At DaVinci, we have a complete range of synthetic slate materials that look natural, are easy to install, and last for a lifetime. Our synthetic slate roof tiles offer a slate look that enhances the beauty of your house while protecting it from external conditions. Our tiles are made from engineered polymer and are available in several unique colors and blends.

Our imitation slate shingles come in three main profiles, which are listed below.

Single-Width Valoré: These synthetic slate roof tiles are available in a full spectrum of genuine slate colors. They are made using our VariBlend technology that can create thousands of color shades.

Multi-Width DaVinci: These tiles offer a wide range of blends that can complement any house. There are 5 different widths and several different tones for each blend, giving a natural and beautiful look.

Bellaforté: Our Bellaforté slate polymer tiles inter-lock to one another, offering higher maintainability and durability.

Have a specific color in mind? If you are unable to find a blend that matches your needs, we offer an almost unlimited selection of colors in our color palette. You can use the palette to create the right color for your roof. Our project specialists can talk to you and help you figure out which slate profile and color might be right for you.

As a company, we understand the importance of being environmentally friendly - especially when we are making a product that covers a lot of surface area on a roof.

We also know that many home and building owners are looking for solutions that will lessen their carbon footprint. As a result, we developed and now offer our EcoBlend tiles - which are our Cool Roof colors that have been designed to help keep the building underneath the roof cool. In fact, these colors are rated by the Cool Roof Rating Council and are ENERGY STAR® qualified.

Our DaVinci EcoBlend tiles not only reflect sunlight but also reflect heat away from your home. The higher emissivity and reflectivity rates of these tiles lead to greater reductions in the cooling load, and therefore we hope help reduce your energy usage. We are always looking for ways to "go green" and this is one of the ways we believe we accomplish this goal.

Our EcoBlend® colors include:

• EcoBlend Weathered Gray (in Medium, Medium Light, Medium Dark, Light and Dark)
• EcoBlend Gray (in Dark, Light and Medium)

Have you used DaVinci EcoBlend tiles?

With just a few days to go before his nighttime ride around the world, Santa's sleigh is packed and he's reviewing his route on Mapquest.

"Weather conditions look snowy in many areas so I'm charting my course first for those homes with dependable roofs where the reindeer can safely land," says Santa Claus. "When I stop on roofs with a full load, that's 7,000 pounds of weight including the sleigh, nine reindeer and all those toys. I'm looking for a roof that can handle that weight, so I always schedule stops first at homes with the DaVinci roofing products."

Made of durable polymer, the DaVinci slate and shake roofing tiles are on homes nationwide and have been tested to handle Santa-like weight conditions.

The earth-bound elves at DaVinci Roofscapes are proud to handle Santa’s request. “Our polymer slate and shake roofing tiles have been tested to handle high impact and heavy weights, so we’re confident that Santa is in for a smooth arrival when landing on homes with DaVinci roofs,” says Ray Rosewall, president and CEO of DaVinci Roofscapes in Kansas City, KS.

Of special concern for Santa this year are the weight of his reindeer, who appear to have indulged in extra treats during the past year at the North Pole.

“Rudolph and Cupid have especially been eating well this year, so when they touch down on a roof I want to make sure they can land safely,” says St. Nick. “Every year I see the DaVinci roofs from the sky during my deliveries. It's a relief to know that those roofs are available to handle the weight of my team. And, since the roofing tiles are impact-resistant, we don’t have to worry about the reindeer gouging them with their hoofs or damaging them.”

The polymer roofing tiles manufactured by DaVinci are Class 4 impact rated, making it possible for them to handle severe weather conditions and unscheduled sleigh landings. The roofing tiles have passed the highest rating wind tests, so even if weather conditions are blustery on December 24th, Santa will have no difficulties landing on the secure DaVinci roofs.

"No doubt about it ... when I'm making my list, and checking it twice, DaVinci roofs definitely qualify as nice!" says Santa.    

When you select DaVinci synthetic slate roof tiles or synthetic shake shingles for your roof, you are selecting a roof that is going to be virtually maintenance free.

