Family means everything to Chris and Terry Neemann. So, when their sons decided to join the family roofing business the couple was proud to rename their company from Neemann Roofing to Neemann & Sons, Inc.

"We're a family-owned business that appreciates living and working in the Lincoln, Nebraska area," says Chris Neemann. "Our sons --- Travis, Trevor and Trent --- all work alongside us to provide excellent customer service."

That focus on customer service has led the Neemann family to installing more than 50 DaVinci Roofscapes polymer roofs in the past eight years.

"Typically we're doing replacement wood shingle roofs that are failing due to old age or storm damage," says Neemann. "We've been very pleased with the DaVinci simulated shake shingles. Our customers love both the appearance of the Single-Width Shake tiles and the long-term warranty that comes with them."

Of the DaVinci re-roofing jobs the Neemanns have completed, a few stand out. "We worked with the DaVinci team to create a custom five-color blend of tiles that turned out beautifully for one home," says Neemann. "On another project, the team worked with us to create a Multi-Width Shake blend that perfectly matched the house. In one community alone we've done at least half a dozen reroofing projects with this durable material. Hail is definitely a problem in our area --- but once a roof has been replaced with the DaVinci product we know the problem has been eliminated."

According to Neemann, the consistent quality of the composite shake tiles from DaVinci isn't the only thing that has impressed her family. "We've had great customer service over the years that supports our projects and has helped build our business," says Neemann. "We're going to continue recommending DaVinci to our customers because we believe in the product and we've repeatedly seen that it makes a positive addition to homes."

The Neemann family aren't the only roofers to endorse shake roofing shingles from DaVinci. For more roofer insights, visit DaVinci Roofscapes Shake Up Log Cabins and Bellaforté Shake Roofs Top 207 Covington Creek Condos.

Situated right in the middle of the month, March 14th has many special occasions associated with this date. Did you know that it's National Potato Chip Day, Save a Spider Day and Learn About Butterflies Day?

March 14th is also International Ask a Question Day. That's a day we celebrate at DaVinci Roofscapes. Why? Because we have the answers! From knowledgeable customer service representatives to our technology experts, we've got the answers for your roofing questions!  (Meet one of our customer service team members at Katie Thoele: Celebrating A Decade of Customer Service at DaVinci Roofscapes)

Our tech support team members criss-cross the country providing hands-on assistance to roofers installing our synthetic shake and slate roofing materials. (Meet the tech team at Here When You Need Them --- the DaVinci Roofscapes Tech Team)

Back at our Kansas manufacturing facility, we have customer service and architectural support personnel who are ready to answer any of your questions. Whether you're trying to decide which composite roofing material is best for your home or you have a specific installation question, this team can help. And, if you're mentally "stuck" on what color(s) to select for your roof, we can call on our color expert, Kate Smith of Sensational Color, to work directly with you to choose the colors that work best for your home exterior.

So go ahead, call us. We're at 1-800-328-4624. And yes, we're ready to provide the answers to your questions!

PS --- want to see what other people ask us? Check out Five Top Homeowner Questions We Get at DaVinci Roofscapes!

By Bud Dietrich, Houzz

There are so many important functions for a roof. Though its primary purposes may be to shed water and protect us from the elements, a well thought-out roof does so much more. It can tether us to the landscape or let us soar up and away. And the best roofs can do both at the same time.

Roofs can also act as platforms and foils for chimneys and cupolas and weather vanes and all that other stuff we may have up there. And roofs can become terraces, lifting us above it all.

From the classic inverted "V" of a gable roof to the flat slab, roofs come in a variety of shapes and forms. The gable roof of the farmhouse relays a different story than the ground-hugging hip roof of the prairie style. And the seemingly non-existent roof of a modernist house tells us a different story altogether.

Hoedemaker Pfeiffer, original photo on Houzz

Some roofs both hug the land and reach for the sky. This roof aspires to what's above while, like a tent, it is tethered to the broad prairie. The absence of a shadow at the gable ends emphasizes the simple geometry of the roof shape. And the thin slit-like shed dormer is like an eye half open, not quite awake nor asleep.

Related: Store More in a Shed

Kenny Craft, original photo on Houzz

A simple roof shape can be powerful against all that sky. A minimum of detail in a monochromatic palette keeps us focused on the important stuff, just a simple yet powerful shape that reads all the more clearly against that crisp blue sky.

