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               DaVinci Slate + Shakes       DaVinci photos        Symphony Slate         Distinctions Composite Slate  

 Lamarite Slate and Shake       Rubber Roofing

We love the look and architectural style of the historical and authentic roofing products. But fire resistance is far more important than than natural look of cedar shingles and shakes. The ability of a structure to hold up heavy weight slate, concrete, and clay roofing far outweighs the importance of its natural appeal. And the ability to walk on many roofs will also outweigh the advantages of using real slate, real concrete tiles , or clay tiles.

This being said, the largest growing residential roofing product category in North America is the proliferation of new styles and materials imitating the real wood and real slate roofing. Of these the greatest number of new offerings are from the plastics, polymer modified, synthetics, and rubber roofing producers.

With the advancements in plastics technology, and their industry's new Ultra-Violet inhibiting ingredients, the plastic injection mold industry is fast becoming a force to be reckoned with. Although not as inexpensive as real concrete tiles, they are lighter, usually more walk-able, and look closer to the real slate than "Slate Tiles" can accomplish.

To really mimic the Parisian and French Country slates which are uniform and traditional looking, Symphony Slates does a superior job with their new polymer slates. Symphony Slate roofing slates are eco-friendly, using recycled material in the production of their product while not sacrificing durabilty. They are considered green roofing, and eventually will be 100% recyclable when the roof is finally in need in replacing again. These authentic looking simulated slates are many designers dream material for creating ultimate curb appeal on their proud architectural creations with roofing that looks like the real deal, with none of the headaches associated with real slate.

For other designers, the biggest hang-up with plastic slates has been the uniformity or lack of thickness to date. But new manufacturers such as DaVinci Roofscapes have invented wonderfully thick, well textured, natural looking slates which contain both colour blends and a variety of sizes of widths pre-packaged and ready for the roofer to install. You'll have to look real close to realize that it may not be real slate.

In many ways it actually looks better with the random sizes, and thicker texture. Most especially, it takes away the similarity in looks to asphalt and composition shingles, that many plastic slates often appear to imitate.

Why use real slate with its fragile nature, its heavy weight, its expensive copper or stainless steel flashings and fasteners, and especially its ridiculously expensive materials and installations, when synthetic slates duplicate the elegance and real architectural value of the real thing, with none of the usual problems.

DaVinci Slate, like all the synthetics and rubber solutions, are more expensive than cedar shakes and concrete roof tiles, but with a 50 year warranty and low maintenance, they will pay off in the long run. Plus the look of the roof will stay new for years and years where concrete and wood shakes appear aged very quickly in our west-coast climate. After ten years has passed the investment in Davinci Slate is most noticeable, as the wood shakes or wood shingles would already seem ready for replacement. Wood is considered fully depreciated after only ten years on the roof, yet Davinci would have decades of performance ahead still... with a warranty too.

Distinctions Composite Slate looks like natural thick slate, but is very lightweight, and has none of the installation or weight challenges or real slate. It is an advanced composite material that has a high end appearance, long term performance, very lightweight at 2.4 pounds per square foot (especially for its thickness), and it is very fast and easy to install.

The use of recycled materials makes Distinctions a sustainable roofing product and an environmentally friendly choice.

Distinctions uses 52% recycled materials in its production, more than any other manufacturer that we are currently aware of in the roofing industry. And in the future this roofing material, when it eventually requires replacement, it will be 100%     re-cycleable.

This Composite Slate has been installed on roofs in North America for more than 7 years now, so the real performance history of this material has been proven. Distinctions also comes in a tile look format as well, and both types carry a warranty of 50 years which is backed by the strength of the parent company Diversi-Plast, a multi-billion sales conglomerate.

Another synthetic roofing material is Lamarite Slate and Lamarite Shake. Made by Tamko Roofing, an Asphalt Roofing Manufacturer, Lamarite is a composite slates and shakes material. They come in 3 widths each of which is just over 1/4" thick x 18" long and are installed at 8" maximum exposure.

Lamarite is not warranted in Canada or Alaska, by choice of Tamko Roofing. We currently believe more due diligence is needed prior to selecting this product for Northern US states or equivalent climates as a result. Tamko must have some reason for concern for Lamarite roofing to not be used in northern regions.

Although not as thick as DaVinci or Distinctions, and without the multiple widths and colour blends of DaVinci, the Lamarite Shakes and Slates may appeal to those looking for a wood like or thin slate appeal.

Come on by and see our showroom to view all the latest styles and choices for roofing.