Our 50-year roof tiles are a man made product - man made to eliminate a lot of the woes that come with a natural roofing products, like:

• Freeze/thaw issues
• Pests and insects issues
• Hail issues
• Wind issues

In some parts of the country there are big swings in temperature from morning to night. This swing in temperature, especially if moisture is added to the mix, can be very troublesome for a roof. If a roof covering absorbs moisture and goes through these freeze thaw cycles, there can be damage that results in crazing, cracking, splitting, etc. Because DaVinci is made from a polymer, our roof tiles are impervious to freeze/thaw cycles.

DaVinci shingle systems have attained a Class 4 impact rating - the best that a  roofing product can have. As a result, if you live in an area that is prone to hail - then you can rest assured that you are not going to have the issues with impact that you would with a natural material.

Our products have superior wind performance that will help protect your roof during high winds and nasty storms (wind speeds and issues can vary depending on where you live). 

Did you go with DaVinci? How do you like your roof? What roofing material did you have before you put on DaVinci? What are some of the improvements you have seen with our polymer roofing systems?  Please share your roof story with us.

Your home is a reflection of your personality, and it speaks through the colors and accessories you choose. From the color of your front door to the style of house, a home exterior reveals quite a bit about the people living inside.

What does your home say about you?

The overall appearance of a home's exterior, also know as curb appeal, is something homeowners spend a lot of time perfecting. To get a good sense of your home's "curb appeal", stand across the street and look at your home from a new perspective. Be sure you make notes of little things that you might see from this view:

• Are there are areas that require painting and/or repairs?


• Are your trees and bushes well manicured or do they need a trim?


• How does the yard look? Does it need a little sprucing up?

To get more great tips on creating great curb appeal, color expert Kate Smith shares some great ideas in her blog How To Give Your Home Personality.

Another factor that impacts the overall appearance of your home is your front door. What does the color say to the visitors?

• White door your visitors that you are neat and organized.


• Black says "I'm timeless" and indicates that reserved, consistent, and conservative people live in this home.


• Red is a bold color and says "Look at Me", reflecting an outgoing personality.


• Green: says "I'm traditional" and you want to be an important member of the community.

What about blue, orange, yellow or purple? To learn more about door colors, read What The Color Of Your Front Door Says About You.

The structure and architecture of your home are another giveaway of your tastes and style. Here are some home styles that tell more about you.

• Contemporary says you enjoy contact with nature, right down to the materials you choose for your home. - from your counter tops to your eco-friendly roof.  


• Colonial says you have a large circle of friends and family, and they often visit. This reflects your desire of being seen as a successful part of the community.


• Cape Cod says you're warm and nurturing and your home is a cozy nest to relax, just like the seaside where style home was born.

Read more about home styles: What Does Your Home Says About Your Personality?

There are many other things your house says about you. To learn more, read more on our blog.

Do you have a DaVinci roof? Did you find our color tools and information helpful in your search? Please share your experience with us!
 

If you flip through the pictures on our website you will see many examples of DaVinci Shake, Valoré Shake, and Bellaforté Shake used as roofing, but the fact is these products can be used as siding as well. This week I spoke with a designer in the Midwest who has a client interested in using our product to replace the natural cedar siding that is on her home. Much of the house has problems with algae growth as a result of the current siding. One of the benefits of polymer tiles is they are resistant to algae growth. Also a plus, the current siding is multi-width and he believed DaVinci Shake (which comes in sizes of 9", 8", 7", 6" and 4" widths) would best match what they had before. 

Pictured is DaVinci Shake in the Mountain Blend on a home in Minnesota. Click here to see more projects featured using shake as siding.

Happy Friday, Architects!

DaVinci manufactures premium roofing shingles that offer the look of cedar shakes and the strength of manmade engineered polymer. Our roofing shingles do not decay or rot like wood, and offer superior fire and wind resistance. They normally weigh less than natural wood shakes, yet DaVinci roofing shingles imitate the texture, shade, and rustic designs of natural wooden roof shakes.

Let’s talk about the various DaVinci profiles:

Single-Width Valoré  – These shakes bear resemblance to hand-split shake tiles and are maintenance free. We use pure virgin resins to craft these artistic tiles.

