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Figuring Waste for DaVinci Polymer Roofing Tiles

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Deciding how much waste should be figured for the different DaVinci roofing products requires the contractor to answer a few questions.Polymer Roof Tiles

  1. Can the installers be counted on to be careful and save material where they can?

  2. If they cut a tile for a valley will they use the remnant on the corresponding hip?

  3. On Multi-width installation will they measure for the correct tile on the gable end or will they cut the tile and throw away the rest as waste?

  4. On Single-Width will they use the cutoff portion from the right side of a gable and use it on the left?

  5.  

If the answer to all of these questions is yes then DaVinci Multi-Width Slate and Shake can be installed with < 1% waste; unless there are valleys in the roof which don’t have corresponding hips. In that case there is 1 square of waste for every 100 linear feet of valley (that counts both sides of the valley). Single-Width Slate and Shake can be installed with < 2% waste with the same stipulation as above.

Bellaforté Slate and Shake will have more waste than our other products because often times the remnant of a cut cannot be reused. A good rule of thumb for the Bellaforté products is 4% waste with a conservative installer but that can go up to 8% if the installers are not conscientious about saving material.

For tips to help eliminate waste in valleys, please read Installing DaVinci Tiles With No Waste.


Insider's View: 15 Years at DaVinci Roofscapes

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DaVinci Roofscapes celebrates its 15-year company anniversary in 2014. To mark the occasion, we're traveling back to the company's opening days with a chat with one of our original --- and most cherished --- employees, Sharon Underwood.

Sharon, who is fondly known as "the voice of DaVinci" because it's her warm welcome callers received when contacting our company, actually started with DaVinci a full year before the company launched. She's been answering the phones and performing administrative and human resource duties since February of 1998.

 Chatting with Sharon:

 Q: You speak with dozens of people each day as "the voice of DaVinci." How does that make you feel?

A: I LOVE what I do! I truly enjoy interacting with so many different people each day both inside and outside our company. And, having a front-row seat to DaVinci's growth over the past 15 years is a thrill.

Q: What changes have you seen in the company since the early days?

A: It's really been a steady progression of outstanding success. It's impressive that there's been a guided, well thought-out plan for what our company is, the benefits we bring to the industry and where we're headed in the future.

Q: Does it really seem like you've been with DaVinci for 15 years?

A: Absolutely not. This company started with a great idea and grew from there. We've come a long way in a short amount of time. It's exciting to witness first-hand this kind of American business success story.

Q: From your perspective, what do you believe is the best product advancement DaVinci has come out with in synthetic roofing since the company launched?

A: Hands down, it's Bellaforté. These polymer roof tiles are such a success story because the composite slate and shake tiles allow customers a wider variety of product choices to suit their needs and budget.

Q. What's the best part of working at DaVinci?

A: Without a doubt, it's the people, the product and the collective vision for the quality of our product  and the benefit it is for those who choose our sustainable roofing. It’s so rewarding to know that what we offer is a benefit to the consumer.  Also, I have to say that one of my very early-on “jump for joy” moments came when I realized that DaVinci simulated shake roofing is so much safer than traditional shake shingles.  Those wood shingles are a fire hazard --- I'm so glad we offer a good-looking alternative that's fire-resistant!

Q: Why have you stayed with the company for 15 years?

A: Because I LOVE what I do, the people I work with and the quality lightweight roofing tiles we produce. I can’t imagine not being part of this day-to-day process.  I am blessed to be here!!

"Top Down" Color Message from Kate Smith

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Coast-to-coast television viewers have seen a great deal of color expert Kate Smith over the past weeks. As part of the launch for National Curb Appeal Month for August, Kate recently conducted satellite media tours nationwide to promote "top down" color on the exterior of the home (see Try "Top Down" Approach to Unify a Home's Exterior).

Designer RoofKate, who serves as a color consultant to DaVinci Roofscapes and other building product companies, was able to explain how adding color to the home exterior starts on the roof, then works its way down the siding, windows, door and trim of the home. She shared several tips for adding curb appeal to the home, including:

Tip #1 - Don't be afraid to add color to the outside of your home. When starting with a designer roof and working your way down, you can create an eye-pleasing color palette that makes your home a true stand-out in the neighborhood.

Tip #2 - If you select a blend of colors for your luxury roof, you can "pull out" certain colors for the window frames, door and shutters. For example, choose a DaVinci Multi-Width Slate blend of Aberdeen, which combines Dark Gray, Light Brown, Dark Purple, Green Stone and Dark Stone. Then you can use green, purple or gray for your trim pieces to pull the color down from the top of the house. You can even add flowering plants and landscaping with these attractive color accents.