Helios Design Group, original photo on Houzz

A roof can be a platform for a cupola that illuminates the night sky. Whether cupola or chimneys or something else, these elements on the roof continue all that vertical movement, pushing our eye ever upward. Even the ubiquitous and often undersized weather vane can achieve the same effect.

Tracery Interiors, original photo on Houzz

Sometimes we hide the roof. Here the wall takes over and dominates, like in a Dutch streetscape. Even then, the wall reveals the shape of the roof behind it to continue that upward movement.

ZAK Architecture, original photo on Houzz

Sometimes we let the roof take over. We extend the roof beyond the walls and let the sun create deep shadows. And we emphasize the inverted "V" by making it a motif.

Related: Enhance Indoor-Outdoor Connections With Comfortable and Stylish Patio Furniture

Hanrahan Meyers Architects, original photo on Houzz

The flat, modernist roof keeps us anchored. Our spatial experience is all horizontal or Euclidean. It's as if the sky no longer matters.

We're better than ever. Really. Our plant operations have become so efficient at DaVinci Roofscapes that we dropped our product pricing in late 2016.

"When DaVinci started manufacturing synthetic roofing tiles about two decades ago they were considered specialty products," says Ray Rosewall, president and CEO for DaVinci Roofscapes. "Now, thanks to technological advancements our synthetic slate and shake tiles are seen more as 'main stream' products.

"This means we're very comfortable competing against products like slate, real cedar, high end asphalt and other materials. From an aesthetic, performance and cost standpoint synthetic roofing products are very competitive."

Using new molds at DaVinci (see DaVinci Roofscapes Applauds "American Made Matters Day") allowed us to enhance the look of all our slate profiles in 2016. The thicker, more authentic profiles accurately replicate the quarried look of slate at a cost less than natural slate. Thanks to recent price reductions, pricing for the company's Bellaforté Shake tiles falls below pricing of many real cedar shingles, but with the added benefit of resistance to fire, splitting, curling, mold and algae.

"Adding more workers and line equipment at our plant, along with other advances, have enabled us to leverage our operational efficiencies," says Rosewall. "The bottom line is that we're more efficient than ever before at making our quality synthetic roofing products and we've shared the saving to our distributors. It's our sincere hope that those price breaks are then passed on through the channel to roofers and homeowners."

When Holly Fanjoy comes up with a "honey do project list" for her husband, she's confident the tasks will get completed. Why? Because Rob Fanjoy used to be a contractor, and he loves to tackle projects at their Maine home.

After moving into their house several years ago, a project both Holly and Rob agreed should be added to "the list" was a new roof. The old asphalt shingle roof overhead was failing badly and most likely wouldn't make it through another Maine winter.

Based on his industry knowledge, Rob chose a composite slate roof from DaVinci Roofscapes and decided to install it himself.

“I’m a big supporter of man-made products that replicate Mother Nature but offer more long-term benefits than natural products,” says Fanjoy. “When researching our roofing options, we determined that the DaVinci synthetic tiles resist insects, fungus, algae, mold, cracking, fading and curling. And, they’re backed by a long term warranty that we can really depend on.”

Looking for a strong visual interest to accent the home, he and his wife selected the multi-width slate Vineyard blend, a combination of eight roofing colors that include dark and medium tan, light and medium gray, dark stone, light and dark violet, and dark amber.

According to Fanjoy, his first installation of synthetic slate tiles went extremely well. “I very much prefer working with these polymer tiles since they’re cleaner to handle and easier on your hands than asphalt shingles," says Fanjoy. "No dirty grit to scrape your knuckles or tar melting and sticking to everything. Cutting and nailing these synthetic tiles was also simple. A sharp utility knife and standard nail gun was all that was needed for this project.

 “Overall, I think from start-to-finish that this job went smoothly. We made the right decision and investment with this polymer roof, plus it gave me the opportunity to expand my installation experience. I’ve already recommended the DaVinci product to my neighbors and others who are considering new roofs.”

Brad VanWeelden knows roofs. For more than 20 years his team has installed roofing systems in homes throughout the Des Moines, Iowa area. So we asked Brad the key question on most homeowners' minds: How do you know when it's time to replace an existing roof?

