5 Steps for Finding the Perfect Hues for Your Home I introduce you to my FRESH approach for picking your colors in five steps.

In the second ebook FRESH Color Schemes for Your Home Exterior I provide step-by-step color guidance for seven different home styles. You will see how I use a “top down” approach, giving you insights on adding eye-pleasing color palettes to your home exterior starting with the roof, then working your way down to consider your siding, window frames, front door and trim. As you see how I create these looks you will quickly learn how to do the same for your home.

Here is an example of selecting a color scheme for the colonial home you see above rendered with the suggested colors. Just as you will do for your own home, I considered each part of "FRESH", the homeowner's like and dislikes, their personal style and vision they had for their home. These are the steps I took for this home. You can see examples of the other six styles in FRESH Color Schemes for Your Home Exterior.

The existing polymer shake roof is color has variations in the tones but the overall color is a warm natural Cedar.

Recently installed windows with Pine Green grids need to be treated as a fixed feature. When window grids are a distinct color it is the one time they will weigh into your color scheme decisions. The reason window grids aren’t usually taken into consideration is because they don’t carry much visual weight in your overall scheme. Often they are white or off-white and will fade into the background of your façade. For this reason you don’t have to take their color into consideration when you plan your scheme. 

This home already has two colors. Now choose the third by thinking about what colors could work with Cedar and Pine Green. Shades of brown, yellow, blue, warm grey or beige/tan are the natural choices. As you consider colors there may be one you like with the existing colors not as your main color. Might it make a good accent color? If so, keep it in mind but don’t choose the exact shade until you reach the point in the process for selecting that color. For example, add to our two set colors, Cedar and Pine Green the possibility of using blue in the scheme, and look for a main color that will work with all three. I selected Colonial Revival Stone. It is a warm neutral that will blend nicely with the cedar color of the roof, will allow the pine window grids to stand out and will be complimented by a blue. 

If replacement windows are being put in and you want a color other than white or off-white you need to select that color now. If your windows will remain the same select your trim color. If your home has shutters, now select the color for the shutters. In this example, I chose Rookwood Dark Brown, a tone slightly darker than the roof. Choosing a color that is in the same neutral tone as the main will allow the Pine Green windows to be the prominent color at the window. Not choose a trim color that harmonizes with the colors in your palette at this point. Classical White was my choice for the trim.

On the colonial-style home the front door is often the main focal point on the façade. A contrasting color is often chosen for this reason. This is your opportunity to give even the most classic colonial some personality. Teal Blue was my choice to give character to this scheme.

Finally step back and ask yourself, "Is Any Other Color Needed?"

Look carefully at your home. Make note of which of the colors you have selected will be applied to each architectural detail of the exterior. Is there an area of the exterior that you haven’t chosen a color for? On a colonial this might be a porch ceiling or floor or garage door. If so, choose it now. Once you've looked at the entire home and selected the colors for each element following my FRESH approach, congratulate yourself...

Now you see how easy it can be to find the perfect colors for your home exterior. If you haven't already downloaded the download for FREE ebooks in the DaVinci Roofscapes Color Studio go do that right now. Then make sure to stop back here over the next few weeks as I share more of my experience and insights on choosing exterior colors.

From their patio area sitting atop Mill Mountain, Kevin and Nancy Dye have a sweeping view of downtown Roanoke, Va. The only home high up on the north side of the mountain, the landmark property sits just below the famous illuminated Mill Mountain Star, making it a much-seen location.

“An original red Mediterranean tile roof was on the house when it was built in 1929, but over the years it was replaced,” says homeowner Nancy Dye. “Since the house is often in shadows on the north side of the mountain, the black roof made the home look dark and foreboding.

"We did an extensive amount of research on roofing materials and searched for a realistic and durable slate product. The result is a DaVinci Roofscapes Multi-Width Slate roof that we love. We brightened up the home’s exterior by selecting the Vineyard blend of eight different colors --- dark and medium tan, light and medium gray, light and dark violet, dark stone and dark amber. This color combination fits the era of the home and complements our cobblestone driveway and sidewalk, the stone exterior of the house and our copper gutters and snow guards.”