Tip #3 - Make investments in products for the home that are colorful and provide great "return on investment." According to the 2014 Cost Versus Value Study from Remodeling magazine, you can recoup 67.6% of the cost of adding a new roof. The numbers go even higher if you add new vinyl siding (78.2%) or energy-efficient vinyl windows (78.7%).

To learn more and see Kate's interview, view her video below:

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Wedding Guest: DaVinci Polymer Slate Roof

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Bridal veils and scaffolding don't mix well. That's why, when the popular Addison Oaks - Buhl Estate in Leonard, Michigan needed a new roof, the installation had to be scheduled during the winter months.

"Approximately 30,000 guests visit our historic venue yearly," says Dan Shaw with Oak Management, which manages the manor. "We have hundreds of weddings in our English Tudor-style manor home each year, so the roof had to go up during our slower winter months."

Royal Roofing in Orion, Michigan was up to the challenge. They recommended and installed a Multi-Width Slate lightweight roofing solution from DaVinci Roofscapes during the early winter months of 2014.

"The previous roof tile was a violet/pink color that we were able to match with a violet-colored DaVinci imitation slate roof," says Tim Frisch, project manager with Royal Roofing. "The DaVinci product was specifically chosen because it provided the look of the original roof on the building and has a 50 year roof warranty."

Scaffolding surrounded the 1927 vintage building as the Royal Roofing team went to work. The uniquely-styled building has nine chimneys, a series of low-sloped dormers, an entrance turret and a variety of gables. "Our men loved the workability of the synthetic slate shingles," says Frisch. "We had no problems at all with the installation and we're recommending it for other residential and commercial projects in our area."

Slate Alternative

 

Completed on schedule despite heavy snowfall and chilly temperatures, the new roof now enhances the destination venue. "What has been most intriguing since the renovation is the amount of time people spend gazing at all the copper craftsmanship and the new shake tile roof," says Shaw. "Guests seem mesmerized as they walk up to the building. It's fun to watch!

"We have the picture-perfect setting for weddings and other special occasions. Now, thanks to DaVinci and Royal Roofing, those pictures just got better!"

From the Architect's Corner - Digital Architectural Binder

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Going paperless? Need a quick update to an existing DaVinci Roofscapes architectural binder? Our website offers all documents found in our binders in one convenient place. Click here to get to our online binder and download the latest brochures, installation instructions, testing certifications and green information on our steep slope roofing materials. 

Happy Labor Day, Architects! 

Polymer Roof Tiles

Featured Project - Norman, OK

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It may not seem like it, but choosing to stagger your multi-width or single-width slate roof shingles is kind of a big deal. It changes the overall appearance of the entire home. So on our end we understand that good photos of our tiles staggered or laid straight can really help a homeowner trying to decide which way to go. Recently, McRay Roofing out of Oklahoma City provided us with pictures of a project they completed in the European Blend in Multi-Width Slate. The end product looks amazing next to the combination brick and stone exterior and copper flashings and gutters!

Are you a homeowner who needs to see some photos of roofs installed with a staggered course to help you decide? Contact your local Project Specialist for help! 

DaVinci Masterpiece Contractor Program Member
McRay Roofing & Exteriors LLC
405-692-4000
www.mcrayroofing.com 

Composite Slate

 

Get Your Roof Ready for Autumn

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Summer sun may still be beating down on us, but it's not too early to get your home's exterior ready for autumn. As a bonus, the regular maintenance you do now on your home adds to its curb appeal and means less work when the weather turns colder.

Sustainable RoofingStart with your roof and gutters. Before your beautiful oak and maple trees shed all their leaves, check out the condition of your both your roof and gutters.

Using either a ladder or binoculars from across the street, look for problem areas in your roof, such as missing or broken shingles, along with roofing tiles that may be “flapping” in the wind. These are indications that roof repairs or a new roof may be in your future. If that’s the case, research the benefits of synthetic shake and simulated slate roofing tiles. These impact- and fire-resistant tiles come in a wide variety of colors and require minimal upkeep. Some roofing tiles, like those from DaVinci Roofscapes, help prevent roof hail damage and are classified as an environmentally friendly roof. They also have a 50 year roof warranty.