"We get this question a lot," says VanWeelden. "Our first piece of advice is to have a qualified contractor inspect your roof to evaluate its current status and how much life may be left in it.

"Oftentimes homeowners are surprised to learn they do have some time left in their existing roof. That's when we suggest it's good to start looking at replacement roof options and working on a budget. The key is to get yourself educated and ready for a replacement project before there's a major leak and the issue turns into a crisis."

In Iowa, one of the recommendations Brad makes is to consider snow guards for a roof, especially with a synthetic roof. "Snow guards help keep ice and snow from falling on someone at an entrance or from the gutters getting dammed up during heavy winter weather," says VanWeelden.

As president of VanWeelden Co., Brad offers a variety of products and services to his customers. DaVinci Roofscapes is one of the products his team has installed when homeowners are looking for an affordable and good-looking alternative to real shake or slate roofs.

"Whether we're replacing a cedar shake roof or a natural slate roof in a historic district, DaVinci has a great product lineup," says VanWeelden. "We've installed about 10 projects with DaVinci now.

"We replaced a couple of wood cedar shake roofs last summer with Bellaforté Shake and they turned out great. For another home we replaced 100-year old natural slate with the authentic-looking DaVinci Slate. And, we're now finishing up a large project with Bellaforté Slate and copper gutters. These composite roofing tiles are a great investment for homeowners. We're seeing momentum swing toward the DaVinci product right now and with good reason ... these are durable synthetic roofing tiles that are a solid investment for any home."

Brad's not the only roofer who depends on composite shake and synthetic slate roofing products. For other perspectives, see Roofer Endorses DaVinci Roofscapes.

Think about the grand cathedrals and churches in Europe. Most of them have impressive structures and are rich with history.

You can discover that same grandeur at St. John's Cathedral in Denver. The Episcopal church in Colorado was established in 1911 and is on both the National Historic Register and is designated as a Denver Historic Landmark.

This distinctive church now has new DaVinci Single-Width Slate roofs overhead. Yes, roofs. There are three distinctive buildings, so it was determined to use European - VariBlend on Roberts Hall to replace damaged slate and Canyon - VariBlend on the Parish Hall to replace older clay tiles. A Slate Gray - VariBlend was used on the main cathedral. The results are magnificent.

"In our bidding process DaVinci was presented as an option by all the bidding companies," says Judy Allison, director of facilities at St. John's Cathedral. "Frankly, we chose DaVinci polymer roofing because it was one of a very few products that were on a pre-approved materials list issued by the Denver Historic Landmark Preservation Commission. This commission must approve any exterior changes for a structure before a building permit can be issued."

The four-month installation process was completed by Horn Brothers Roofing in Denver, a company that has completed more than 80 DaVinci composite roofing projects in the past, including other churches.

"This was a massive undertaking," says Mark McMillan with Horn Brothers Roofing. "Because this is a historic landmark there are many requirements we had to meet. One of the biggest challenges came when we re-roofed the turret. We had to engineer a pie formulation for application to meet the requirements. This was an exacting process that assured the structure would still maintain its landmark status."

Now finished, the roofing on the historic church compound has an old world look with all the advances that science and technology have to offer. According to church members, the roof complements their building structures while providing protection from severe weather.

To learn more about how DaVinci composite slate roof and shake roofing products are used on churches, see Praying for a New DaVinci Roofand Custom Roof Color Answers Church's Prayers.

Would you want to live on the California coast? Sure there's great weather and tremendous views, but there's also serious weather conditions to contend with on a regular basis.

Consider the salt air, sea spray and winds that whip up against coastal homes. Then there's the unrelenting ultraviolet rays from the sun. And, to cause even more worries, there's the threat of wildfire spread during various times of the year. All of these elements can combine to cause headaches for coastal homeowners.

Architectural West magazine recently ran an article on how polymer roofing meets the heavy demands Mother Nature places on homes along the California coast.  We're sharing that article with you (click HERE) so you can learn more about how DaVinci Roofscapes synthetic shake and slate shingles stand up to Mother Nature --- and win!

Hundreds of home inspectors flock to Boulder, Colo. each year to train at the "House of Horrors."

Sponsored by the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI), the House of Horrors is designed with a wide variety of home systems (most of which are operable) that have 1,000 defects built in. The goal is to provide students with a chance to improve their skills by learning how to recognize home system defects and safety issues and ultimately, to become better home inspectors.