Fixing an Old Roof

The weather and structure damage to the roof of the Dye’s home was extensive. The team at Miller Roofing & Guttering out of Roanoke was brought in to remove the damaged materials and asbestos tiles, and completely reroof the home.

“Along with the structural challenges on this project, the weather didn’t cooperate with us too much, but we got the job done successfully,” says Richard C. Miller, president and owner of Miller Roofing & Guttering. “The installation of the DaVinci product was flawless. As we laid in the different colors you could see the house exterior lighten up and come to life.

“This was our first experience installing DaVinci roofing products, but I really don’t think it will be our last. The product has a lot going for it --- a 50-year limited warranty, impact- and fire-resistancy, and the slate and shake tiles come in such a wide variety of colors that homeowners are certain to find what they’re looking for. Plus, the slate product we installed was extremely realistic-looking while not being as heavy as natural slate!”

For more details on colorful roofs, visit Colorful Custom Roof Projects - Part I

This morning I opened up my web browser to see yet another article about tiny houses and the movement for people to downsize and make do with (much) less space. I think our roof tiles would look pretty cool on those tiny houses, so if you know of any of DaVinci slate or shake on these homes, be sure to send a picture my way.

We have, however, frequently worked with people on finding the right look for their smaller scale projects. Guard houses, gazebos, pool houses, park shelters, play houses, you name it we've seen it. Just because a building a small doesn't mean it can't have a luxury roof!

Happy Friday, Architects!

What do you recommend for a roof type and color on my house ( picture provided ) and why?

Thank you for your recommendations in advance.

Nagi
Omaha, NE
Product: Bellaforté

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Hello Nagi,

The Bellaforté Slate would work very well for your home. The size of the tiles are a good match for the style of your stately home.

With the variation of color in your brick I recommend less variation in the color of your roof. You do not want the two patterns to compete. At the same time some variation will be attractive, It just needs to be subtle. Going with two or three colors in the same family will produce this effect. I am suggesting Bellaforté in Medium Light Tahoe, Medium Tahoe, and Medium Dark Tahoe as one color variation to consider.

Look at the colors next to your home and find the warm tone that is the best match with the deeper tones in your brick. Once you know which one that is your DaVinci design consultant can help you to put together an order for the right colors.

Sincerely,

Kate Smith
DaVinci Roofscapes Color Expert

One of the first questions our representatives are asked about our product is what type of warranty it carries. After all, many homeowners and business owners aren't (and shouldn't be) in the habit of replacing roofs. We also believe in our products and therefore want to offer a warranty that surpasses comparable products in the roofing industry.

If you are wondering about our warranty, you will be pleased to hear that our roofing products are backed by our 50-Year limited warranty.

If you would like to read the warranties and all the legal details, you may do so through these links:

• DaVinci's 50-Year Warranty for the Continental USA and Canada
• DaVinci's 50-Year Warranty for Alaska and Hawaii and International locations

If you are a DaVinci roof owner and are looking to register your roof for warranty, you can do so through this link - Register Your DaVinci Warranty.

Do you have a DaVinci roof? Have you registered for your warranty? We would love to hear about your experience with our company. Please feel free to leave a comment below!

Sometimes when the summer heat is beating on your neck and sweat is running down your face, it's hard to think about snow. However, when it comes to roofs, summer is one of the best times to think about the snow potential for the upcoming season.

Perhaps you had a lot of snow last year, and the snow came tumbling off your roof, damaging your bushes and other shrubs below.

Did you know there's a way to prevent that snow avalanche from coming off your roof?

The answer is snowguards.

Snowguards are metal devices that can be retrofitted onto your existing DaVinci roof - they help snow to melt slowly and therefore come off your roof in a nice, peaceful manner (usually in the form of water), rather than all at once, creating an avalanche effect.

