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One-Stop Shopping at www.DaVinciRoofscapes.com

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Everyone loves one-stop shopping. It's easy, convenient and saves you time and hassles.

Welcome to the DaVinci Roofscapes website  --- your one-stop shopping location for information on synthetic shake and composite slate roofing tiles.

Polymer Roofing Products

 

Start your shopping and research visit to our website at our PRODUCTS section. That's where you'll gain a fast overview of our Multi-Width, Single-Width, Bellaforté, Fancy Shake and EcoBlend product lines.

Next, gain the details you need in our HOMEOWNER TOOLBOX. This section of our website includes overviews of residential projects, tips on how to select a roofing contractor and easy ways to obtain literature. A fast-read comparison chart in this section also shows at-a-glance information comparing our polymer roofing products to natural roofing products and other synthetic materials.

When you're in need of inspiration and guidance, visit our COLOR & INSPIRATION section. Here you'll find a free online color designer tool where you can create a personalize color blend for your roof. Plus you'll find our free downloadable color e-books from color specialist Kate Smith.

We're not done yet. On our one-stop-shopping site you can also find a GALLERY of more than 300 images showing DaVinci products on structures, plus a "Locate a Contractor" link where we connect you with a roofer in your area!

365 days a year, 24/7 ... you can get all the roofing information you need at www.davinciroofscapes.com.

 

 


Rich Reds Give Home Exteriors a Fall-Friendly Feeling

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By Jennifer Ott, Houzz

This week’s featured exterior color is inspired by the rich palette of fall, specifically the crimsons and burgundies found in leaves as they turn. These deep ruby-red hues also call to mind full-bodied red wines that we can dig out and enjoy once again now that the weather is finally turning cooler.

Related: How to Choose the Right Color for Your House

While not as loud as the previously featured bold orange colors, these reds still provide a healthy dose of drama on the exterior of a home, and they’re appropriate for a variety of architectural styles and geographical regions. Read on to see six stunning examples of rich red-hued homes, along with a sampling of paint color palettes to help coordinate siding and accent colors.

 


Lands End Development - Designers & Builders, original photo on Houzz

 

I wouldn’t care how frightful the weather outside was if I had this beautiful lake home to take shelter in. From the dark gray roof to the rich red and warm wood siding, the palette is elegant but with a nice rustic vibe. And despite the variety of materials used on the exterior, it doesn’t feel too busy, because the colors are all within the same warm, dark color family.

 


Houseplans LLC, original photo on Houzz

 

A gorgeous modern home deserves an equally fetching color scheme. As with the previous example, if you’re using two different siding materials, try using color to further differentiate them. It makes for a more interesting facade. Plus it allows you to use a smaller amount of a deep or dark hue that you might be hesitant to use top-to-bottom on the house.

 


Craftsman Exterior, original photo on Houzz

 

Our featured hue works well on just about any style of home. Whereas the previous example featured a modern house, you can see this more traditional home also looks great. The light gold trim is an excellent choice; a pure white trim would have been too jarring with the other colors in this palette.

Related: These Porch Photos Will Motivate You to Increase Your Home’s Curb Appeal

 


Atelier 292 Architect Inc., original photo on Houzz

 

Having grown up in a rural Midwestern town, I fondly tend to associate red exteriors with the ubiquitous barns of my youth. And while the assertions vary widely as to why barns were traditionally painted red — from it being an economical paint color to wanting to mimic more expensive red brick to the dubious claim that red helps guide the cows home — we can likely all agree that red is a great choice for a modern take on a barn- or farmhouse-style home.

 

 
Bau-Fritz GmbH & Co. KG, original photo on Houzz

 

Red is not a wallflower kind of color, especially when used against a backdrop of greens. This is because red and green are opposite each other on the color wheel and therefore provide the most contrast to each other. If your house has an interesting form that you want to play up, paint it the complementary color of the surrounding landscape.

 

 
Moger Mehrhof Architects, original photo on Houzz

 

If you’re loving these rich red hues but are concerned about using them in large amounts on the exterior of your home, think about breaking them up. This is a look best pulled off on contemporary or rustic homes, but even a traditional home could add a red-hued gable or, at the very least, a ruby-red front door.