The "real home" is designed with multiple stations, including a roof systems area featuring 11 different roofing products such as asphalt shingles, stone slate, clay and concrete tiles, wood shakes and shingles, and rubber. Plus, there's a section on composite roofing, with product samples provided by DaVinci Roofscapes.

"Our goal in this section is to teach students to recognize proper installation of roofing materials, including underlayment, flashing and primary roof coverings," says Kenton Shepard, director of international development for InterNACHI.  "We want these inspectors-in-training to recognize common defects and understand the lifecycle of roofing products, their failing points and other key factors on the roof. Plus, with more durable products like synthetic slate and shake roofing, we want them to understand the benefits of low-maintenance roofing products.

"So far, the main reaction our students have had to the DaVinci roofing is curiosity. Some students have never seen polymer roofing before. They're interested in how this type of roofing product ages and what installation looks like for composite roofing."

The InterNACHI school offers world-class, accredited inspection training. The House of Horrors will have about 500 people visit each year who are advancing their inspection knowledge and skills. And, if you're visiting the Boulder area, make plans to stop by and visit the House of Horrors---it's open to everyone!

When Roofing Consultants, Ltd. was brought in to make recommendations on improving the building envelope of Donges Bay Elementary School, one of their first thoughts was the roofing. The school, which houses 460 students, needed the replacement of both flat and mansard roofing.

"The mansard application was old cedar shakes, many of which were well past their prime," says Eric Raatz, senior consultant with Roofing Consultants, Ltd. "Some of the cedar shakes were starting to curl. Water had run down this siding-type application for years, so there was also organic growth on the shakes. Overall, it was clear that improvements were needed."

For the very visible mansard tile shake application at the Mequon, Wisc. school, the team at Roofing Consultants, Ltd. decided to specify multi-width composite shake tiles from DaVinci Roofscapes.

"We felt that a synthetic shake would last longer than natural shake and have some advantages for this application," says Raatz. "Our team compared several types of synthetic shake tiles and the DaVinci product was remarkable.

"We were especially impressed by the fire rating of the product and the algae resistance. We took a torch gun to several products and the DaVinci tiles held up incredibly well. Add to that the authentic look of the simulated cedar shakes was great and the 50-year warranty was appealing for everyone involved."

With five locations throughout the Midwest, Roofing Consultants, Ltd. offers engineering, architectural and building envelope specialists to support commercial projects. The licensed engineering firm includes many staff members who have earned credentials through RCI Inc., the Roofing, Waterproofing and Building Envelope Institute.

Raatz and his team specified EPDM (ethylene propylene dienete polymer) for the flat section of the roof for its durability. The synthetic rubber roofing membrane, which is unseen from the ground, served the needs of the project. For the more visible aspects of the school's mansard roof, white sheet metal trim was added to accent the rich deep color of the DaVinci Tahoe Blend shake tiles.

"The finished product is tremendous," says Raatz. "The look is great and we enhanced the durability of these synthetic shakes by going a step 'above and beyond' by recommending that ring shank stainless steel nails were used. This roofing application will last for decades!"

Before:   :After

Located in a rural area of Nebraska, St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church has always been subject to harsh weather conditions. The original church structure, plus the parsonage, barn and out building, were all constructed in 1880 and then destroyed by a tornado in 1899. Within the same year the congregation raised funds and rebuilt the church properties.

Over the years other storms attacked the church, but when the 2014 severe weather hit, the results were dramatic. "There was no question we needed full replacements on our roof, windows and siding," says Gene Hansen, a member of the St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church. "Before the storm, some cedar shake shingles were starting to blow off and were weathering badly. The storm just ripped through two layers of those shakes that had been in place for decades.  And, the fellowship hall roof was totally destroyed in the storm. We had no other option than to replace the roofs."

When contractor Nick Paschke recommended Bellaforté Shake tiles from DaVinci, several church members took hammers to the roofing tile samples, to assure themselves that the impact-resistant material would not be dented by future hail storms.

"I was impressed by the quality, durability and selection of the DaVinci composite shake roofing," says Hansen. "Once we discovered the company could create a custom color red for the shingles, that truly sealed the deal."

Convinced of the durability of the product, peace-of-mind prevailed. Now the church and fellowship hall once again have their signature red roofs overhead and contented parishioners below.  