Next, check out your gutters. Too many homeowners underestimate the importance of the gutter system on the home. Several times a year you should to make sure your gutters are clean, unclogged, securely attached to your home and remain sloped for proper drainage. Plus, make sure the water running off the roof doesn’t cause damage to your building's structure, landscaping or property below the roof.

For more tips see Springtime Home Improvement Tips for Knowing When It’s Time to Replace The Roof on Your Homeand Top Tips for National Home Improvement Month.

Contractors "Hail" DaVinci Roofscapes

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What do quarters, golf balls, grapefruit and tennis balls all have in common? The answer is that they're all used to describe the size of hail that comes down during severe weather.

Back in 2010, Thad Jennings, president of Jenco Roofing out of Oklahoma City described some of the worst hail storms he'd seen in the city's history. "There were hundreds of destroyed roofs everywhere," says Jennings. "Every ceramic, concrete, metal, asphalt and composite roof I’ve seen in this area has been damaged by the hail storms.

“However, the synthetic slate DaVinci roofs we’ve installed over the past several years on homes in the same area are completely unaffected. It’s like a Superman roof that nothing can touch. The synthetic roofing material looks like it was just installed yesterday."

In another area of Oklahoma, roofing installer Jim Hofegartner believed this was the worst hail storm he’d witnessed during his 35 years as a roofer. (See: Grapefruit-Sized Hail Bounces Off DaVinci Synthetic Roofs)

“There were grapefruit-sized hail and 60 mph winds that pounded our area,” says Hofegartner, president of Central Roofing and Construction Company in Luther, Okla. “A DaVinci Aberdeen slate roof we installed a few weeks prior to the storm in Nichols Hills received minimal damage --- especially compared to the concrete tile roof next door that was totally destroyed.”

Manufactured Slate

 

According to Hofegartner, the windows and siding of the home were broken and chipped, but the major sections of the simulated slate roofing was not damaged. “We’ve had several homeowner association representatives come by to see this roof along with other people in the neighborhood,” says Hofegartner. “They’re all impressed with how well this synthetic slate roofing stood up to these severe weather conditions. I expect this will positively influence people to invest in polymer roofs now that they have to replace their ruined roofs.”

Standard simulated slate roofing and composite shake style roofing tiles manufactured by DaVinci are Class 4 impact rated, meeting the UL 2218 Impact Test. The 50 year roof limited warranty of the luxury roofs brings added peace-of-mind to homeowners. (See Tennis Balls of Ice Demolish Roof)


Iguanas, Waffles and Mold

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September is a strange month for celebrations. While most folks are thinking "back to school" and celebrated a long Labor Day weekend, there are some people preparing month-long celebrations honoring pianos, sewing and cholesterol.

During this ninth month of the year you can make a feast with all the foods being honored with their own full-month celebrations: prime rib, potatoes, peas, peaches and apples, to name a few! And don't get us started on National Iguana Awareness Day on the 8th, Wrinkled Raincoat Day on the 16th or Elephant Appreciation Day on the 22nd!

At DaVinci Roofscapes, we take most seriously the designation of September as being Mold Awareness Month. That's because our polymer roof tiles resist mold, algae and fungus. While some homeowners find mold and other unsightly items "feasting" on their natural cedar shake roof or slate shingles, our composite roofing is made to resist these elements of nature --- plus insects, decay and rot.

So, even though people across America may be celebrating Line Dance Week from the 8th through the 13th, or National Waffle Week from the 1st to the 6th, we'll continue to celebrate the no-mold, eco friendly roof products we manufacture every day.

Condos, Churches and Colleges ... Oh My!

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At DaVinci Roofscapes you'll find us "topping" off all types of commercial projects around the country from banks to shopping centers to hotels.

Imitation SlateLeading our effort to share the attributes of polymer roofing products with commercial project managers is Mike Ward, our national sales manager in charge of vertical markets. Mike's favorite acronym to throw around these days is "TCO" ... and here's why:

Q: Mike, what does "TCO" stand for?

A: TCO stands for Total Cost of Ownership. This is what property owners, investors and other stakeholders look at carefully when making a purchasing decision. It involves an analysis of the total cost of making a product investment.

Q: How does TCO relate to DaVinci's synthetic roofing material?

A: A TCO analysis involving a decision on roofing products for a theme park, condo community or even a restaurant evaluates how much the roof costs versus the long-term payback potential. For DaVinci composite roofing, we fare great because our imitation slate and shake alternative tiles are low maintenance products backed by a 50 year roof warranty. We also score high because our luxury roof products never need to be treated for mold, insects or algae.