Related: Try Red in Small Doses With a Crimson Porch Swing

 


Jennifer Ott Design, original photo on Houzz

 

Try These Palettes

If you go with a deep, rich color for your siding, I’d recommend keeping the trim and accent colors very neutral, so as not to compete with the red.

Siding color: Borscht
Trim color: Natural Tan
Front door-accent color: Raisin
All from Sherwin-Williams

 


Jennifer Ott Design, original photo on Houzz

Siding color: Antique Ruby
Trim color: Black Bean
Front door color: Witch Hazel
All from Behr

 

 


Jennifer Ott Design, original photo on Houzz

 

Siding color: Raisin Torte
Trim color: Graystone
Front door color: Midnight Oil
All from Benjamin Moore

Historic Lighthouse Gets Durable New DaVinci Roof

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Constructed in 1838, the Salmon River Lighthouse in Pulaski, N.Y. has survived more than 175 challenging winters. Located at the convergence of the Salmon River and Lake Ontario, this sturdy stone structure (also known as the Selkirk Lighthouse) was elected to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

Polymer SlateThroughout its long history, the lighthouse (which can now be rented for overnight stays), depended on an assortment of roofs to help protect it from gale force winds, snow, sleet and torrential rains. (See When the Winds Blow ...)

"Weather conditions at the lighthouse take a hard toll on roofs," says Mike Barnell, representing the family owners of the lighthouse and adjacent marina property. "The 1990s asphalt roof was simply worn out. We started thinking about replacing it a few years ago. That's when I discovered composite roofing. The durability of synthetic roofing has a strong appeal to us given the brutal exposure the lighthouse has to Lake Ontario weather conditions."

After researching roofing options, Barnell selected Multi-Width Slate roofing from DaVinci Roofscapes.

"We chose this composite roofing for more than just its exceptional resilience," says Barnell. "We feel it's an important design element for the lighthouse and the roofing projects planned for new construction projects on the property. We're looking forward to adding a restaurant, shoreside structures supporting the marina operations and additional cottages."

To complement the stone walls of the lighthouse, the owners selected DaVinci's Brownstone blend and requested Dark Purple tiles be added to create a custom color.

"The Selkirk Lighthouse needed many repairs when our families acquired the property," says Barnell. "The roof was a priority for us since we needed to protect the structure itself from rain, snow and winds coming off Lake Ontario.

"We identified the custom color blend and composite slate we wanted to use in the summer of 2015. By then however, the weather was already turning so we put the project off until this year. Now that the reroofing project is complete, it's comforting to know that the Selkirk Lighthouse will be protected by its new DaVinci roof until well after the lighthouse's 200th anniversary in 2038."

 

What Architects Can Expect When Calling DaVinci Roofscapes

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Pampered. In one word, that's how an architect feels when they call us for assistance.

At DaVinci Roofscapes we understand that the needs of an architect are different from those of a homeowner, roofer or builder. We understand architects need extremely technical information, like code requirements, weight and underlayment details. And, we understand that style and color selection of synthetic shake and composite slate tiles are also important to architects.

Luxury RoofBetter than understanding all of this, we're ready to help with the answers.

"We know there is a long life cycle with architecturally-driven projects and we're here to support architects from the start of a project to completion," says Megan Stone, marketing program manager for DaVinci Roofscapes. "Some projects may take months, while others take years. We remain in contact with architects at every step of the way to offer them personal support and assistance."

In addition to the individual support offered at DaVinci, architects can also find on-line assistance in the Architects section of the DaVinci website dedicated specifically to architectural needs. Our DaVinci Digital Architectural Binder includes detailed information on technical specifications, testing specs, sustainability and products that can easily be reviewed and downloaded.

DaVinci also offers face-to-face presentations with architects that involve Continuing Education Credits along with online coursework through AEC Daily (click HERE to see).

"The important thing for architects to know is that we are here to support their needs --- from their first question about our product through specifications stages," says Stone. "Our goal is to educate and help --- and perhaps to make an architect feel a bit pampered along the way!"