Learn more about DaVinci Roofscapes polymer roofing on historic church projects at Historic Church Gets High-Tech Polymer Roofand DaVinci Roofs: An Answer to Many Prayers.   

This year the AIA's national Conference on Architecture is meeting in sunny Orlando! We'd like to invite you to stop by booth #2132 in the exhibit hall and see what's new at DaVinci Roofscapes! This year we have some new collateral showcasing our polymer slate and shake tiles on different commercial, multi-family living, educational, retail, and historic projects. Also, with our focus always being on sustainable design, we will have samples of our new, darker EcoBlend slate and shake roof tiles, all of which meet Title 24 compliancy for cool roofs.

We can't wait to see you there! Get your free expo pass here!

Call it "The Roofing Struggle." When homeowners are set on the look of real cedar shakes, but common sense pulls them back to reality. Why? Because while beautiful, a real cedar shake roof requires an extreme amount of upkeep. Plus, over time true cedar shakes can split, curl and attract insects or algae growth.

Now flip the coin. The other side of the story is that homeowners can gain all the charm of shake by investing in synthetic shake shingles. Made of virgin polymers with built-in UV inhibitors to ensure long-lasting color, polymer shakes perform better than real wood and require no ongoing maintenance.

At DaVinci Roofscapes, we're making it easy for you to compare real cedar versus synthetic shake roofing. The video displayed HERE, which features Allen Lyle of Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, provides a comprehensive comparison between our composite shake products and real shake. Take a minute to watch the video to learn more about alternative shake roofing!

And, for more details on shake roofing, see Simulated Shake Roofing Without the Hassles of Real Cedar Roofing and Real Cedar Shingles ... Worth the Hassles?

If you're starting to research new roof options and you've found this blog site, then you know that we have many testimonials and insights from roofers and contractors. You may have even read some of our stories related to residential projects.  Now we invite you to "ask a homeowner" how they feel about our polymer roofing materials.

From our years of experience answering calls in customer service and dealing with questions from homeowners, we have a pretty good idea what questions you'd like to ask.  So, here are some top questions, with answers supplied by homeowners who have chosen to use our simulated slate or synthetic shake roofing materials.

Q: How did you discover DaVinci polymer roofing products?

A: We did what most homeowners do when searching for product options --- we turned to the Internet. After searching for faux slate shingles, we found that many companies produced these products, but our research showed that most of them warp over time. We discovered that only the slate tiles produced by DaVinci Roofscapes are uniquely designed to resist warping, fading, curling and cracking. And, these polymer tiles are fire and impact resistant, so we never have to worry about how our intense Texas heat or hail storms will affect them.

          - Kathy Telecky, Dallas, Texas

Q: DaVinci products cost more than asphalt shingles. What made you invest in composite roofing?

A: The more I learned about the synthetic DaVinci roofing tiles, the more I liked them. As with most people, I had a budget. The cost of a synthetic slate roof from DaVinci was much more affordable than using real slate. The product perfectly complements the stone, brick and stucco features of our home. As an added benefit, the product comes with a lifetime limited warranty warranty. Even if the costs were equal, I’d still choose this DaVinci product because of all the inherent benefits of synthetic roofing tiles.

          - John Mastronardo, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Q: There are so many colors to choose from. How did you decide?

A: We wanted a roof with some interest to it, not just one tedious color. The subtleness of the colors we selected (including Slate Black and Slate Gray with highlight colors mixed in of Light Green and Dark Green) blended well together. We liked the blend of the roof colors so much that they inspired us to select exterior siding and accent colors to complement it.

          - Dr. Mike Boone, Cayucos, California

Q: How was the DaVinci team to work with?

A: The product testing and manufacturing processes were very impressive at DaVinci. Their customer service was also outstanding and we developed a great confidence in the team.

          - Ray Knoff, Des Moines, Iowa

Q: We have an older roof that we're trying to replace and add more color. How did DaVinci help you in a similar situation?

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

          - Nancy Dye, Roanoke, Virginia

Believe it or not, life in paradise has its down side. If you're a homeowner, the constant salt air, strong winds and sea spray can all play havoc with your home. Those coastal elements make selecting low maintenance exterior products a critical decision for oceanfront residents.