If you are installing a new DaVinci roof and live in an area where there is a decent amount of snow fall every year, snowguards are definitely something to consider to protect the areas below the roof of your home or business (including bushes, shrubs, vehicles and more).

You can read more about snowguards through the following posts:

• Great Time to Install Snowguards!
• Don't Forget Snowguards!
• What Are Snowguards and Why Are They Necessary?

Do you have questions about snowguards or DaVinci products? Email us or give a call at 1-800-328-4624.

From the classic little black dress to a luxury black sedan, black is a timeless, upscale color.

According to national color expert Kate Smith, the most timeless roofing colors used on American homes include black, gray and cedar. And, colors that are gaining popularity in “shaking up” today’s roofs include shades of green, clay and terracotta.

"Black never goes out of style for any use,” says Smith, president and chief color maven of Sensational Color. “There is an upscale feeling about black that crosses product and category boundaries.

“It’s not surprising that black, which denotes power and authority, is perhaps the most popular roofing color. For a lighter shade of black, gray clearly is the next most timeless color for roofs --- especially because so many people have selected natural slate roofs over the years.”

Smith, who provides color consultancy for DaVinci Roofscapes, notes that bright colored roofs were far more common historically than people realize.

“Colorful roofs with a range of reds, greens and even golds were used in all styles of homes in the past,” says Smith. “And, for homes with wood roofing, nothing matches a natural cedar color for a timeless appeal. Again, the historical aspect of people using real wood shakes, which were widely available in rural areas, has driven the popularity of this color over the years.”

New Classic Roofing Colors

In today’s home environment, Smith points out that consumers are expressing themselves more often with different colors --- and blends of colors --- on their roofs.

“Working with DaVinci I’ve seen how people’s tastes vary and how they enjoy having 49 standard roof colors to choose from,” says Smith. “While a majority of people request the polymer roofing tiles in black and gray, some people really wish to ‘shake up’ their roofs. Those homeowners may select a green blend of roofing tiles that beautifully complements both warm and cool tones on the rest of the home. And, green roofs work well in wooded settings or can easily ‘soften’ the look of a home in an exposed location.”

For a Mediterranean style home, Smith suggests that a terracotta or clay color can add accent appeal to the exterior. To replicate the look of cedar, but get all the advantages of a polymer shake roof, Smith recommends a Tuscano blend of light, medium light, medium and dark autumn colors that combine to provide the timeless “color feeling” of cedar.

Can’t decide which roofing color matches your needs? No problem. Smith and DaVinci recently introduced a new "FRESH Exterior Color Schemes" downloadable ebook --- available free by clicking HERE. For more color information, visit Adding Color to the Exterior of the Home

If you live in a region where strong winds and bad storms are common due to hurricanes, then more than likely you are searching for a roofing material that can withstand hurricane force winds and strong impacts.

Hurricanes bring with them high winds, driving rain and flying debris, all of which can severely damage your roof. Our lightweight roofing tiles have been engineered to provide a Class 4 impact rating and superior wind resistance to hurricane force winds. Here's a breakdown of our various roofing systems and their high wind approvals:

Succesfully tested to 110MPH through the ASTM D 3161 Wind Test:

• DaVinci Slate
• DaVinci Shake
• Bellaforté Slate
• Bellaforté Shake

Miami Dade Code  & Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) Approvals:

• DaVinci Slate & Shake
• Valoré Slate& Shake
• Bellaforté Slate & Shake

You'll love that our products are really lightweight too - weighing between 200-340 lbs per roofing square (depending on the product you choose). So you don't have to have a really heavy roof in order to withstand the forces of hurricane winds. In other words, you don't have to spend more money to beef up your roof structure to support the weight of a heavier roof.

Do you have a DaVinci imitation slate roof? Did you buy it because of it's hurricane wind resistance? How has it worked out for you? We would love to hear about how well it has performed. 

What questions do you have about our lightweight roofing materials? We're here to help you address any questions you have.