 

Featured Project - Wichita, Kansas

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This year the Sunflower Travel Group's building needed a roof replacement, so they turned to Heiland Roofing & Exteriors for some recommendations. Heiland has installed dozens of DaVinci polymer shake roofs in the Wichita area, many of them because of nasty storms that have come through the area in the last couple of years. For this building, they installed Bellaforté Shake in the Tahoe Blend. Bellaforté Shake has the authentic appearance of jumbo cedar shakes, but without the hassle of yearly maintenance, mold/algae growth, damage due to wind and hail, or any of the other problems that natural cedar shakes have through out their (short) lifespan. This means that the roof can go up, and stay up, without much upkeep burdening the business owners.  

Heiland Roofing & Exteriors
316-686-8200
www.heilandroofing.com

Synthetic Slate

What's Growing on YOUR Roof?

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Talk about a roof garden ... several structures at the Maine Botanical Gardens have taken the idea to new heights!

While the gardening team at this idyllic location have certainly put every square inch of space to good use, it begs the question of how did they get so much greenery to actually grow on the rooftops? And, more importantly, what may be growing on YOUR roof?

The unfortunate answer is that algae, mold, mildew, moss and even the occasional greenery, can indeed grow on a variety of roofing tiles ... including cedar shakes, asphalt shingles and real slate roofs. Some homeowners with this problem end up paying quite a bit of money on a regular basis to have these "growths" removed from their roofs.(See Slimy Slate Roofs and Composite Roofing Resists Mold)

What's the answer if you don't want to put your green thumb to use on your roof? Synthetic slate and shake roofing tiles from DaVinci Roofscapes.

Our man-made polymer roof tiles resist impact, fire spread and yes, even greenery. Of equal importance, they resist the growth of algae, fungus and mold, so there are no long-term maintenance hassles or costs.

Let's remember also that a "garden roof" can be a siren's call to insects, decay and rot. All common problems for roofs that invite growth.

Unless you're interested in creating a yearly harvest on your roof, take time when selecting your next roof to consider all the benefits of synthetic slate and shake tiles from DaVinci. Along with a beautiful roof, you'll get a lifetime limited warranty that provides you with the peace-of-mind of knowing that the only greenery you'll be harvesting is from your garden. 

Recycling ... Today and Every Day

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Today is America Recycles Day ... and at DaVinci Roofscapes we're doing our part!

We've invested in new equipment that reduces our scrap product overall. However, that still leaves approximately 800,000 pounds of polymer roofing tiles that we will recycle and reuse at our plant in Kansas this year. (SeeDaVinci Roofscapes Recycles 365 Days a Year)

Why so much waste? Because each time we "switch" to running a different color through our processing equipment (and remember, we have 50 colors!) there's a transition between the colors. Those transition tiles are off spec and are recycled. The composite roofing tiles are segregated by color and then ground up and molded into starter shingles, which are generally unseen on the roof.

"Because every roofing tile we create is 100 percent recyclable, our operations are extremely environmentally-friendly," says Bryan Ward, vice president of operations at DaVinci Roofscapes. "In 2016 we've taken our commitment to recycling a step further by investing in a new grinding recycling system that handles purge (melted chunks of polymer that can weigh approximately 50 pounds) as well as off spec product."

    

 

The smart recycling efforts taking place at our facility every day reduces the amount of waste being sent to landfills. By the end of 2016 we will have recycled almost three million pounds of processed polymer in six years. That's a lot of recycling ... with some solid benefits for the environment.

Dreaming of a Famous Re-Roofing Project

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The Taj Mahal. Buckingham Palace. The Empire State Building. Hearst Castle. These famous landmarks all have one thing in common: a roof overhead.

Just for fun, we asked some of our DaVinci Roofscapes team members to "dream a little" and tell us which famous building they would re-roof with our synthetic slate or shake roofing products if they had the chance. Here are some of their responses that may help to transform famous structures in the future! And, by the way ... which famous building would YOU re-roof with our polymer tiles?

"It must be the roof that the Mona Lisa is looking at ... that's why she has that smile!"