"Ten years ago we had to replace the granular bitumen coated steel tile roof on our Maui home," says Robin Vivian. "Because we're so close to the ocean, the steel roof had major corrosion resulting in perforation in many spots. (see picture to the right)

"We needed an aesthetically-appealing roof that would stand up to Mother Nature. We followed the recommendation of someone who knew about DaVinci Roofscapes and we've been exceptionally pleased with the results. We've never had to worry about the roof and it looks as good today as when it was installed a decade ago."

Vivian's seven-bedroom, five-bath home in Maui (plus an Ohana cottage with three bedrooms and two bathrooms) is currently on the market. The 30-year-old home features 25 solar panels on the roof that fully power the property plus two solar hot water panels on the garage portion of the roof. More than 5,800 square feet of living space enjoy oceanfront views plus access to a swimming pool.

According to Rhonda Smith-Sanchez, the realtor tasked with listing the picturesque Vivian property, having a DaVinci roof is a key selling point for the home.

"Outside of the 280-degree premiere ocean view this property frames, the roof could be the next most valuable item a buyer considers," says Smith-Sanchez with Coldwell Banker Maui. "This roof looks fantastic after 10 years of service. It's strong and exudes confidence to a buyer when making a major purchase such as this. Buyers don't want to be faced with --- or even have the slightest concern --- that a major reroofing project may be needed in the next five years."

Smith-Sanchez promotes the Vivian home as being designed with salt-resistant materials to capture the "ease of lifestyle" that people in Hawaii wish to achieve. "All homes along our shore line on Maui have to consider using products that can endure salt, wind and sun --- lots of sun," says Smith-Sanchez. "Stucco seems to be used the most prominently for exteriors with the next option being stucco with teak exposed beams.

"I make a point of educating buyers who may not be familiar with the Vivian's composite multi-width slate roof about its benefits. The DaVinci roof is truly a common-sense roof for our geographic area that looks beautiful while also providing exceptional features."

(Above Left: Original DaVinci Install 10 years ago, Above Right: DaVinci Install Today)

You don't have to live in Hawaii to appreciate the benefits of manufactured slate and composite shake roofing systems. Learn how DaVinci products stand up to Mother Nature at Swapping Out: Choosing Synthetic Slate Tiles Over Real Slate Roof. 

Thinking of getting a new roof? Have we got a deal for you --- and it doesn't cost a cent!

Last year, DaVinci Roofscapes teamed up with the experts at This Old House magazine to create an easy-to-understand and comprehensive online guide called "Upgrade Your Roof: The Complete Guide to Synthetic Slates and Shakes."

Click HEREto download this free online guide that walks you through everything you need to consider when a new roof is in your future.

The experts and DaVinci and This Old House combined their experience to offer you everything you need to know when considering composite roofing, including:           

            - Comparing synthetic roofing to other types of roofing

            - How polymer tiles are made

            - What goes under your roofing tiles

            - Cost comparisons

            - Key factors of different types of roofing

            - Choosing the perfect slate or shake products for your home

Whether for your new home or old house, this one-stop online guide should be your first stop when considering a roof replacement!

Builder Cory Taylor, owner of CT Construction, Inc. out of Manhattan Montana, is known for the way in which he balances the many aspects of his home design to achieve a masterpiece. Included in his many accomplishments is the 6,000-square-foot home that he featured in the 2016 Parade of Homes, sponsored by Southwest Montana Building Industry Association. The expansive rustic-style home in Bozeman features hand-hewn log accents, natural stone fireplaces, and remarkable finishes. 

Taylor’s team is very meticulous in the way they choose the products that make up their finished project.  When it came to topping off this specific home, he said, “we selected Bellaforté Shake by DaVinci Roofscapes, in particular because they mimic the weathered cedar shake which complements the rustic style we were after on this home. These synthetic shake tiles have a great look to them.”

According to Taylor, he plans on using DaVinci composite roofing in the future on other homes in his area. "While this type of roof can cost a bit more than other roofs, it’s definitely worth it," says Taylor. "The cedar-shake look coupled with the low maintenance aspects and lifetime limited warranty will be very appealing to homebuyers in our area.”

Thanks to the CT Construction team, the homeowners now have a remarkable home with a DaVinci roof overhead to top it off with style and an unfaltering product.

Want to know what other builders think of our cedar shake roofing and imitation slate shingles? Then read Architect and Builder Team Up on Simulated Slate Roofing Projectand Roofer Recommends DaVinci Polymer Roofs for High-End Homes.