Multi-Width DaVinci – This cedar shake alternative is available in several of genuine cedar colors. Crafted using pure virgin resins, these shakes are easy to install and are available in a variety of blends. Multiple widths of DaVinci shakes help in creating a natural look that can be applied in a staggered or straight pattern.

Fancy Shake– These polymer cedar tiles are available in varied wood tones and widths of 5”, 7”, and 12”. These 100% recyclable tiles offer the appearance of machine sawn shake.

Bellaforté Shake– Natural looking Bellaforté shake shingles use proven polymer technology, are highly durable, and interlock to the next to provide superior wind resistance. These easy-to-install tiles come with a 50-year roof warranty.

To learn more about these shakes or get additional information on our products, email us or contact us at 855-299-5301.
 

While polymer roofing products have been around for a few decades, many homeowners and business owners might not be fully versed on the product. 

DaVinci Roofscapes produces composite slate shingles that are carefully engineered to provide the authentic look and durability of natural slate roofs. For those who desire the natural appearance of hand-split shake shingles or machine-sawn shake, our composite shake shingles are reminiscent of the texture of natural cedar, but with unsurpassed durability and a life cycle savings of up to 50% compared to natural shake roofing. DaVinci utilizes a proprietary state-of-the-art engineered polymer to deliver durability and beauty for years to come.

What questions do you have about polymer roof tiles?

Did you know we have a frequently asked questions section on our website too?  You might browse through our FAQs and then see if you have additional questions - or,  you are welcome, of course, to ask your question in the comment section below.

Do you have question about color?  You might be interested in submitting a photo of your home or building to our color designer Kate to get expert advice on the right color and DaVinci profile that will look best on your roof.

Do you have an installation question?  Ask our tech expert, Tim Gentry. Also, be sure to check out his blog - Up on the Roof.

We love to answer questions about our products! They are revolutionary in the roofing industry (so they are fun to talk about) and we love to share our knowledge.

Do you have a question about our products? Feel free to ask us - we're here to help.

If you are looking into roofing materials, then you have probably discovered that there are quite a few out there. You might be interested in a natural slate roof or a natural shake roof - just something other than asphalt. However, you might also be aware of the maintenance and overall issues with some of the natural products. So perhaps you're on a hunt for an alternative natural roofing product.

You've come to the right place!

At DaVinci Roofscapes, we make fake slate and fake cedar shake roofing products that replicate the appearance of their natural counterparts but with a durability with which their natural counterparts cannot compete.

Our tiles have superior wind ratings, impact ratings and fire resistance ratings. And, an added bonus, many insurance companies offer discounts on your premium if you have a Class A fire rated roof or a Class 4 impact resistance roof. Sound good? Read more about our products and their ratings on our website.

If you would like to read other blog posts about this topic, here are some that you might enjoy:

• Polymer Shake - All the Beauty Without the Hassles!
• Get Weather Resistant Roofs with DaVinci Roofscapes
• FIRE! Need a Cedar Shake Alternative?

Is one of your 2014 resolutions to be more colorful? If so, DaVinci Roofscapes can help!

You can confidently add color to your home's exterior when using the easy-to-follow steps in our FRESH Home Exteriors Guide. Available free online on the DaVinci website, this downloadable guide was created by color expert Kate Smith of Sensational Color to give you step-by-step tips on adding color to your home exterior.

“Many homeowners are afraid to add color to their home exteriors because they don’t want to make a mistake,” says Smith, CMG, CfYH and a career color trend forecaster. “Especially when people look at the style of their homes, they can become confused by what colors will enhance their exteriors. This guide takes away those fears and puts the power of color in the hands of the homeowner!”

Here's a big tip: Start at the top of your home and work your way down with color. And at DaVinci, we're here to help --- with 49 standard colors from black to green to brown to gray. Can't decide on just one color? Then consider a color blend of autumn tones, mountain browns or grays.