Ray Rosewall
President and CEO, DaVinci Roofscapes

 

"The AT&T Stadium in Dallas. And I'd do a custom design with the Dallas Star out of contrasting roof tiles because it would look stunning."

Aaron Adams
Central Regional Manager, DaVinci Roofscapes

 

"Too many to choose just one building, but I'd definitely pick a historic hotel, like the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac in Quebec or the Old Faithful Inn at Yellowstone National Park."

Mike Ward
Northeast Regional Manager, DaVinci Roofscapes

 

"Absolutely The White House. By upgrading to a DaVinci slate roof this famous building would benefit from the technical advances that make it a long-lasting, eco-friendly roof."

Kate Smith
Chief Color Maven, Sensational Color


DaVinci Tiles Add Personality to Home

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Hugh Willner's fiber cement roof was no match for Mother Nature.

Fake Cedar ShakeWhen a rare late January wind storm tore off his roof, Willner contacted El Cajon Roofing for help.

"My roofers introduced me to synthetic shake tiles from DaVinci Roofscapes and I really liked the look," says Willner, a resident of San Diego, Calif. "I wanted something a little less 'common' that would help add personality to my home while withstanding strong winds."

He determined the Single-Width Shake tiles in a custom blend of Medium Light Autumn was the perfect fit for his home. With a proven wind resistance up to 110 mph, Willner no longer has to worry that his roof will be affected by windy weather. And, he decided to have 30 solar panels added to the south side of his roof at the same time!

"My USAA Insurance paid for the entire roof replacement," says Willner. "By adding in the solar panels I've had a minus energy usage for several months. This is a win-win situation for me. As a bonus, there were some composite shake roofing tiles left over so I had my outside shed also re-roofed.

"This is a great looking roof. Everyone loves it. I would definitely recommend a DaVinci polymer roof to any of my friends or family looking for a new roof. I just hope they don't have to have Mother Nature come blowing in before they make the decision to invest in one!"

Learn more about the benefits of polymer roofing at:

     New DaVinci Roof = Cash in Your Wallet

     What Would Your Friends Say About a New Lifetime Roof From DaVinci Roofscapes?

 

 

How Does Made in America Roofing Benefit ME?

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Have you ever tried calling a company about a product warranty and ended up speaking with someone in Asia? Or, have you had a question about the product you purchased and found out your call was routed to India for technical support?

 

 

Today is American Made Matters Day ... and it matters for many reasons. Along with the fact that American-Made products support the USA economy, it's generally easier to contact and work with companies in America than those overseas.

At DaVinci Roofscapes our entire operation is based in Lenexa, Kansas. That's where we manufacture all our synthetic shake and polymer slate roofing products. And, that's where our corporate office is located along with all of our customer support and technical team members. So, when you're calling us for assistance, you're connecting with someone in Kansas.

Why else does it matter to purchase Made in America products? Because you can usually get them quicker. Think about it ... if products are made in and shipped from outside the USA it takes time and increases the cost of the product to get it to you. By shipping out of Kansas, which is centrally located in America, we can get our composite roofing products into your hands much faster than products that might be coming from China or Europe.

Finally, Made in America evokes a sense of pride for a purchaser. Pride in supporting our USA workers and our economy. When it's time to purchase your next roof, make sure it's American Made. (See DaVinci Proudand Red, White & Blue ... and Green)

 

 

Worry-free Synthetic Shake Roof Chosen by Homeowner

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Most people would be envious of Robbin Torrey's home. Located in Carmel, the coastal rustic California house has sweeping ocean views that could soothe any soul. The one blemish on her ideal home ... the original 51-year-old redwood shake roof.

"The old roof had deteriorated to the point that rusted nails holding the curling wood shakes in place (plus the shakes themselves!) were simply falling off the roof," says Torrey. "The roof was in very bad condition and I was worried that it would start leaking when it rained."