A common scenario - your client is ready for a roof, but doesn't want to change the look of the home or the building too much. So this puts you on the hunt to find colors that match the old slate or tile that is currently up. The DaVinci Color Studio is amazing for designers who want to customize blends for their clients. With this tool you can choose a single color or multi-color option and then use any of our 49 colors to create exactly what you need and order samples right off our website.

Do you have a project where you are trying to match to an existing roof? Perhaps natural slate, shake or a competitor's product? Let your local roofing expert help! We offer 49 individual colors, improving your chances of finding an exact match. Contact me today to be put in touch with your local representative.

Megan Stone - mstone@davinciroofscapes.com

Happy Friday Architects!

We need your thoughts on a blend for our home. Current picture is wood shake and we need to pick a combo ASAP. We like Slate Gray for the main color, but want to combo with these possible options: Med. Chesapeake, Med. Gray, Dark Tahoe, Med or Light Mountain. Or if you already have a mix, like "Blend" Slate Gray, or "Blend" Villa which also looks nice.

Thanks!!!!

TJ Jackson
Omaha, NE
Product: Bellaforté

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Hello Mr. Jackson,

I have looked at the photos you submitted of your including the close up of your brick and here are my recommendations for your roof color.

Yes, if you like the look of slate it will work beautifully on your home. I think the Bellaforté slate profile is an excellent choice for your size and style of home.

You mention you like a blend of colors and some possible options you have been considering. Rather than a blend of several different colors however I would recommend staying with like tones in a range of light to dark. 

Your bricks already has a distinct color/pattern variations that are lovely and an eye-catching feature of your home. You do not want to have a roof that also has a distinct pattern that will fight with your bricks for attention but rather a blend that compliments the brick and creates and overall harmonious look.

It is often hard to finalize a color based on photos because what I am seeing might not be an accurate representation of your actual brick colors. Instead I want to give you two color directions to consider and I think by looking at them against your actual brick in good light you will know which is the one to go with.

Look at both the Villa blend and the Cambridge blend. The first it gray and leans towards the color of your grout. The second is more brown and seems to be a nice blend with the brick colors. Either can work but I have a feeling one will simply look a bit better to you than the other based on the actual brick color and your personal taste. Whichever you choose I think you will be very happy with how the Bellaforté slate will give your home a new look.

I hope that information is helpful in making your final selection.

Sincerely,

Kate Smith
DaVinci Roofscapes Color Expert

Looking for advice on colors & style of shake or slate to use on my house. So far it looks like i will be using gray stucco. I am leaning towards the grays in the roof color. Any suggestions? I have attached a photo.

Luis
Huntington Beach, CA
Product: Multi-Width DaVinci or Bellaforté


 

**************************************************************************************************************************************

Hello Luis,

I think you are on the right track with a gray blend for your roof. As far as slate or shake, the choice is really your personal choice since either will work well on your home. I might go with slate just because it will be a more noticeable change but go with the look you like best.

As for color, I'd use Villa or Castle Gray blends for slate or a similar color mix in shake. The thing you will want to do is make sure that the gray for your stucco blends with the colors in the roof. It does not need to match exactly, however you do not want one to be more of a cool (bluish) gray and one to be a warm (brownish) gray. Both should be either warm or cool.

A couple of other thoughts that I think would be nice on your home. Keeping your trim white or a light gray works fine however I would paint the garage door to match your main gray color. This will make is seem less of a focal point and the you will notice the windows more, which is a nice detail with the overall look of your home.

I would also paint the chimney to match or blend with the main color, too. Then bring the eye to your front door by painting it in a fun color. I would go very bold with Citron, Tangerine or Aqua to give your home a very young and updated look. If going that bright isn't for you find a color you love and fits your personality. Just go with something deep enough that it is going to stand out.

I hope that helps you with your decision and if you want to send pictures when it is finished I'd love to see them.

