The beauty of this 110 year old, half-timbered Queen Anne had been whited out. Luckily Justin and Rachel could see beneath the white and imagine what this home could look like with in full color!

These smart homeowners have already replace the original damaged slate roof (which had been overlaid with asphalt shingles) with DaVinci Roofscapes Valoré in the color blend Villa, which is a perfect choice. 

Working down from there, I replaced the brackets along the roof and the crossheads above the windows with similar styles from Fypon. The dentil molding under the porch eaves was also replaced with a Fypon product. All of these products are long-life, low-maintenance products that will remain looking new for the life of the home.

While I would have liked to replace the porch columns with a product with more longevity, I didn't want to give up the unique look of the original so repairs and a fresh coat of paint was the answer. I did however replace the spindles and rails with a Fypon balustrade system. All of the trim was painted Medici Ivory.

For the main color I selected a warm neutral, Oyster Bar. To accentuate the half timbers painted them with Unusual Gray, a color that brought a gray tone from the roof down onto the front of the home to create a cohesive look.

Since the home already has a wide front opening I replaced the existing door with a Therma-Tru Canvas Craft front door centered between two sidelights. Both the door and sidelights have Ashurst glass inserts with leading that has lines similar to the half-timber pattern. I painted the door and sidelights with Gallery Green. This is a green that is toned down but has enough color to standout in the shaded area of the porch.

This home needs landscaping but since the homeowners are newlyweds I kept it simple and inexpensive by starting with just two shrubs and filling in the rest with a single type of easy-to-grow flowering plants.

This home has great bones, is in a great area and once renovated I have no doubt will be colorful asset to the neighborhood! 

Don't miss out on the opportunity to vote for your favorite to win!

The dog days of summer are here ... but in Lancaster, Pennsylvania the resident hounds don't seem to mind the heat. That's because they're enjoying summer fun in their new $500,000 Dream Dog Park made possible by Beneful® dog food.

After Angela Baumann submitted the winning entry in the 3rd Annual Beneful Dream Dog Park contest, contractor Jason Cameron with Desperate Landscapestelevision show on DIY Network came in to turn dreams into reality. One of Cameron's first calls was to DaVinci Roofscapes --- to request Bellaforté Shake roofing tiles in the Tuscano color blend for the new pavilion roof at the dog park.

The pavilion serves as an entryway to the public dog park that includes amusement park-themed elements such as a 40-foot-long roller coaster bridge and custom-designed splash pads for dogs with fun spray nozzles. There's also an expansive deck for relaxing, a tennis ball tree and dog-inspired tunnels.

Cameron requested the DaVinci composite shake roof because he wanted a worry-free synthetic cedar shake roof that would blend in with the natural park environment but wouldn't need much maintenance. After all, who wants to repair a roof when you could be having a howling good time with your four-legged best buddy?

What does a class A fire rating mean on a roofing product mean? It means that the roof covering has undergone extensive fire testing using the ASTM E 108 test standard at the Class A level. Class A is the best classification available.

For polymer roof coverings there are three tests.

1. Intermittent Flame - an assembly of tiles is subjected to an intense flame for two minutes then turned off for two minutes. This is cycled 15 times to see if there is failure in the roof deck.

2.  Spread of Flame -  flame and air current are applied for 10 consecutive minutes and then checked for failure. 

3. Burning Brand - This is my personal favorite...not that I liked starting fires as a child. In this test, a burning brand is placed on an assembly of roofing tiles with a high volume of wind behind it.The decking of the assembly is constantly monitored for 90 minutes to see if any fire burns through. If fire burns through the roof deck anytime during the 90 minute trial, the tiles fail. Below are pictures of DaVinci's Class A Fire rated slate and simulated shake roofing. DaVinci tiles PASS these tests with flying colors.

While many people think of June as the month of weddings and graduation, there's far more to celebrate in these 30 days.

Let's start with June being the national month of bathroom reading, accordion awareness and skyscrapers! The folks at DaVinci Roofscapes also want you to know it's Disaster Preparedness Month and National Recycling Month (more on these in another blog when we tell you how polymer roofing can help you and your family!) ... and, unbelievably, it's World Naked Bike Ride Month!