In 2013 Torrey made the important decision to invest in a new designer roof. After a search on the Internet she discovered composite shake roofing from DaVinci Roofscapes. Then she did three important things:

1. Torrey found a roofing contractor who had installed DaVinci products on other homes in her area;

2. She looked at product and color samples of DaVinci tiles at the roofer's warehouse; and,

3. She brought the samples to her home to see how they would look near her house during different times of daylight.

"The DaVinci roofing material was of the best quality of all the products I reviewed," says Torrey. "I liked the durability and appearance of the shake. Since my house is right on the coast, the fact that this synthetic shake tile has a wind resistance of 110 mph was very important to me."

Also of importance was the fire-resistance of the composite shake shingles. "While I don't have concerns about wildfires in my area, I was worried about the hot embers escaping from my fireplace and fire resistor," says Torrey. "They could easily have started a fire on the old wood shake roof. Now, with the DaVinci synthetic roofing, I no longer have this concern." (see Class A Fire Rated Polymer Roofing Eases Worries for West Coast Residents)

Three years after her DaVinci roof was installed, Torrey continues to have peace-of-mind and enjoy her Multi-Width Shake roof in DaVinci's Mountain blend color.

"The appearance of my new DaVinci roof far exceeded my expectations," says Torrey. "A person would never know that my house is 51 years old. I really appreciate that DaVinci has crafted such a beautiful roof that I can trust to help protect my home for many years to come."

 

DaVinci Roofscapes Now Offers SOLARHIDE

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Great news for roofers: DaVinci Roofscapes now sells SOLARHIDETM, a one-step radiant barrier underlayment that also serves as a vapor barrier. SOLARHIDERoofers using a single layer of SOLARHIDE in conjunction with DaVinci Shake, Slate and Bellaforté products can attain a Class A fire rating for their roofing projects.

"Our testing shows that a single layer of SOLARHIDE underlayment works effectively with the majority of our products to allow roofers to achieve a Class A fire rating," says Tim Gentry, vice president of technical services of DaVinci Roofscapes. "By offering SOLARHIDE to roofers, we're serving as a 'one stop source' to make it easier for them to obtain a dependable underlayment and synthetic roofing materials at the same time."

Made from raw materials, SOLARHIDE is produced with woven and non-woven fabrics as well as pure aluminum. The durable underlayment is 100 percent recyclable and exceeds Miami-Dade specifications. The rip-resistant SOLARHIDE product is now available from DaVinci Roofscapes in a 10 square roll (48 inches wide by 250 feet long) with 25 rolls per pallet.

"SOLARHIDE was specifically engineered to reduce heat transfer into roof structures," says Wayne Foster, CEO of Eco Chief Products, makers of SOLARHIDE. "This product is able to protect the roof deck from heat much better than standard roofing underlayment."

Based in Fort Worth, Texas, Eco Chief's SOLARHIDE product meets or exceeds the requirements for ASTM D-226 Type I and II, along with specifications for Miami-Dade certification.

 

 

 

 

DaVinci Roofscapes: Who is on the Other Side of the Phone Line?

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At DaVinci Roofscapes we specialize in the "custom" part of customer service. Danielle Wiese, one of our project specialists, provides individualized attention for every caller. Don't be afraid to pick up the phone and call her ... she's ready to spend quality time to help you feel comfortable about your roofing decision.

Q: Danielle, about how much time do you spend on the phone with an individual?

A: On an average, I'd say about 35 minutes for a first-time caller. These are people who need product information, literature, samples, contractor referrals, distributor information and things like that. After a first call, it may drop down to 15-20 minutes for follow up calls.

Q: That's a lot of time on the phone. What can people expect when they call DaVinci?

A: First of all, we listen. We learn about why they're calling and then we support them with whatever needs they have. Some people need to connect with a contractor. Others need color selection assistance. Roofers may have slope questions. Homeowners may have pricing questions. We handle everything.

Q: Are most phone calls a "one and done" type of thing?

A. Absolutely not. Most times we help people as they progress through the stages of product information to roof selection to decision time. There was one Nebraska homeowner that I started with in June. We spoke on numerous occasions until her DaVinci roof was installed in August.

Q: Share some secrets ... what product do people call about the most?