Q: What other aspects help DaVinci roofs be a good investment for commercial projects?
A: Actually, the same features that make the slate alternative and simulated shake roofing good for homeowners make it even better for commercial projects. For example, DaVinci tiles have the highest impact rating, are fire-resistant and can even be power washed. Our sustainable roofing tiles resist water absorption, curling, cracking and fading ... making them durable for many years.

Simulated Shake RoofingQ: What are some easy-to-recognize commercial projects where the general public might see DaVinci synthetic roofing material?

A: That's easy. Various restaurant chains such as Cheddars, Bahama Breeze and Starbucks; some Bass Pro Shops, The North Face store, along with well-known institutions such as Notre Dame, Mount St. Marys College and the campuses of the State University of New York.

Q: Finally, where can people find you if they're interested in DaVinci products for commercial projects?

A: I'm always happy to talk about commercial projects and our eco friendly roof systems. Call me at 1-888-362-4957.  

For more details on green roof construction, see DaVinci Roofscapes Goes Commercial!

From the Architect's Corner - Vertical Applications

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Cedar roof shingles are commonly used as siding and on mansard roofs. But with the shake look comes those pesky bugs, broken shakes (after even small hail or wind storms), and maintenance to keep them from looking in disarray. In working with architects, I see all kinds of photos or renderings of homes where a portion of where their clients want to tile is essentially a vertical wall. What we offer is the look of shake, but with little or no maintenance and will last 50 years. Pictured below is a mansard roof where they used Bellaforté Shake in the Mountain VariBlend.

Fake Cedar Shake

 

Happy Friday, Architects! 

What Color Cedar Roofing??

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My brick is called a midland blend, 3 colors in the brick, can't find the right exterior color. Possibly a cedar shake in the upper portion, tri-level.

Gary Featherston
Waterford, Michigan
Product: color



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Mr. Featherston,

The color of your bricks are dark brown beneath white with brown grout and the roof should be a tone with the same brown color or colorcast. 

DaVinci Shake in Tahoe blend looks like it would work well. You just want to make sure that Tahoe or one of the other brown-based tiles has a color that blends well with the brown in the bricks. I added a sample to the image of what I think the based color of the bricks to help you see what I mean.

Also I would shy away from brown for the siding. If you try to match the bricks it is always going to be a bit off and end up looking "fleshy" rather than warm and inviting and plain dark brown will look out-of-date. 

Instead I would go for a color that works well with brown. I like green -- either green with yellow undertone or green with blue undertone but blue, blue-green or even a very toned down red could work.

Painting the siding and trim both as you have now will work best. Paint the garage door and surrounding area this same color.

I hope that helps you to make a decision on the colors for your exterior.

Sincerely,

Kate Smith
DaVinci Roofscapes Color Expert

Cedar Shake Alternative

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the Road with DaVinci's Tyler Storfa

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From Kansas City to San Jose (and everywhere in between!) you'll find DaVinci's Tyler Storfa on the road three or more weeks each month conducting contractor training programs.

"Each lightweight roofing systems training session is different because we customize our programs to the exact needs of our customers," says Tyler, the Western Technical Services Manager for DaVinci Roofscapes. "Whenever possible we prefer to be as hands-on as possible to actually show how our polymer roofing products are installed.

Tyler, who has traveled recently to Portland, Sun Valley, Los Angeles, Wyoming and Colorado for imitation slate and shake training programs, still gets excited by each on-site session.

"I had a great training day with Elite Roofing's crews outside of Seattle recently," says Tyler. "They're really enthusiastic about offering Bellaforté Shake as a cedar shake alternative. The areas of the west with natural cedar are excited to offer a beautiful and permanent roofing solution while keeping the appearance of heavy cedar shake roofing.

"My goal is to make the people being trained as comfortable as possible with our composite roofing products and help them develop the confident to tackle a roofing project while knowing what to expect of their time and materials. We go over it all --- field and trim pieces, common pitfalls and savings tips."

So, what does Tyler recommend for a cost savings tip? "With a little care, the 'standard' home has very little waste when using our sustainable roofing products," says Tyler. "I usually recommend about three percent for cuts and waste on a normal project. Also, the use of cordless saws is ideal for saving time and making accurate cuts."

DaVinci Composite Shake: Seeing is Believing

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Homeowner Linda Merrihew did not want a composite roof. Then she saw DaVinci Roofscapes simulated shake roofing tiles on a home and her mind was changed.