We hope you'll keep your clothes on for National Sun Safety Week in early June and Duct Tape Days on June 13-15. Any, you may definitely choose your own attire for the start of summer on June 21 and Father's Day on June 15. However, on June 20 foot attire is definitely designated because that's National Flip Flops Day!

Now, don't panic on June 18 even though it's International Panic Day, because that's also International Picnic Day and International Sushi Day. In case you don't have enough reason to celebrate in June, here are a few other unique events to mark:

• June 5 - National Moonshine Day
• June 6 - National Doughnut Day
• June 14 - World Juggling Day
• June 23 - Pink Flamingo Lawn Decorations Day
• June 30 - National Ice Cream Day

Headed out for a night on the town and undecided what to wear? Will it be the traditional "little black dress" or something with more pizzazz to celebrate a special occasion?

Just as you like to add color and sparkle to your wardrobe, your home's roof has the same option to break free of boring colors. If you're in the market for a new designer roof, reach into the DaVinci Color Studio closet for ideas on adding color to your home.

The free color guidance tools from DaVinci include everything from personalized advice from national color expert Kate Smith to an on-screen "mix and match" way to create your own personal blend of colors for your roof.

At the DaVinci Color Studio we encourage you to let your imagination soar. There are 49 standard colors available for you to "play with" to create your personalized polymer slate or composite shake luxury roof. We also offer "top down" color suggestions for your home exterior, free downloadable e-books and personal color assistance.

And, if you're looking for inspiration, check out our Masterpiece Gallery --- an image library of dozens of different home styles sporting eco friendly roof options from DaVinci in an array of colors. Don't worry about thinking outside the box either. Even if your dream roof is a "dreamsicle orange" color, we can easily create a custom color roof just for you!

Need more colorful insights? See Adding Color to the Exterior of the Homeand DaVinci Crayons for the Roof.

Most historic project makeovers you read about focus on structures that are hundreds of years old. But in Johnson City, New York, the Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church is just 37 years old, yet it promises to be written up in future history books.

That's because the traditional Ukrainian design of the church structure includes three massive domes. Each one is 80-feet tall --- and each one is covered in our single-width Valoré composite shake roofing material from DaVinci Roofscapes.

Church founders selected the Tuscano blend of light, medium light, medium and dark autumn colors to top their unique church structure. The shake alternative roofing product was selected after the original cedar shake roof deteriorated.

"We're both amazed and pleased that these man-made roofing tiles could have such a positive and beautiful impact on our facility," says Rev. Teodor B. Czabala, Jr. "The new polymer shakes look almost identical to the older wooden ones, but these will last so much longer."

Valoré synthetic shake roofing tiles embrace the art and science of roofing and offer exceptional aesthetics and performance without destroying a budget. The synthetic cedar shake tiles resemble the hand-split shake tiles found on upscale residences throughout the world, but require none of the maintenance.

Available in 9-inch tile widths with a deep 5/8" profile shadow line, Valoré lightweight roofing tiles are Class 4 impact-rated, rated Class A for fire resistance and won't support the growth of fungus or algae. This 50 year roof offers exceptional value for any residential or commercial project. And that's a lesson for the history books!

For information on synthetic roofing material used on other churches, visit Churches Thankful for Roofs Overhead.

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 details 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!

In our online continuing education course, The FRESH Approach to Choosing Exterior Color, we discuss how to choose a roofing product and color for a commercial or retail building. Blending in with the neighborhood is one of the main things to take into consideration, and for this retail building in the coastal town of Nags Head, NC the architect did just that by customizing a DaVinci Shake blend. Installed by Gallop Roofing out of Wanchese, NC, our multi-width shake alternative was customized using Slate Gray which is a color typically used in our slate line. Customizing a blend can be done when you choose any of our 49 standard colors and put together your own combination of colors (or in this case, single color) to create something we don't typically make. It can be done by requesting sample tiles or color chips, but many people choose to start with our color design tool.  We can plug most combinations of colors into any product mold, like in the case of this project. 