A: That's easy --- our shake profiles in Tahoe and Mountain color blends. Bellaforté products are a common request. In the last few months I've definitely seen an increase in calls related to DaVinci EcoBlend products. Homeowners seem to want to know more about eco-friendly and energy saving roofs.

Q: Finally, what do you do on your "off hours" to relax?

A: Travel! My recent trip to Belize was magical. I can't wait to visit New Orleans and northern California in the future. I'm originally from Dallas, so I've now got the travel bug. The funny thing is, when I'm traveling, one of my favorite habits is to check out the roofs on homes and structures!

 

Knock, Knock ...

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Knock, knock ... who's there?

If you have a DaVinci slate or shake roof, that's not the start of a bad joke ... it's a way of life.

"I've had people drive by my home, look at my roof, stop and ring my doorbell asking questions about my DaVinci Multi-Width Shake roof!" says Robbin Torrey, a California homeowner. And she's not alone.

Polymer Slate RoofIn North Carolina, where Kathy Ziprik had a Bellaforté Slate roof installed several years ago after an unusual hail storm destroyed her asphalt shingle roof, she gets roofing questions at the most unusual times. "When I host a garage sale I continually get more questions on the roof than on what I'm selling," says Ziprik. "I've started passing out some extra DaVinci shingles that were left over in my garage after the installation.

"It doesn't stop there. Neighbors still come by to ring my bell and ask about the roof. When I have contractors or plumbers come to do work in my home, it's completely predictable that the first thing they'll ask about is what kind of roof I have on my house!"

What's all the fuss about? For most people, even though DaVinci products have been on homes for almost two decades, they're not used to seeing a product that looks so close to real slate or shake.

"EVERYONE who comes up our driveway comments on our designer roof --- friends, family, delivery drivers and service professionals," says homeowner Rob Fanjoy. "They all rave about how great it looks and can't believe it's not real slate. Our DaVinci imitation slate roof has held up to four incredibly challenging Maine winters so far and looks like it did the day it was installed."

Want to get people knocking at your door? Read what other satisfied DaVinci customers have to say at Omaha Homeowners Embrace DaVinci Roofscapes.

Say "No" to Cookie Cutter Homes

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We're right in the middle of "Cookie Cutter Week." Although we're sure the person who developed this celebration was probably thinking of cutters made to create tasty treats, we think about it in a different way.

Polymer Roofing ProductsYou often hear about houses in a community or development being referred to as a "cookie cutter home" with all the same siding, trim, roof and other external elements. BORING! This trend started during the post-war housing boom in the 1940s when it was fast and easy for builders to create house-after-house the exact same way.

At DaVinci Roofscapes, we know it's important to put your personality into your home --- on both the inside and outside. That's why we say "no" to cookie cutter homes!

A few years back, one of our "Shake it Up" Exterior Color Contest entrants had the winning entry of "Trapped in Cookie Cutter Land." Brigitte Meehan begged for our help in breaking out of the "me too" aspect of living in her Illinois neighborhood where everyone had the same exterior. While she loved her floor plan, she wanted her home stand out.

We obliged Brigitte by recommending a new Multi-Width Slate roof from DaVinci in Brownstone --- a combination of medium and light brown, medium and dark tan and dark stone. That suggestion helped set the stage for other exterior changes! (See Illinois Homeowner Wins $5,000 in National DaVinci Roofscapes “Shake it Up” Exterior Color Contest)

If you find yourself trapped in your own cookie cutter land, take the leap and make some changes. We always suggest starting at the "top and going down" so that your colors and textures work together and flow. Need some help? Click HERE for a fast link to our free e-books and to ask one-on-one free advice of our color expert, Kate Smith!

 


From the Architect's Corner - a Helpful Tip

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A product's sample in the hand is about the best thing you can provide your clients when choosing colors for the exterior of their home. It is important to remember to take your samples outside and put them in the natural light. Be sure to leave them there for a day or two and view them in all different lights and shadows. This will allow you to have a better idea of what the color will look like once the products are installed.

Click here to read more FRESH tips for choosing exterior color from our Color Expert, Kate Smith.