If you're still "stuck on color" but can't find the exact right one for you, call the experts at DaVinci. We can custom create any color imaginable. Just bring us your favorite gray tie, butterscotch-colored scarf or even a creamy caramel candy and we can turn that color into the roof of your dreams!

 Try "Top Down" Approach to Unify a Home's Exteriorstory is available to give you more tips on color!

Don't get caught up in a post-holidays let-down. There's plenty of reasons to celebrate the first month of 2014.

Did you know that national food celebrations throughout the month of January are focused on candy, oatmeal, soup, apples, apricots, hot tea and prunes? January is also Skating Month and National "Get Organized" Month. And, here's a piece of trivia ... January 4th is National Trivia Day!

On January 3rd you can celebrate "Fruitcake Toss" Day or wait until January 21st for "National Squirrel Appreciation Day" to share your leftover fruitcake with the furry critters. And, while January 26th is dedicated to "Peanut Brittle Appreciation Day," we at DaVinci Roofscapes can't wait for the popping fun of January 27th --- "Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day!"

But perhaps our favorite day of the month is "Make Your Dreams Come True Day" on January 13th. That's because we really celebrate that day throughout the entire year when we manufacture our award-winning polymer roof tiles for residential and commercial projects across the country. We don't need a specially-dedicated day to help homeowners create their own designer roofs complete with a limitless selection of color options. At DaVinci, we proudly make roofing dreams come true every day of the year!

Welcome to 2014! As we all get back into the swing of things here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. It is time to schedule your local DaVinci Slate and Shake specialist in for an update meeting! Though no new products have been added this year, a refresher is always good. 

2. We now offer two continuing education courses for your learning needs. Both courses can be found on AEC Daily's Website, are free and are available 24/7. Something new is that you can now also take our technical course, The Design Advantages of Engineered Polymer Roofing, on Hanley Wood University. Look for the article featuring the course in the November/December issue of Residential Architect. 

3. Everything we offer to architects can be found online in online in our Digital Architect Binder. Do you need something you can't find? Let me know! The needs of the architectural community are always evolving and it is from your input and requests that DaVinci Roofscapes can evolve with you.

Click here to contact me via email or phone.

Happy New Year (and Happy Friday), Architects! 

Severe weather is always a concern for homeowners. Especially weather that brings with it hail and strong winds. No one wants to think about the damage that might be done to a roof during a storm, not to mention the costs of repairing that damage and the insurance nightmares that may follow.

As a homeowner, there are a few things you can do to bring down the cost of insuring your home. If you find a roofing product that has a Class 4 Impact rating, your roof may qualify for discounts on your homeowner's insurance premiums. Why? Because the insurance companies know that the product has been tested and therefore is less likely to need replaced. The amount of this discount will vary, and it may be a sufficient enough discount to rationalize the higher cost of using Class 4 materials, like fake slate and cedar shake alternative tiles from DaVinci.

Whether you're looking to get a new roof or you need to replace a hail damaged roof, you might be interested in checking out our lightweight tiles.

Wondering how the Class 4 impact test is executed? Check out this video below to see a simulated version of the test:

Having trouble viewing this video? Click here to view now.

Do you live in a hail prone area? Do you have a DaVinci roof? How has your DaVinci roof helped with the impact of hail?  Please tell us about your experience in the comments below.

Many people think that synthetic slate and shake roofing materials are a new idea. That couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact synthetic slate tiles were manufactured in Europe in the mid-1800s and manufactured in the US at the beginning of the twentieth century. The tiles were very long- lasting, weren’t affected by heat or moisture, and were fire-proof. These tiles were installed on roofs throughout the US and performed well for many years. There was one problem though; the tiles were about 75% Portland cement and 25% asbestos. And as we all know we started figuring out in the 1970s and early 1980s that asbestos was not the best thing for our lungs.

Once the manufacturers of synthetic slate and shake found they could no longer use asbestos they had to make a quick change to a different kind of filler. Most companies chose an organic (cellulose) fiber. This new formulation for tiles that used cellulose instead of asbestos generally didn’t work very well. There were many issues including, crazing, cracking, delamination, and deterioration.There are some parts of the country where these problems gave synthetic slate and shake a very bad name.