DaVinci Masterpiece Contractor Program Member
Gallop Roofing
Wanchese, NC
800-653-9306

We don't want to scare you ... but are you, your family and your home ready for any situation?

June is Disaster Preparedness Month. If you're in a geographic area that's prone to bad weather associated with tornadoes, wildfires, hurricanes or floods, you can benefit from the information and checklists found on the government's "Ready" site.

It's important to have a game plan in place to guarantee the safety of your family and valuable possessions --- including your home. If you live in a weather-sensitive area, make sure to evaluate the status of your roof each year and after major storms. Even if a roof "looks good" from the ground, worn out shingles can quickly give way to leaks. That's why it's important to have a professional roofer evaluate your roof on a regular basis.

If you find you're in the need of an impact-, fire- and weather-resistant 50 year roof, then it's time to learn more about composite roofing from DaVinci Roofscapes.

Our sustainable roofing products include synthetic shake shingles and composite slate tiles in a variety of colors and price points. Best of all, each tile can be considered "disaster resistant" because they are impervious to impact and fire. Whether you're getting hail the size of tennis balls or hurricane force winds, the designer roofs from DaVinci are unfazed and undamaged, helping to protect your home and loved ones.

To learn more and prepare your home to withstand Mother Nature's fury, seeCheck Your Roof Before 2014 Hurricane Season Startsand Weather Proof Roofing - That's DaVinci For You!

Does snow slide off of a DaVinci roof?
Snow tends to slide off all roofs, but is more likely to slide off metal, natural slate, glazed tile, and polymer tiles (like DaVinci roofs).  This is due to some of the same physical characteristics that help to make DaVinci such a long lasting beautiful roof.  DaVinci roofing products have smooth surfaces and don’t absorb water. This means that snow and ice have no place to “grip” as it might with some other roofing products. When snow begins to melt from a warm attic underneath, the snow blanket on top may slide off the roof all at once.

What is the solution?
Installing a pattern of snow guards or attaching snow fences near the eave can reduce or eliminate snow slides. Snow guards work by adding friction to the roof. Snow fences on the other hand, create  a barrier to prevent snow movement.  Snow guards are the preferred product for most areas while snow fences are used in very high snow areas like ski resorts.

Who should consider snow guards?
Snow guards should be considered in parts of the country where accumulating snowfalls occur. Many roofs or parts of roofs may not need any snow guards at all. In fact, some structures are designed so that snow will slide off of the roof, reducing the stress on the structure.  

Does my house need snow retention?  
It all depends on what the snow may fall on as it slides off of the roof. The installation of snow guards should be considered on roof areas where sliding snow might land on people or property. Decks, walkways and driveways are obvious examples of such areas.  
 
What snow guards should I use?
There are many different types of snow guards. Snow guards for use on DaVinci roofs must have an attachment strap and be manufactured of long lasting- non-corrosive metals. The best types to use with DaVinci products are manufactured of copper, stainless steel or coated aluminum. Plastic snow guards, typically used on metal roofs, are not recommended for DaVinci roofs.  
 
What if my roof is already installed without snow guards?
The best time to install snow guards is when your DaVinci roof is being installed. But if your DaVinci roof is already installed, don’t worry. There are snow guards available that are specifically designed to be installed after your roof is on.  These are known as retro-fit snow guards and this type of snow guard won’t compromise the integrity, warranty or longevity of your beautiful DaVinci roof.
 
Ask your contractor if you need snow guards.  The final decision on whether or not to install snow guards rests with you and your contractor.
 
For more information, a good resource for snow guards on DaVinci roofs is Rocky Mountain Snow Guards.  www.rockymountainsnowguards.com   

Envelope, please. Drum roll, please!

And, the winner is ... Brigitte and Mike Meehan of Elgin, Illinois!

The Meehans have won the online public voting and will receive the $5,000 cash grand prize in the DaVinci Roofscapes2014 “Shake it Up” Exterior Color Contest.

Almost 1,000 votes were cast in the contest, with Brigitte Meehan's "Trapped in Cookie Cutter Land!" entry generating the most votes of the five finalists. In her contest entry, Brigitte explained how she wants to shake up and break the mold of being the "same as everyone else" in her 1,000+ home neighborhood. She detailed her dream for the home that would include colorful new exterior products and landscaping. 