 

Fake Cedar Shake

 

Happy Friday, Architects!

Roofer Tips for Winter Installations

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There's a definite chill in the air --- especially if you're several stories up installing a new roof!

This is the time of year for roofers to pay special attention to their work. Bundle up, watch your step so you don't slip on unseen moisture on the roof and make sure to work smart.

Here are some cold weather installation tips for working this winter with DaVinci Roofscapes products to take to heart:

Tip #1 - Store your tiles flat, in as warm an area as you can.

Tip #2 - Install your tiles flat. If they are not flat because of the way they've been stored or shipped, then take time to flatten them before installing.

Tip #3 - If you're installing Bellaforté tiles during cold weather, make sure the tabs are horizontal with the bottom of the tile. If they are not you should manually adjust them to get them in alignment.

Tip #4 - Cold weather can affect a pneumatic roofing nail gun. If you're using this tool make sure to reduce the pressure. And, if it's really cold outside and you're having difficulties with your air compressor, you should go back to hand nailing polymer roofing pieces in place.

Tip #5 - When cutting our DaVinci products in colder temperatures, it's better to score the lightweight roofing tiles with a straight blade and then break the tile along the score. You can also use a saw blade with smaller and finer teeth.

For more cold weather installation tips, see Bundle Up, Roofers! and Brrrrrisk Polymer Roofing Installations

 

**Snow guards should be considered in all geographic areas where accumulating snow fall is possible.**

Toronto Home Boasts Stylish Synthetic Slate Roof

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Sitting proudly within the High Park area in Toronto you'll find a unique home built with Victorian, French and Italianate architectural styles. Constructed in 1889 by a local architect, the historic home now belongs to Scot Steele.

"The 20+ year old black asphalt roof was showing signs of wear and it was time to make upgrades before the next winter," says Steele, an executive vice president with CBRE Limited, a real estate brokerage firm. "I sourced the DaVinci product through the Internet and had a great experience."

Steele hired Green Leaf Roofing to re-roof his historic home. "The look of slate was an obvious choice to complement this home's style," says Paolo Galloro, sales manager with Green Leaf Roofing. "Scot found the DaVinci Single-Width Slate tile had the best profile available in a synthetic roofing product.

"Our company has installed the DaVinci product in the past and we've found it installs easily, just like other roofing materials. We handle both residential and commercial roofs and can definitely see this product working on multiple projects in our area."

From Steele's perspective, he selected the Smokey Gray color to complement the red brick exterior of his 127-year-old home.

"I had roof cresting, otherwise known as finials, added to the top of the new roof line to truly reflect the historic nature of this home," says Steele. "I love the way the composite slate roof looks and have already recommended this roofing to others. People see it from the street and they can't believe it's not real slate!"

Where Did Your House Get Its Style?

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By Steven Randel, Houzz

One of the most common questions people have about their own home is, what style is it? This is not always an easy question to answer. "Style" is an elusive term, because it can be applied to many different things, and style is frequently an amalgamation of different features. Nevertheless, most homes have a link to an established fashion of architecture, defined by the overall form of the structure and/or its details. Also, it needs to be taken into account that many structures are created purely out of necessity with little regard to design aesthetic, and are considered to have a folk or vernacular style.

It can be said that a style is a definition after the fact rather than before or during. To label a unique building as it is being designed makes little sense. Time will tell if it holds up to replication and garners a following, thereby establishing a trend. But by far most houses have a rooted identity that has evolved to adapt to current living standards.

 

:
Isler Homes, original photo on Houzz

 

Styles and fashions of home design once were regional and changed slowly over time. Building techniques were dictated by the skill of local tradesmen, and materials came from nearby sources or were specified far in advance and patiently anticipated. Beginning with the building boom after World War II, modern building practices completely changed how and what we built.

Related: The Birth of Modern Architecture

The Disneyland effect took hold. Design was inspired by faraway places, and materials could be shipped by rail or truck and even flown to almost any place in the developed world. Out of this luxury of choice evolved a few persistent styles, which are pressing into the latest century with great affection. Here you can see five home styles that have roots in the past yet are firmly 21st-century dwellings with a strong sense of place and character.