When Phyllis Hoffman DePiano "knocked on our door" at DaVinci Roofscapes, we eagerly opened that door.

DePiano, Chairman of the Board and CEO for Hoffman Media, oversees the operations of many popular magazines, including Southern Home, Cottage Journal, Southern Lady Holiday, Victoria and Taste of the South. Her call to us was to partner up on a renovation project of an outdated 1970s "modern" home ... upgrading it to a traditional English style home.

Later this year several of the magazines in the Hoffman Media family will feature in-depth stories on the transformation of this home ... but we're giving you a sneak peak at the exterior progress. The stunning stone facade and wood accent home exterior is now being topped with a Bellaforté Slate roof in Smokey Gray-VariBlend.

"We wanted a durable, yet aesthetically-pleasing roof on this mountain house," says DePiano. "There are so many aspects that make the DaVinci product ideal for this English Country Manor Home. The synthetic slate tiles are impact- and fire-resistant, plus they'll require no long-term maintenance. But, most importantly, they so closely resemble natural slate that they perfectly complement the style of this home."

DePiano says the intent of the project is to create a new energy efficient home that has the look of a home hundreds of years old --- but with advancements only available in today's marketplace. "Imagine the tremendous weight of a natural slate roof plus all the time and hassles it takes to install one," says DePiano. "The DaVinci faux slate roof is lightweight, easy to install and has all the appeal of natural slate. We picked a winner!"

Watch for the story on the entire home reconstruction in an upcoming issue of Southern Home magazine ... and we'll share more story highlights with you soon.

Saving rainwater isn't just about reducing water bills. It's about conserving natural resources. With so much water coming out of the sky during the first part of this year, now is the ideal time to consider harvesting rainwater from roofs.

"West Coast areas that are normally dry have seen incredible rainfall amounts so far in 2017," says Tim Gentry, vice president of technical services at DaVinci Roofscapes®. "The Sacramento area was drowning in more than 17 inches of rain during the first two months of the year. Imagine the potential for saving that rainwater for use later during the dry season."

Gentry points out that collected rainwater can be used for a variety of home tasks, including washing cars, watering plants and cleaning. "Water harvesting is an easy, positive way to help the environment. As rainwater slides off a polymer, metal, ceramic or real slate sloping roof into collection barrels, it's safe for secondary uses like garden irrigation, doing laundry or flushing a toilet."

According to Gentry, if enough people implemented rainwater harvesting techniques at home, it could help reduce demand on existing water supply in their areas.

"Look at a city like Macon, Georgia," says Gentry. "They had 6.6 inches of rain in the first two days of 2017. That amount broke all kinds of records. If people had harvested even a portion of that water, then it would have helped reduce run-off and erosion. The community could use the saved water for everything from fire protection services to filling outdoor public pools.

"Whether collected in barrels or through pipes going directly into cisterns for use and storage, gathered rainwater can make a big impact. According to RainBarrelGuide.com, for every inch of rain that falls on a 'catchment area' of 1,000 square feet, approximately 600 gallons of rainwater can be collected. Now remember that Macon received 6.6 inches of rain. That number means there was a potential to save almost 4,000 gallons of water! That's quite a strong contribution to the water supply for a homeowner."

Looking for more information on rainwater collection and green roofing options? SeeFrom the Architect's Corner - Harvesting Rainwaterand Collect Your "April Showers".

By Becky Harris, Houzz

So you love the schools, the neighborhood and the yard, but when you pull up to your house, you don’t like the way it looks. But there are aspects of it that you do like, and you can’t bear the thought of tearing it down. Often a better solution is a major makeover. It’s hard to believe that some of these houses are remodels; in one case, even the tax assessor had to be convinced.Related: See More Exterior Makeovers

sensitive design inc., original photo on Houzz

1. Contemporary Redo Solves Design Problems

BEFORE: Not much about this facade made sense. An awkward pediment seems randomly placed. To the right, a garage had been finished into a room that threw off the proportions. And there’s an odd, unbalanced half-hexagon portion off to the left.

Due to setback requirements related to a nearby stream, a complete rebuild here was not an option. Instead, designer Susanne Doise worked with what she had and was able to add a small addition to this dated split-level home.

sensitive design inc., original photo on Houzz

AFTER: At first, the clients thought they wanted a more traditional house, but once they saw the opportunities a more contemporary style offered, they were on board.