“The judges saw the potential for dramatic change using color on the Meehan home exterior to get them out of Cookie Cutter Land,” says Wendy Bruch, marketing manager at DaVinci Roofscapes. “As a finalist, this home was evaluated by national color expert Kate Smith, who worked to create an artist’s rendering of what the home would look like transformed with colorful new products.

"Kate specified a new Brownstone blend composite slate roof from DaVinci along with a Therma-Tru Classic-Craft® Canvas Collection® fiberglass door and sidelites painted Cochineal Red. As a final touch she recommended the addition of new low-maintenance porch columns and a balustrade system from Fypon.

"Obviously the voting public saw the potential in adding 'top down' color to the home that will increase the overall curb appeal of the house and make it a stand-out in its neighborhood. For our 2014 contest, the Meehan home rose above more than 125 entries to capture the grand prize."

When notified of her winning status, Brigitte was excited by the prize money that will allow her to add color and new products to the exterior of her home.

"We're surprised, happy and excited, all rolled into one," says Meehan. "We love the rendering that the artist created that adds color and unique products to our home and can't wait to get started with the transformation!"

See Inspiration from Colorful Contest Finalistsand Judge Kate Presiding for more details on the contest!  

While June is officially National Recycling Month, at DaVinci Roofscapes we focus on recycling every month of the year.

That's because we offer a unique program that encourages roofers and contractors to return our environmentally friendly roof scraps and cuttings from a project to our plant for recycling. They can also return used tiles after the life expectancy (50 years) of the sustainable roof. The tiles will be recycled keeping waste out of the landfill.

"At DaVinci we manufacture tiles with engineered polymer, organic fire retardants and inorganic pigments that are safe for the environment," says Tim Gentry, vice president of technical services at DaVinci Roofscapes. "Any of our manufactured slate or composite shake materials that fail to meet finished specs are re-purposed as starter tiles. And, all DaVinci imitation slate roof tiles and polymer shake roofing tiles are 100% recyclable."

DaVinci synthetic roofing materials must be returned to our manufacturing plant in Lenexa, Kansas to be recycled. Contractors can contact us at 800-328-4624 or CLICK HERE for details on how to return tile scraps, waste from the jobsite and removed tiles.

Here's a unique aspect of our recycling program: if a job site is within 500 miles of our plant, DaVinci will send prepaid FedEx Ground labels for the shipment back to us of up to four boxes of scrap materials. That means the recycling effort is good for the environment ... and your wallet!

See also Are DaVinci Tiles Made from Recycled Materials? and The Beauty of Being Eco-friendly.

Brigitte and Mike Meehan of Elgin, Illinois entered the Shake It Up Exterior Color Contest with a request to transform their cookie cutter house into a home that had a big personality all its own. They loved the results and their new look earned them top prize in the contest. Below I give you the top down approach to creating this winning look.

Starting from the top I knew that an upgraded roof would improve their overall look and be a great investment. The DaVinci Multi-Width Slate was a good match for the style of this home. The Brownstone color blend was a natural choice to blend with the colors in the stacked stone on the exterior. 

Keeping all of the fixed features in the same color range gives a cohesive look to the entire exterior and makes it easier to change the accent colors to give the home a fresh look in the future.

The existing main color (similar to Taupetone) worked with both the roof tiles and stacked stone so there was no need to repaint. I did however paint the garage door to match the main color to keep the wide, unattractive door from visually advancing. The big white garage door distracted the eye and made the home feel out of balance. The two sides of the home instantly looked more in balance when the garage door was painted to match the home rather than the trim.

The homeowners wanted a bit more privacy when enjoying their front porch. The perfect solution was to replace the columns of peeling paint and rotting fiberboards with a Fypon columns and balustrade system. Widening the steps to the full width of the opening and adding Fypon rail pieces brought focus to the entry. I choose to paint them Bancroft White. I like the crisp, fresh look against the brown tones of the home.