1. French eclectic. Considered to be rooted in Renaissance classical architecture as opposed to ancient classical architecture, French eclectic style can be symmetrical, as with the home shown here, or asymmetrical. This particular house also has the feeling of a chateau with its use of stone, and of Beaux-Arts architecture with the detailed articulation of the facade. There is even a hint of Greek revival with its centered, gabled pediment. Though classical architecture is practically absent in modern commercial building, it shows no signs of giving up in the domestic arena.

 


Sicora Design/Build, original photo on Houzz

 

2. Shingle. With some reference to classical detailing, the shingle style began to appear under the Victorian umbrella of design in the late 19th century. It ironically stems from medieval architecture — that is, the period of building between the end of ancient classical and the beginning of Renaissance classical. Original shingle was a style before its time; shingle designs emphasized a more open floor plan, a feature so popular today. On this house there are also elements of stick style (note the gable over the entrance porch) and Tudor (note the steep roof formations and varying window shapes). Shingle style is currently very popular in the southeastern United States but can be found in all areas of the country.

 


Studio 1 Architects, original photo on Houzz

 

3. Prairie. Though authentic examples of this style are rare outside the Midwest, and although it was only briefly popular (1900 to 1920), it had a profound effect on vernacular suburban architecture for the rest of the 20th century. The long, low, horizontal lines and deep eaves along with hipped roofs can be found all across the United States in the more familiar ranch style. It is also uniquely an American creation and is considered a part of modern architecture and, more specifically, stems from the Arts and Crafts movement. As can be seen in this example, the detailing can be quite sophisticated and complex.

 


Rockefeller Partners Architects, original photo on Houzz

 

4. California contemporary. This coastal California design alludes to midcentury style along with vernacular modernism, hence its designation as contemporary; it also displays currently popular materials and building techniques. A strong affection for midcentury modern architecture, especially domestic, resurfaced at the turn of the 21st century.

Original examples date back to the 1930s, but the Case Study program in Southern California and developer Joseph Eichler in Northern California set the nation on a course of what most labeled, at the time, contemporary. Many houses were built with this influence until a reversal of taste in the 1980s led fashion back to historic revivals and even postmodernism, though the latter was rare in residential architecture. A strong relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces is evident in this example, along with walls of glass and the use of warm materials.

 


AR Design Studio Ltd, original photo on Houzz

 

5. International. This style is somewhat rare in the United States but can be found in many places around the world, such as this example in the United Kingdom. Born from the work of famous architects such as Mies van der Rohe and Le Corbusier prior to World War II, this style fell out of favor after the war in Europe but simultaneously strongly influenced the aforementioned mid-century modernism in the United States.

Structural transparency lies at the heart of this style, which can easily be identified by flat roofs, walls of glass and long planes of solid walls punctuated with openings. With the home shown, the landscape is defined by the extension of primary wall elements, while the upper level seems to float above the setting. Minimalism marks its identity, but closer inspection of these masterpieces often reveals intricate, thoughtful and careful detailing.

Featured Project - Des Moines, IA

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Des Moines, IA...just a hop, skip, and a 3 hour (200ish miles, give or take) drive North on I-35 from the DaVinci Roofscapes plant in Lenexa, Kansas. Did you know, that under the DaVinci recycling program, projects within a 500 mile radius can send their scraps back here - FOR FREE - and we will recycle them? When we receive tiles for recycling, we grind them up and use the re-grind to make starter tiles (the layer that goes on a roof right above the gutter, but under the first course of tiles). To find out more on the packaging and shipping of your scrap material, contact your local Sales Support Representative.

This project was recently installed in Des Moines by loyal DaVinci contractor VanWeelden Company, also out of Des Moines. For their roof, the homeowner chose Bellaforte Slate in the European Blend. If you're interested in learning more about DaVinci polymer roof tiles and you're located in the Des Moines area, VanWeelden company is knowledgeable on DaVinci and offers free roofing estimates!

VanWeelden Company
515-979-4772
www.bradvanweelden.com
 

 

 

 

 

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