Sincerely,

Kate Smith
DaVinci Roofscapes Color Expert





















 

When I was traveling in Colorado a couple of weeks ago I saw a fabulous looking Bellaforté Shake job being installed by Turner Morris Roofing Systems. Turner Morris is a member of the DaVinci Masterpiece Contractor Program and is located in Arvada, Colorado. Actually it was multiple jobs that I saw as they were installing hundreds of squares of Bellaforté Shake on a series of Townhouses. When Scott Cunningham of Turner Morris showed me around the jobsite I saw that the roofs looked great. They had some nice flashing details for installing snow fences, in fact all the metal details I could see were very professionally done. The one detail that really stood out to me was the way they started the hip and ridge.

In our installation instructions we describe cutting a piece of hip and ridge in triangles and mitering them on the bottom to start the hip and ridge. I guess Scott’s team didn’t like that idea, and as shown below used painted steel broken just right so that it very nice and neat. The metal blends in well and makes for a very nice look. 

If any of you have novel installation details you would like to share, don't be bashful, please let us know!

If you are in the process of constructing a home or a building, or just re-roofing, then it's important to understand all that you need to consider for your project. Whatever venture may be, there are many things that factor in to costs.

One key consideration for a re-roof project is tear-off. You need to think about and be aware of possible extra costs generated from the time, labor and materials involved in tearing off the old roof. Make sure you ask about these costs and that they are included in your estimate.

If you have a new construction project, tear off won't be an added cost because everything is being laid for the first time, so there is nothing to tear off or throw away. However, make sure you ask about any extras that could bump up your costs, like decking, nails, etc. Always ask if the estimate includes all materials and labor.

Other key items consider:

• HOA and City Rules - Know the roofing materials that your HOA or city allows.  Also, you will want to know if you need a building permit - waiting on a building permit on the day that the job starts doesn't make anyone happy.
• Material - Be prepared with the type of lightweight roofing materials that you're interested in using. Have you see samples? Do you like it? Have you seen it on a roof?
• Roofer Estimates - 3 names of roofers to call - you definitely want to get at least three bids for your roofing project.
• Roofing Pitch - roofers can figure this out, but it's nice to have when you call to set up an appointment for an estimate.
• Weather and Timing - depending on where you live, there might be limitations as to when a roofing product can be installed. For example, some roofing products cannot be installed in cold weather. So while a roofer might be inclined to work in colder weather, the roofing product might not be up for the task

If you are interested in reading more on this subject, here is some additional information:

• Things To Consider Before Replacing Your Roof
• How To Get Roofing Estimates

What other factors were important for you when you got a roofing estimate? Are you a roofer? What items do you like for business owners or homeowners to have ready?

People often lament that choosing exterior colors is so much harder than picking colors for an interior when just the opposite is true. When choosing interior colors there are so many factors to consider. When it comes to exterior colors the process is much simpler because your home will tell you which colors will look best. All you need to do is learn how to tune in and hear what your home is saying.

Just as in any good conversation, listening is a big part of the equation and the same is true when choosing colors for your exterior. To get the conversation started, begin by asking these questions and then listen to how your home responds. In the answers will be the clues to your perfect exterior colors. This will be true whether you are deciding on the blend for your sustainable roofing system or the color for your front door.

• Question 1: What parts of the exterior are long-term or permanent? These would be things like brick or stone facade, stairs, retaining walls or even the roofing material. What color or color cast do these features have in common?
   
• Question 2: What colors are common in my region? Look around your neighborhood or city. What colors or types of color are being used? Are the colors classic combinations or beachy brights? You want your home to stand out but it still needs to fit into the area where you live.
   
• Question 3: How should the home respond to its surroundings and environment? Do you want it to blend in or contrast?
   
• Question 4: What is the style of your home? How have colors traditionally been used on this type of home? For example, is it more common to see light siding with dark trim or vice versa? 
   
• Question 5: Are there any restrictions to the colors you can use? Does a Homeowners' Association or Historic District limit your choices?

In the image above you can see how, by listening to the answers their home gave them, these homeowners found colors that complimented their home. By listening to the answers from your own home you will be headed in the right direction for your perfect color scheme. Now all you have to do is find your exact colors and decide on the placement.