When we started work developing the formula and process for DaVinci tiles in the mid 1990s we had the advantage of being able to reference the success and failures of past roofing products. That knowledge along with new technologies allowed us to create the highly engineered polymer system and the unique injection molding color system we use today. This engineered polymer system is an ideal material for a roof covering and allows DaVinci to be installed in all geographic areas and climates. There are DaVinci roofs in all 50 US States and internationally from the cold climates of Canada to the warmth of Bali, Indonesia.  

For more information about DaVinci Roofscapes products, please contact us at 1-800-328-4624 or drop us an email. We would love to hear from you!

Are your bags packed for the 2014 NAHB International Builders' Show? If you're heading to Las Vegas from February 4-6 for this massive industry trade show, make sure to stop by and visit us in booth C2136!

The entire DaVinci Roofscapes team will be on hand to showcase our polymer roofing products to builders, remodelers, contractors and roofers from around the world. Our synthetic shake and slate exhibit includes Bellaforté Shake and Slate composite roofing products, along with DaVinci Multi-Width Slate and Shake roofing tiles, plus samples from our Valoré Slate and Shake, and Fancy Shake lightweight roofing systems.

What will you see at the DaVinci booth? Displays of different environmentally friendly roof applications, an assortment of color samples for simulated shake and slate roofing materials and updated product exhibits. We'll also have national color expert Kate Smith, president of Sensational Color, on hand to talk to you about how to best select roofing colors for your upcoming residential and commercial projects.           

DaVinci will provide a very colorful booth experience for show attendees. Remember that we offer the widest selection of polymer roofing colors in the industry, so it's likely you'll see colors in the booth including Dark Violet, Light Clay, Medium Terracotta, Light New Cedar and even Medium Green.

Mark your calendars for Las Vegas and booth C2136 ... and remember that what happens in Vegas doesn't have to stay in Vegas. You can bring home new product and project ideas to help make 2014 extremely successful for your business!

The transformation of a 1932 beach home in South Salem, N.Y. has neighbors green with envy. That’s because the renovation project has resulted in a home that has earned three key “green” designations: ENERGY STAR® Certified Home, LEED Platinum Certified Home and Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Certified Home.

The Beach House is only the second platinum level LEED Certified Home full-scale renovation in Westchester County, New York and has received a HERS score of 30.

Starting from the top down, a polymer DaVinci Roofscapes Bellaforté Slate Black roof was added to the Bungalow-style home. Specified by Absolute Green Homes, the impact- and fire-resistant roofing product was selected for its durability, aesthetic appeal and 50-year limited warranty.

Bellaforté Slate 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.

“I used DaVinci roofing products on my own home and knew they’d be a perfect match for this retrofit project since they’re a very realistic-looking material and have a solid thickness to each tile,” says Sylvain Coté, project architect and coordinator with Absolute Green Homes, Inc. “Having this polymer roof makes it possible for the homeowner to collect rainwater runoff from the roof that drops down the gutters and chains into rain collection barrels. Since there are no asphalt particles or oil-based runoff from the tiles, the rainwater is the highest quality and better suited for landscaping applications.”

Focused on Green

The Beach House was restored and retrofitted for maximum comfort and a minimum carbon footprint impact. The home was not expanded in size during more than two years of extensive renovations and was designed to produce as much energy as it consumes.

“This retrofitted 1,810-square foot home is a working model of the ultimate green retrofit home,” says Coté. “The design, techniques, materials, products and approach used in the project can be applied to other homes to achieve the same environmentally sound living space. We certainly hope that this home --- and the products we’ve included in it --- serve as an inspiration to neighbors to create environmentally-sensible housing.”

Absolute Green Homes, Inc. is an award-winning construction firm with more than 20 years of experience. For more information on the company and this project, visit www.absolutegreenhomes.com/TheBeachHouseRetrofitProject.html.

Predicting the hot interior and exteriors colors for 2014 begins with looking at the uber trends worldwide. These are the trends that impact what is going to be going on in housing market overall not just in color. What that means is that before I can focus on colors I need to research what else is going on in the US housing market.