Therma-Tru Classic-Craft Canvas door with two sidelights replaced the existing front door. Painting the door Tanager, a deep red-orange, focuses the eye off center and to the right, a technique to give more weight to the right side of the home and make the home feel more equally balanced on both sides of the entry.

The narrow walkway to the driveway did not add to the landscaping and was too skimpy to even be practical. A wider walkway that curved away from the home replaced the existing walk and created an area for landscaping. Last, landscaping was designed to further enhance the appeal of this home. 

If you are ready to add value and curb appeal to your home, grab a free copy of  FRESH Color For Your Home Exterior and FRESH Home Exterior Colors: 5-Steps To Finding The Perfect Hues For Your Home. Discover how you can give your home a winning look.

If you're thinking of a natural slate roof for your home, think again.

The beautiful look of real slate can be offset by the weight of the product and its typically high cost. Instead, consider a slate alternative that offers the same beauty as the natural product, but is lighter in weight, resists impact, fire, mold, algae and insect infestations.

DaVinci Roofscapes Multi-Width Slate is carefully engineered to provide the authentic look and durability of natural slate using virgin resins. Available in 12", 10", 9", 7" and 6" widths, bundles of the sustainable roofing product arrive at the job site pre-sorted by color and size, eliminating on-site sorting and guesswork. The composite slate is crafted to display rough edges and natural stone-like surface textures and comes at an impressive 1/2" tile thickness.

DaVinci offers a line of slate products to fit every project. One of the company's most popular slate lines, Bellaforté, provides a manufactured slate roofing product that includes a leading edge tab and a self-aligning ledge to help reduce the installation time for the products. A square of Bellaforté slate roof shingles (with 100 pieces per square) weighs just 190 pounds. This lower tile weight helps reduce installation time and transportation costs.

Single-Width Slate roof tiles offer exceptional aesthetics and performance at a value-driven price point. Single-Wdith imitation slate tiles are available in a 12" tile width with a 1/2" thickness and is modeled after natural slate pieces.

No matter which simulated slate roofing tile you select, DaVinci products are all impervious to freeze/thaw cycles, impact resistant, maintenance free, color fade resistant, Class A fire rated (with specified underlayments), UL 2218 Class 4 impact rated, and wind resistant to 110 mph. All DaVinci synthetic slate shingles resist water absorption, which eliminates freeze-thaw issues and allows for installation in most weather conditions. And, every imitation slate tile from DaVinci is 100 percent recyclable and comes with a 50-year limited warranty.

For more information on DaVinci Slate products, visit Polymer Slate Profiles: Features and Benefits.

When talking to architects about the products they are going to recommend to their clients, most of the time our conversation veers towards what the client's current roof has on it. More often than not, if somebody is looking at our synthetic shake shingles, they already have cedar shake (or a product made to look like cedar shakes) on the roof and it is time for a replacement. Sometimes a certain roofing material just works for the home's style, and you need to find something that pretty much matches what is currently installed.

Towards the end of their useful life, a cedar shake roof not only looks shabby, but is more susceptible to wind or hail damage, which can lead to leaking and other problems. A polymer shake roof by DaVinci will resist deterioration over time and comes with a 50-year warranty. See before and after pictures below of this home's luxury roof replacement, a Bellaforté Shake roof in the Verona color blend. The material style and color didn't change much, but the new tiles clearly spruce up the overall look of the roof. 

Happy Friday, Architects!

We have a stone and cedar contemporary. We are replacing the current 17 yr. old real cedar shake roof with your Bellaforté product. What do you think would look best - the Espresso or a blend of the light and medium brown (or some other combination?)

Many thanks,
Brad

Brad Toben
Waco, TX
Product:Bellaforté Shake

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

Dear Mr. Tobin,

I think you are on the right track for the color and style of roof for your home.

Although it is a bit difficult to see the exact colors in the siding and stone of your home, from what I can tell the Espresso would be good color choice. It seems to blend well with the overall tone of the existing materials.

The other color I would have considered is the Abruzzo blend. It is a different tone and a bit lighter but it appears that is could also work well with your existing colors. Since you are staying all very close in tone it is just a matter of which looks like it blends the best and whether you want a darker or lighter roof.