Working within tight setback restrictions, height restrictions and square footage maximums, Doise came up with a scheme for much more pleasing architecture. She designed a new roofline that incorporated a shed roof and a pop-up roof that allowed for higher ceilings and let more light inside. She squared off the awkward half-hexagon and brought back the garage, with an attractive frosted-glass-paneled garage-style door that’s a design asset. She replaced the vinyl siding with fiber cement panels The roof is corrugated metal. And new aluminum-clad windows let in loads of natural light.

She also gave the home inviting curb appeal thanks to a new concrete staircase with integrated planters and lights, a new glass-paneled front door with a generous sidelight and transom, and a new lighting scheme.

Carpenter & MacNeille, original photo on Houzz

2. Suitable Style for a Former Foursquare

BEFORE: Originally an American Foursquare built in the 1800s, this home’s style had become a hodgepodge of confusing historical elements due to additions and renovations over the years. The architects at Carpenter & MacNeille knew that the Colonial touches were not in keeping with the more simple Craftsman homes in the area built during the era.

Carpenter & MacNeille, original photo on Houzz

AFTER: The remodel included new siding that’s narrower on the second floor than on the first floor, a new patio that leads to the front door and a new front porch with a balustrade atop it. A new garage with a mudroom entry and game room over it was also part of the renovations.

The confusing Colonial details, such as the pediment and shutters that were added over the years, are history. “We jazzed up a simple house with great, period-appropriate architectural details,” interior designer Wendy LeStage Hodgson reported to Houzz contributor Mary Jo Bowling.

Before Photo, original photo on Houzz

3. Desperately in Need of Proper Proportions

BEFORE: This house with the giant mansard roof was notorious for being an ugly duckling along the beach on Camano Island, Washington. While the floor plan inside worked well, a lack of windows made the interior dark.

Dan Nelson, Designs Northwest Architects, original photo on Houzz

AFTER: Even the tax assessor had a hard time believing it was a remodel and not a tear-down situation, according to the architect, Dan Nelson. But the bulk of the renovations were a major exterior face-lift.

Before, the oversized mansard roof looked like it was pushing the house into the ground. Now, a new scheme that mixes corrugated charcoal-gray metal and Western red cedar shingles provides a pleasing balance. Boxing out the center and adding an arbor gave the house dimension. Large windows open up the facade and let in the light.

The front door is in the exact same spot but is highlighted by a new porch framed by an arbor. A modern garage door plays off the charcoal corrugated metal, and its panels play off the windows.

Rafe Churchill: Traditional Houses, original photo on Houzz

4. Restoring Historic Farmhouse Charm

BEFORE: This historic farmhouse in Sharon, Connecticut, untouched since the 1940s, was in need of some love. The homeowners wanted to find buyers who would preserve the historic architecture. Interior designer Heide Hendricks and her husband, architect Rafe Churchill, were excited by the home’s potential and bought it for themselves. This is the back of the house; you can make out where an awkward addition had been removed.

Rafe Churchill: Traditional Houses, original photo on Houzz

AFTER: As a historic restoration, this is not a radical change, but it’s still quite a surprise. The couple kept the footprint almost the same but added a back porch and mudroom where the addition had been, as well as a new shed and a new fence.

Beckwith Group, original photo on Houzz

5. Going Greek (Revival)

BEFORE: This next makeover is one of the most dramatic ones we’ve seen on Houzz. Architect Dave Beckwith transformed a 1970s mock Tudor to the Greek Revival style popular in Duchess County, New York.

Beckwith Group, original photo on Houzz

AFTER: Believe it or not, only porches and two 2-foot-wide additions along the front and back of the house expand the footprint of the home. The first floor was extended out to be flush with the overhangs you see in the “before” photos.

When you see the lovely setting around the house, you can see why the owners wanted to work with what they had. The home’s proportions, classical columns, windows, pronounced entablature and portico are all elements of Greek Revival style.

Beckwith Group, original photo on Houzz

BEFORE: The back of the house lacked aesthetic appeal.

Beckwith Group, original photo on Houzz

AFTER: Now, gracious porches on both sides and along the back add inviting style and provide plenty of comfortable covered space to enjoy the views.