To do this research I met with other experts in the industry at the CMG International Summit to discuss what we were seeing in store for home building and remodeling in 2014. Here is a summary of the top 10 trends we discussed along with links to more information from other authorities about each of these trends.

1. Open and Accessible
Ageless and open describe the floor plans most desired by the baby boom generation. Open single level, livable designs with lots of windows, hardwood floors, and beautiful materials. Naturally accessible house plans that don't say "elderly" or "handicapped" as they often have in the past. The best interpretations of this trend will result in universal designs for people of all ages and abilities. Better Homes and Gardens sees single-family homes as getting smaller, with fewer formal rooms and more casual living spaces for the whole family to enjoy. Business Week says builders say today’s draws are open floor plans and lots of storage.

2. Mid-Mod and Modest
The growing popularity of smaller homes with a mid-century aesthetic is influencing home design. According to realtor.com“midcentury modern design is thriving” and will continue to do so in 2014. Rather than direct translations of the original look what is being seen is a more casual and relaxed style. Natural materials--wood, stone, and metal--will still be part of the design but slightly rounded shapes will soften the hard geometrics seen in the original designs.

3. Earth-Friendly, Human Healthy
A continued sensitivity to the natural environment is influencing builders to incorporate sustainable, bio-degradable materials into green homes. More homes will be allergy-free or asthma-friendly. The importance of sustainability can be seen in how Element Building Co. is constructing  The 2014 New American Home to the highest level of the National Green Building Standard.

4. Storm-proof
In response to the many communities that have been ravaged by tornados, hurricanes and earthquakes, homes are being designed to stand up to the elements. The Plan Collection agrees that storm-proof architecture is growing these days and Better Homes and Gardens also mentions storm resistant and energy efficient products as priorities.

5. Prefabulous!
Factory-made homes have desirable design elements inside and out. The ability to customize a home without the high costs make these homes an attractive option for many. Greener, Faster. Smarter. That is the tagline of the Modular Building Institute and describes what is found in today's modular homes.

6. Outdoor Rooms Are Heating Up
Outdoor spaces have become an extension of the home. Now to extend the time these spaces can be comfortably used, many homeowners and builders are adding fire pits, fireplaces and radiant heating under the concrete. Taking the chill off on a cool spring or fall day is all that is needed to enjoy the outdoors 3-4 seasons. The 2014 New American Home, now under construction for the International Builders' Show has an open layout that fuses the indoors with the outdoors and provides residents with many spaces to live and work outdoors. 

7. More Connected
Smart technology is becoming mainstream. Options currently are focused on convenience with appliances, lights and alarms being controlled via smart phone. Little extras like outlets with USB chargers built in or digital command centers are becoming more commonplace. Going forward appliances and systems will communicate with one another as well as directly with the utility companies to balance community demand and offer homeowners money savings options. A home that is easy to retrofit for technology is a priority among consumers, and especially millennials, according to Better Homes and Gardens.

8. Made in the USA
Consumers are placing more value American made products. Smart businesses will be touting their red, white, and blue roots hoping to connect with homeowners who prefer to buy made in the good ole USA, rather than from an overseas competitor. Consumer Reports is seeing "Made in the USA" as an important trend for 2014.

9. East Meets West
Eastern philosophies and zen lifestyles are finding their way into western homes according to Trendhunter. The health and prosperity principals of Feng Shui and Vástu Shástra are being incorporated more and more into home designs.

10. Self-Expression
You've heard me talking about this one quite a bit in the past few years as homeowners have become more confident in expressing their style and personality in the choice they make for their home. Whether with bold colors or upgraded exterior products homes are getting beautifully personal. Residential Building Magazine reports that trends, such as self-expression and the bold use of color suggest that homeowners and buyers are looking to personalize spaces. 

Now that you have an idea of what is hot in the home, stay tuned as over the next few weeks I share what colors are going to be most desired in 2014 and beyond.

Lois Phelps and Martha Zechman! These two lucky homeowners were selected at random to win new DaVinci Roofscapes polymer roofing systems in the 2013 This Old House Great TOH Giveaway Sweepstakes.