Either way go with a color that works with your stone. This is a fixed feature that will not change even if the siding color does change. Step back and look at the sample colors and how they blend with the stone. If one clearly looks better with the stone then that would be the color I suggest. If both look equally attractive then choose the one you find most appealing.

I hope that helps you to make your color decision.

Sincerely,

Kate Smith
DaVinci Roofscapes Color Expert

To see more color advice, please click here to visit our color advice blog page.

I often get calls from contractors about how much waste they should add to their bid when figuring multi-width DaVinci Slate or DaVinci Simulated Shake roofing products. Although I don't know how often I'm believed, my answer is "there is no waste on a hip roof and one square for every 100 lineal feet of valley on a gable roof". Installing DaVinci tiles with no waste is a huge competitive advantage when compared with other steep slope systems where 10% or more waste factor is common. 

I have already discussed how to use a combination of our plastic slate tiles to avoid waste on gable ends in a previous tip. Another way to avoid waste is when cutting tiles for valleys. When I cut tiles for valleys I find the correct angle and cut all my tiles with a circular saw. 

I then use all the valley cuts shown on the right in my valleys and then the cuts  that are leftover are the perfect angle to use to finish the hips. Not only does this save material but it also saves time.

In Vail, Colorado the iconic Clock Tower's roof was in bad condition last year. “The Clock Tower might not have made it through another winter with the existing roof,” says Alberto Ortega, vice president of Plath Construction, Inc. in Eagle, Colorado. “We got the new DaVinci Multi-Width Slate roof installed in late November just before the start of snow season. These polymer slate roofing tiles resist extreme weather conditions and are basically maintenance-free, so they should last for decades.”

The roofscape of Vail is dotted with projects completed by Ortega and his team during the past few years. Several of the buildings feature DaVinci’s Castle Gray color blend of light, medium and dark gray tones to create a cohesive appearance. The Vail Transportation Center, Colorado Ski & Snowboard Museum and several government buildings are all close to the Clock Tower and feature designer roofs with DaVinci Slate alternative products in the Castle Gray blend. Plath Construction has also installed the DaVinci Shake product on a deli building in the downtown area and on the upscale Talisman Condominium project in the heart of the Vail Village.

“Aesthetic appeal is just one reason the DaVinci products are repeatedly chosen for projects in Vail," says Ortega. "Their excellent long-term performance in our demanding roofing environment of an 8100-feet elevation makes them a smart choice for our businesses, landmarks and homes.”

Vail isn't the only location that relies on DaVinci composite roofing. "Half of the roofs I install these days are polymer shake or slate products,” says Stacy Stines, owner of Stacy Stines Roofing out of Elk Park, North Carolina and a DaVinci Masterpiece Contractor. “The benefits are so tremendous for these low-maintenance roofing materials that there are entire communities in this mountainous area that mandate replacement roofs all be made of fire-resistant polymer material.”

Stines has replaced almost ten roofs on homes in the Valle Cay community near Boone, North Carolina. “Once someone sees this product installed, they love it and want it on their own home,” says Stines. “The roof has a good profile and dimension to it, the color blends are terrific and the advantage of knowing you have a roof backed by a 50-year limited warranty is extremely impressive.

Visit Featured Project - Aspen, CO and Interview with Stacy Stines of Stacy Stines Roofing in North Carolinafor more details on these projects.

You bought it. You love it. You keep it looking great. So why does someone else get a say in the color of your paint, door, deck or polymer roof? Many of the millions of Americans living in a community governed by homeowners associations (HOA) have found themselves asking that question.

If asked before you’ve painted your home or installed that gorgeous new roof – great question. After the fact, it may just be the beginning of a headache. To keep you from having to reach for a bottle of aspirin here are a few tips for getting your HOA to approve your home improvement project.

Start by digging out the copy of the CC&R's (covenants, conditions and restrictions). You were mostly likely given these at the time you closed on your home. Don’t worry you don’t need to read all of the Rules and Regulations just the ones referring to areas of property restrictions. This should give you an idea of what is acceptable and what isn’t in your community.