Still not sure you'll be able to hear what your home is telling you? Not to worry. I have written a guide to help you, and it is yours for the asking in the DaVinci Roofscapes Color Studio. Just click here to grab a guide for translating the language of your home into plain English.

Coastal living is something many people dream about.... except when there is a threat of a hurricanes.

For those who live in a coastal region, you already know hurricanes can bring heavy and destructive winds, leaving behind unwanted damage and debris that has to be cleaned up. And roof damage is often one of the most worrisome and costly results of a hurricane.  

If you live in a hurricane zone, we recommend that you have your roof professionally inspected by a roofer at least once a year. At the very minimum, you want to look for shingles that have curled, shifted, cracked, split, etc.

If you have been through a rough storm and know that you will need to have your roof replaced in the near future, you might be searching for a luxury roof that can withstand hurricane force winds.

Whatever your situation, if you are looking for a roof that can stand up to mother nature's wrath, then you might be interested in our lightweight roofing materials that are backed by a limited 50-year warranty and have achieved Class 4 ratings for impact resistance. Our plastic roofing materials have also achieved the Miami Dade County (High Velocity Hurricane Winds) and TDI (Texas Department of Insurance) acceptance.

Want more information about our polymer roofing products? Please contact us via email or give us a call at 1-800-328-4624.

In 2012 extreme hail damage made it essential to replace the roof on the Union Printers Home, a State of Colorado Historical Site. Built in 1892, the "Castle on the Hill" provides nursing care, hospice, rehabilitation and nursing care services for Colorado Springs residents.

The team at Interstate Roofing was called on to remove 50+ year old asbestos tiles on the roof and make a recommendation for a new roofing product that would complement the existing architectural style.

“Valoré Slate polymer roofing tiles in the Villa color blend was the ideal solution for this project,” says Scott Riopelle, owner of Interstate Roofing in Colorado Springs, Colo. “Considering the age, condition and historical value of the structure, we needed a roofing product that could ‘work with’ the building while also ensuring longevity to the structure.

While Riopelle was confident in the selection of the DaVinci roofing product, there were many challenges for this project. The first one his company’s 50-man crew encountered was the safe removal of the existing asbestos-laden tiles.

"We had to erect scaffolding five stories high to access the roof,” says Riopelle. “Due to the 12/12 roof pitch and the multiple turrets on the structure, building containment areas and debris removal was extremely dangerous. During the entire process we performed continuous air quality testing to ensure the safety of the home’s residents, staff and our crew.

“That was only the start of our challenges. We made the decision to work through the winter months, so we experienced continuous rain, wind and snow. This means we had abatement processes, plywood redecking, dry-in and loading crews, heavy equipment contractors, installers and supply companies all working in extreme weather conditions. For this project, logistics and coordination went minute-to-minute.”

Re-roofing the turrets on the project became an easy-to-handle challenge thanks to the Turret Package from DaVinci Roofscapes. The team at Interstate Roofing provided DaVinci with four dimensions (the distance from the peak to the turret to the edge of the drip cap, the turret pitch, the turret cap length and the coursing exposure). From that information Turret Packages were created including the starter tiles, numbered field bundles custom-engineered for each course and a turret map diagram to guide the team through installation.

The three-month project had a gratifying outcome for Riopelle and his team. “This was a once-in-a-lifetime project,” says Riopelle. “Although we’ve completed projects much larger and more complex, this one was special because of the history associated with the Printers Union Home and the importance of the facility to the community.

For more turret information, visit Gotta a Turret? Use Our Turret Package!

Designers love to throw me 'curve balls', so to speak. One of the questions I get most often is, "will your imitation slate and shake tiles work on this type of roof?" Then they send me a detail and there is usually some sort of curve to the roof. What is my answer? While our product isn't a rubber slate roof tile, the material is flexible enough to be compatible with almost any design. There are always exceptions so I recommend forwarding me your details so that I can double check with our technical gurus - mstone@davinciroofscapes.com.

Happy Friday, Architects!