More than 72,000 entries were received during the worldwide sweepstakes for the DaVinci prizes of two Bellaforté synthetic roofing systems --- each prize with a retail value of $25,000!

For Lois Phelps, the new Bellaforté Shake roof she's receiving will go on top of her 48-year-old ranch-style home in Illinois. "We're going to replace old, brown asphalt shingles that were installed in 1998," says Phelps. "This new roof will help update our home's exterior and add more style!"

In New Jersey, Martha Zechman is looking forward to enhancing her English Tudor style home with her new Bellaforté Slate roofing tiles during the Spring of 2014. "Right now we're locked in with dark gray asphalt shingles on our home," says Zechman. "My dream for the new roof is to brighten it up a bit by using a blend of lighter gray colors on our two-story home."

While Lois and Martha make their final decisions on color selections, national color expert Kate Smith is ready to help with color recommendations. "I always recommend picking out roof colors that go with the home's design and overall look," says Smith, president of Sensational Color. "There are fixed features, regional color, environment, style and historic aspects that should be considered before a roof color is finalized.

"Ranch-style homes are generally 'long and low' with lots of roof showing, and Lois's home is no exception. Her home is a light brown-color with pops of red for the shutters and door. I can easily see a Weathered Gray blend of five different shades of gray tones on her roof."

To complement the English Tudor style of Martha's brown and beige home, Smith is hoping the homeowner will consider a brown blend of roofing, such as the Sabino blend of Dark Mountain and Medium Autumn roofing colors.

"I'd like to suggest that the 'top down' color for this home should have a brown, not a gray focus," says Smith. "In looking at the home I think a blend of browns --- maybe even the Cambridge blend of Light Brown, Medium Brown, Dark Stone and Dark Tan, would be very attractive for this home's style."

Stay tuned to find out how the transformation roofing projects progress. And, visit the DaVinci Roofscapes website to download your free copy of FRESH Color Schemes For Your Home Exterior e-book created by Smith to find the ideal colors for your home's style!

See Updating My Tudor Home Exterior - What Color Slate?and DaVinci Roofscapes Launches Color Design Program - Acclaimed Color Expert to Lead Effort  for more ideas and inspiration for roofs!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

If the weather has turned nasty in your area and snow is mounting up on the top of your house, then it's time to consider retrofitting snowguards on your roof. Snowguards are the nifty invention that helps hold snow on your roof while allowing it to melt at a more even rate so that you don't get an avalanche of snow coming down all at one time.

Of course, the best idea is to have snowguards installed when your DaVinci luxury roof is being put in place, but if that didn't happen on your home, there's a "fix" for the problem. When adding snowguards in for a retrofit application on DaVinci polymer roof tiles, follow these tips:

1. Apply sealant to the top of the DaVinci composite shingle where the snowguard will be placed.


2. Place the snow guard in a pattern so that a minimum of two inches of strap is showing between the face of the snow guard and the butt end of the shingle above. The amount of strap showing should be longer for thicker profiles like Bellaforte’ Shake and roof pitches greater than 6/12. Individual snow guard manufacturers will offer more guidance on placement of snow guards and the appropriate snow guard layout for your particular situation.


3. Next, drive two 2.5-inch self tapping fasteners with gaskets through the snowguard strap approximately a half-inch below the butt end of the shingle above, through the shingle and substrate until tight.

Still not sure? Check out this video of the damage snow avalanching off of a roof can cause and see why we recommend using snowguards.

If you are having trouble viewing this video, click here

Need more tips and advice on snowguards? Then visit Don't Forget Snowguards!and Great Time to Install Snowguards!

The traditional look of dark slate rules the Northeast, and DaVinci Masterpiece Contractor Program Member Majestic Exteriors recently installed a Valoré Slate tile roof in Slate Black on a temple in Weehawken, New Jersey. Valoré Slate is 12" wide by 18" long and is installed between a 7.5" and a 6" exposure. The product in Slate Black gave this building the look of the thick, natural slate that you see in the area, but is lower maintenance and is a fraction of the weight, saving the owners of this building time and money.