Don’t stop there, however, because some things may have changed. Even if you have kept your binder up-to-date with revisions you’ll want to check with your neighborhoods property management company about the current protocol for getting your project approved.

Call or stop by their office and ask them to explain the entire process and how long it will take to get an approval. Find out what forms need to be filled out and where to find them.

Also ask if there are pre-approved colors that must be used or if you are free to make your own selection. Also ask them if there is any guidance they can give you on color selection based on their experience. Their answer may just give you more insight on how to have your plans accepted than any written guidelines. It is well worth you time to ask.

You may think that if you have pre-approved colors that all you have to do is pick one and done. Not so fast. Even if the color is pre-approved it might not be approved for your home if it is identical to your neighbors. Look around and make sure your colors don’t mirror another home close by.

If you are on your own for choosing colors, look for colors that will express your personality or give your home a unique look but don’t deviate too far from what is the norm for your neighborhood. The ideal color scheme stands out while still fitting in. If you keep that idea in mind as you select your color scheme you’ll be well on your way to getting an HOA approval for your plans.

In my experience, it takes anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of months to get an approval for your colors and design. Don’t expect to decide to paint one day and be doing it the next when you’re in an HOA. You must allow for the time it takes to get approval.

As I alluded to earlier, asking for approval on a project after you’ve already completed it is often times a headache. On several occasions I have been hired to give my professional opinion to resolve a color dispute. From these experiences I can tell you that it is much easier to gain approval prior to beginning your project.

Keep in mind that the main goal of a HOA is to protect the property values of individual homeowners. By enforcing the rules, the HOA helps maintain the aesthetics of the neighborhood and property values of all the homes in the community.

In a perfect world this is a good thing for everyone. In the real world you may find that your HOA’s architectural review board has little knowledge of design and is only comfortable approving something that is very much like what is there now. If that is the case and you have your heart set on stepping beyond their color comfort zone you are will have to build a convincing case.

Often showing the committee rather than telling them is the best way to go about convincing them that your plan is a good fit for both your home and the neighborhood. Photos, samples, drawings or anything that can help them visualize the end result can be much more convincing than anything you can say.

Here are some related stories that may give you idea for putting together your presentation to the committee:

• New Trends for HOAs - Polymer Shakes!
• Is Your Homeowners' Association Holding Colors Hostage?
• Custom Tile Roofs Keep Up with Changing HOA Guidelines in Your Neighborhood

Getting your colors approved in most cases isn’t difficult. If you just take the time to understand the process and follow the steps, your request will be back to you in no time marked APPROVED!

What worries keep you up at night? Overdue bills? Teenagers missing curfews? Job challenges? Fear of unpredictable weather?

At DaVinci Roofscapes we can help eliminate one of those concerns. Reduce your worries and get a good night sleep no matter what the weather conditions outside by investing in polymer roof tiles overhead.

Made to withstand impact, high winds and severe weather conditions, our synthetic roofing material resists hail, hurricane-force winds and flying debris.

Not sure if your home is ready for a new roof? Then have a professional roofer inspect the roof for worn out areas, loose shingles and hail damage. And remember, even if you're not seeing tennis ball-sized pieces of hail fall from the sky, damage can occur when any size of hail hits your roof. That's because hail can drop from as high as 30,000 feet and reach speeds of over 120 mph before hitting your roof.

Here are a few things you can be alert to related to your roof:

1. Watch for missing shingles that blow away during a storm. These shingles should be replaced immediately to help prevent a leak from coming through exposed underlayment.


2. If you see damage to other areas of your home (like your gutters or fence) then there's a good chance you also have roof hail damage.


3. Check with your neighbors. If they're reporting hail damage to their roofs, then it's a good chance your roof was also severely impacted.


4. Make note of the date and time of any hail storms in your area. That information comes in handy when contacting your insurance company to file a claim.

Follow these tips and you can reduce your roof worries. We can't do much about your teenagers meeting their curfews ... but we can help make sure there's a secure, environmentally friendly roof overhead when they come home at night.

For more information on our tiles, please visit Impact Resistant Roofing: Fight Back Against Mother Nature and From the Architects Corner: Impact Resistant Roofing.