"After we visited a few locations so I could actually see it on an entire roof (and not just a picture or a piece), I loved it," says Merrihew, a resident of Tualitin, Oregon. "It looked so real and I thought it would be perfect on our five acres with all the trees always dropping needles and leaves. I was right. They just slide right off!"

Most importantly, Merrihew always had the dream of a grey house ... and she was able to reach that dream with a custom blend of three grey fake cedar shake tiles created for a DaVinci Multi-Width Shake roof.

"I thought if I started with a grey roof I would work my way down," says Merrihew. "Our roof is a huge portion of our house so a single color would have been boring and overpowering. The tri-color grey blend is subtle but just enough to break it up and make it look unique. I love it!"

 

Merrihew's home is now painted a pale grey with grey shutters and trim. Although she may not have known it at the time, she was adhering to the "top down" color advice offered by national color expert Kate Smith, who always recommends starting at the roof and working down with color combinations on a home exterior. (see Adding Color to the Exterior of the Home)

How satisfied is Merrihew with her new luxury roof? "I absolutely LOVE the look, and everyone who sees it is totally impressed," says the homeowner. "My son was a 'Street of Dreams' builder last year and he wishes he had known about this roof sooner!"

DaVinci Roofscapes Launches Updated Web Site

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Log on! Visit the recently-updated DaVinci Roofscapes website and you'll discover a comprehensive new homeowner section, step-by-step contractor support and detailed polymer roofing product specifics.

With a dynamic new design and fast access to composite roofing information, the website is a valuable resource for both industry professionals and homeowners needing information on polymer slate and synthetic shake roofing products. Key areas of the site include an easy-to-navigate products section, toolboxes of helpful information designated for both professionals and homeowners, a color & inspiration section, and an extensive gallery of images that can be searched by either product or color.

 

"One example of the user-friendliness of the site comes in the updated project profile section offering ideas and inspiration," says Wendy Bruch with DaVinci Roofscapes. "You can now search for roofing stories by year or by category, including residential, commercial, educational, religious and historic."

Bruch reports that the new Homeowner Toolbox was added based on increased interest from consumers in synthetic roofing products. "We offer a 'how to select a contractor' section and also information on our product warranty and a comparison chart. This one-stop area of the site allows you to compare our DaVinci products to both real slate and natural cedar shake products plus other synthetic roofing in the marketplace for beauty, labor requirements and product performance."


From the Architect's Corner - A Helpful Tip

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A new, composite shake or slate roof can change the entire look of your project. Unless your client routinely does major exterior changes (or their next door neighbor already has a DaVinci roof on their home - which hey, happens!), there may be some anxiety over which color to choose and how it will look once installed. Recently I was contacted by a local architect who is shopping for his own new roof and knew to call us when he decided to look into synthetic shake roofing material. When I followed up with him a few weeks later he said the tiles had arrived and were nailed up onto his roof so he could observe the color in the morning and afternoon light, and on sunny and cloudy days. This is sound advice that our Color Expert, Katie Smith, has said time and time again. Lighting matters, and what you see on your computer screen or on a conference room table under fluorescent lighting will not be what you get as the end result. Have your clients put the material outside, next to any other fixed features such as the siding products. Let it soak in for as long as possible so when they make their choice, they can be sure it is the right one. 

Interested in obtaining some samples? Contact Us!

Happy Friday, Architects!

Polymer Roof Tiles

 

Help... Not Sure Which Color Will Work Best on Our Roof

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Looking for color and install thoughts, like the color and install style located at http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/b2/d5/c5/b2d5c50908a2bca32a9d637708228390.jpg. Not sure how this look is achieved, not sure what color will work best. Looking for recommendations. Thank you!

Courtney Springer
Kansas City, Missouri
Product: Multi Width Slate

Shake Shingle Roof

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Hi Mr. Springer,

The multi-color, multi-width style you noted that you said you like could be great on your home from what I can see. As long as the front doesn't have any elements such as stone or brick that would not work with the colors and style.

Consider either Vineyard Blend or Aberdeen Blend. I think Aberdeen fits the surrounding well. Vineyard Blend would be more colorful. Either one would add a lot of personality to your home.

You could choose one of the colors in the roof and then go a bit stronger/brighter for your front door.

I hope that gives you some ideas for your roof.

Sincerely,

Kate Smith
DaVinci Roofscapes Color Expert

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Composite Roofing Insights from Joe Hall Roofing

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Located in Arlington, Texas, Joe Hall Roofing has been an established roofing company for more than 30 years. The family-run business, which is a member of the DaVinci Masterpiece Contractors program, installs a variety of roofing in north Texas and the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

One of the specialties of Joe Hall Roofing is to find lightweight roofing solutions for their customers. Many of these solutions include DaVinci Roofscapes polymer roofing products.