If you know anything about DaVinci Lightweight Roofing Materials, then you know we like to talk about color.

We love color and we understand how important it is aesthetically for your home - not only for today, but also for the day you sell it.

We are excited to share the second color eBook that you can download - FRESH Color Schemes for Your Home Exterior.

Often times, homeowners and business owners struggle to figure out which colors would look best with their style of home. Or which roof color would be best for the brick or stone work that is on their home. In this book our color expert, Kate Smith of Sensational Color, gives advice on how to approach these difficult decisions, so that you are pleased with the end result.

In an effort to stay on the cutting edge of color in the roofing industry, we have some great tools that you can utilize. Just visit the DaVinci Color Studio and you'll see:

• Custom Blend Color Tool
• ebook: FRESH Color Schemes for Your Home Exterior
• ebook: FRESH Home Exterior Colors
• Kate's blog: Selecting Color from the Top Down
• Have a question about color?  Just ask.

Interested in learning more about color with DaVinci Roofscapes lightweight roofing tiles? Here are a few more resources:

• Who Says Slate Shingles only come in Boring Colors?
• 5 Reasons To Pick DaVinci Slate Over Other Synthetic Slates
• Helping You Choose the Right Color for Your Roof

Has our color expert, Kate, helped you with the color of your roof? How so? Please tell us about it in the comment section.

When it comes to cedar shake roofing, you can get rustic hand split shakes or you can get the clean look of machine sawn shakes.

In an effort to offer a true cedar shake alternative, we offer both the hand split shakes and the machine sawn shakes to meet our customer's needs.

We offer 3 profiles that mimic the rustic look of hand-split shakes:

• Multi-Width DaVinci Shake: Features both wavy and straight grains throughout, 5/8" profile, multiple tile widths.
• Valoré Shake:  Features a consistent 9" single width and 5/8" profile  for a clean look.
• Bellaforté Shake: 12-inch tiles feature multiple profiles that create a staggered appearance and the 1" profile resemble jumbo shakes.

These profiles have more of a natural shake appearance as represented in the right. This is our Multi-Width Shake profile in Autumn Blend. These shakes feature a deep-grained texture and a variety of widths.

We also offer machine sawn shakes with our Fancy Shake product. These tiles look more like the shingles you would see on the side of a home, for example. And you can tell that they don't have nearly the depth of texture that the hand split look ones have.

Certain architectural styles call for certain shake profiles, so we offer both to fit your roof's needs. For example, we have found that our hand split shakes are more popular in mountain areas, whereas the machine sawn ones are more commonly used on the East coast.

Do you have a DaVinci Shake roof?  Which profile of our shakes do you have? 

Researching roof products? You might be at a point where you need a new roof and knowing your roofing terminology is an important step in the process. As with any large construction project, you want to have general knowledge of terms so you have a clear understanding when the roofing contractor is discussing options with you.

Probably the easiest way to understand roofing language is to see it in a diagram:

When it comes to DaVinci products - your contractor will order starter tiles, hip and ridge pieces and field tiles (not identified in the diagram above, but these are the tiles that are on the main surface area of a roof).

When you get a roofing estimate, there are usually three parts:

• material costs
• labor costs
• disposal costs

Material costs should include the cost of our lightweight roofing materials, any necessary underlayments (this will vary on where you live in the country, the pitch of your roof and more), and metal flashings. Again, it's important to know that material costs will vary based on the shape, size, pitch of your roof and more. That's why we recommend securing three estimates when roofing.

Be sure to double check to make sure labor costs and disposal costs are included in your estimate. These should be separate line items or the estimate should clearly state that those costs are included in your total estimate. You don't want to have any surprise costs sneak up on you at the last minute.

You can learn more about roofing terms and roofing estimates by reading any of the following posts on our blog:

• Roofing Terminology 101 by DaVinci Roofscapes
• Roofing Material Terminology Part One
• Four Things to Consider When Getting a Roofing Estimate

What questions can we answer for you? Email us or give us a call at 1-800-328-4624.