To gain the insights of this valued customer, we asked Brett Hall, president of Joe Hall Roofing, to share his thoughts on synthetic roofing material with us.

Q: How many DaVinci luxury roofs does your company install each year?
A: About 10 in our Texas marketplace. We find there are many advantages to these designer roofs for our clients, including the aesthetics required for large/steep roof designs, hail resistance, insurance discounts and the equity value the roof brings to the property.

Q: What keeps you coming back to DaVinci polymer roof tiles for your projects?

A: The performance and upscale appearance is critical in "high-end" roofing. It's almost like the roofing contractors are very aware of strong performance and the consumer is very aware of appearance. This product just makes everyone satisfied.

Q: What does being a DaVinci Masterpiece Contractor program member do to help you grow your business?

A: The DMC program is a real statement of know-how and confidence. The percentage of DMCs in any given market is small and selective ... and that alone promotes your company.

Q: What advice do you have for roofers outside your area for growing their business by selling and installing DaVinci products?

A: There are people who buy Toyotas, Fords and Chevy's. There are also people who buy a Lexus, BMW and Mercedes. Develop your business as one who can sell top-end and bottom.

See DaVinci Masterpiece Contractorsfor more details on the DaVinci program for contractors installing our green roofing options!

Slimy Slate Roofs

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Yuk. That's the first word that comes to mind when some homeowners discover that their natural slate roof tiles have algae growth, bird poop stains or even moss growing between the tiles.

Travel through Europe and you see these slimy slate roof conditions everywhere. While it may be "charming" and add "character" to the roofs overseas, none of us want the ongoing maintenance hassles or cracking problems of a natural slate shingles on our home in the United States.

Thank goodness for polymer roofing advancements. Started 15 years ago, DaVinci Roofscapes manufactures imitation slate tiles that resist algae, mold, fungus and insects. The fake slate tiles are part of a lightweight roofing solution for the home that offers the beauty of slate, but without the headaches of yearly maintenance. (See DaVinci Slate Roofing Rivals Natural Slate)

Best of all, DaVinci synthetic slate shingles resist curling, cracking and fading. They also come with a 50 year roof warranty ... and the cost of installing a DaVinci composite slate roof system can be up to 50% less than quarried slate installation!

For more information on DaVinci Single-Width and Multi-Width simulated slate roofing with a Class A Fired Rating, see Fred Flintstone's Boss Would Love DaVinci Slate Tiles.

Picking A Perfect Color Scheme For Your Bungalow Style Home

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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

Green Roof Systems

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 bungalow 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.

Cedar Roof Shingles

To honor the style of this home, polymer shake roofing tiles in New Cedar were used on the roof. This blend includes a combination of five shades of cedar colors and complements the entire vision of the home.

The homeowners didn’t love the dark color of the bricks on their home. I knew that the high contrast of their existing white trim was making the bricks seem that much darker. I also knew that the perception of a color could be changed by the colors surrounding it, so I worked on finding a color that would make the brick more attractive.

There was only a small area of the siding that was not covered with brick. For those areas I chose Chamois, a warm golden tan paint color that harmonizes with the New Cedar roof and the color of the bricks. Chamois contrasts with the brick to highlight the architectural details of the Bungalow-style and brings out the best of the color tones in the brick.

A second paint color, Forest Night, added to the peaks over the door and window areas, draws the eye upwards. Although the paint covers a small area, the color takes most of the attention away from the color of the brick.

British Brown was my choice as an accent color for the urethane brackets above the door and near the dormer windows as well as the pot shelves under the lower windows. The Chocolate Brown window frames—another color choice that honored the history of this style of home --- inspired my choice of British Brown.

Chamois was used on the rest of the trim including column wraps to carry the color across more of the home and keep the focus on the entry and front porch details.

Rather than paint the front door, I recommended replacing it with a classic- looking fiberglass entry door stained in cedar with a doorlite and sidelites that had decorative glass. This makes the entry a welcoming focal point for the home and stays with the type of door style found on original Craftsman bungalow homes.

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 this bungalow the privacy lattice on the side porch was replaced and stained cedar to match the front door color. Once you've looked at the entire home and selected the colors for each element following my FRESH approach, congratulate yourself...

Designer Roof

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.

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