AskARoofer

Going blonde with confidence

Going blonde with confidence
August 11, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

By DaVinci Roofscapes.

Choosing a roofing manufacturer that supports you.

Andrew Easter was tired of his asphalt roof. It had not worn out… he was worn out of looking at it. He shared, “I was no longer happy with the aesthetic aspect of my asphalt roof and was interested in bringing back the look of cedar shingles that the house originally had. I decided the sooner I made the change, the longer I could enjoy the new roof. And, knowing that I’d be using a synthetic shingle ensured this would be the last roof I’d ever put on my home.”

One-on-one support starts the sale

Andrew has worked in construction for his entire career. He already knew DaVinci® Roofscapes composite roofing products had a strong reputation. Still, he did his homework. He researched DaVinci and other synthetic shingle manufacturers online. His first step was simple. He requested free product samples through the DaVinci website. That connected him with Inside Sales Project Specialist Jessica Baumli.

“I worked with Andrew as he asked for different samples and local installation sites he could visit to see the product installed,” says Jessica. “He was leaning toward our Black Oak color, but was concerned it was too dark. That’s when he expressed interest in using our ‘Ask Our Color Expert’ consulting service.”

Color confidence makes a difference

By the time Jessica connected Andrew with color expert Kate Smith with Sensational Color, he had narrowed his choices to DaVinci Select Shake in Black Oak or Aged Cedar. He sought Kate’s expert perspective on how each color would work with the stonework on his home.

“Andrew was concerned the Black Oak might appear overly dark and monochromatic in certain lighting,” says Kate, who has been offering one-on-one color advise to DaVinci customers for the past 15 years. “While he appreciated Aged Cedar, he also wanted the fresh look of new cedar shingles. And, at one point, he was even looking at the option of DaVinci Multi-Width Slate in various colors.”

Kate focused on two fixed elements: the stonework and the black metal roof over the porch. Andrew planned to keep both. She validated his concern that Black Oak could be too dark. She also agreed that Aged Cedar would complement the exterior. Then one more color became the standout: Blonde Cedar.

According to Kate, “The warm blend of tan, beige and brown provides a striking contrast to the metal roof on Andrew’s home while harmonizing with the stonework.”

Going blonde — Blonde cedar, that is

Blonde Cedar is versatile. It works with both warm and cool palettes. It also gives a home a relaxed, cottage-style feeling that is both inviting and stylish. The hue adds subtle golden tones and creates a comfortable, sun-kissed cedar look that can lighten the entire exterior.

“I was somewhat torn between Blonde Cedar and Aged Cedar,” says Andrew. “What really drew me to Blonde Cedar was the close replication of actual new cedar, which I think looks beautiful… just like the cedar roof on the house originally. Plus, the Blonde Cedar contrasts well with the black metal low roofs and seems to really blend and complement the natural stone walls on the house.”

Success — Down to the blonde cedar roots!

For Andrew, the finished Cedar Blonde roof met his expectations. “Now that the roof is installed, I truly appreciate the color variations — not only from shingle to shingle, but within each individual shingle,” says Andrew. “I’ve also found that lighting has an impact on the appearance depending on the time of day and the differing conditions. This adds interest to the roof’s appearance.”

Choosing a manufacturer that supports the project

For Andrew, choosing the right roof color was a major part of the buying process. The manufacturer’s support made that process easier. He explained:

Part of my decision to go with DaVinci products was the support I received from them. I worked with Jessica for several months in advance of finalizing my decision. She was helpful in every way to make sure I had all the samples I needed and went over and above to make sure all of my specific concerns were addressed.

Then Kate was able to take a photo image I provided of my house and presented a summary narrative of each of the options I was considering. She made very helpful and insightful observations and comments on each color option. Kate knows the products and colors; she was thoughtful and thorough in her analysis. Getting her confirmation on some of my thoughts went a long way in giving me confidence in making a final color selection.

Finally, the overall durability of the DaVinci product and color stability are impressive. It’s very clear to me that DaVinci emphasizes a high level of quality control in manufacturing their products. The overall consistency of quality in field shingles, starter tiles, and hip and ridge shingles was perfect. Even the manner of packaging of the shingles for shipping reflected attention to quality control. This gives me a lot of confidence in their product.

Composite shake versus natural shake: What you need to know
 

Feature

Composite shake roofing

Natural ceder shake roofing

Benefit for of composite shake roofing

Appearance Engineered with deep grooves, grain patterns and color variation to replicate cedar shake. Authentic wood look that changes as it weathers. Homeowners can get cedar-style curb appeal with more predictable color and texture.
Maintenance Designed for lower maintenance and long-term performance. Requires ongoing inspections, cleaning and upkeep to manage moisture, moss, insects and aging.   Contractors can position composite shake as a worry-reducing upgrade for busy homeowners.  
Durability Resists common issues such as cracking, curling, splitting, rot and insect damage. Can rot, crack, curl and split over time, especially under moisture and weather stress. Composite shake can help reduce callbacks tied to natural material deterioration. Plus, homeowners don’t deal with pesky problems.  
Fire performance DaVinci roofing products are promoted with a Class A Fire Rating. Natural cedar can be vulnerable to fire unless regularly treated and maintained.   Fire performance can be a strong selling point in regions where homeowners are concerned about risk and insurance companies demand Class A fire resistant products.  
Impact and wind resistance DaVinci composite roofing is promoted with Class 4 impact resistance and strong wind ratings. Natural shake can be damaged by hail, wind uplift and storm-driven stress.   Performance ratings help contractors talk about storm resilience and long-term value, plus potential insurance savings.  
Color stability Manufactured with UV stabilizers and consistent color blends.        Natural cedar loses its fresh color as it ages and weathers.   Homeowners can choose a look they expect to enjoy for years, not just at install.  
Warranty and confidence Composite shake products may include long-term limited material warranties. Natural cedar may not offer the same material warranty confidence. Warranty support can make premium product conversations easier at the kitchen table. DaVinci offers a Lifetime Limited Material Warranty.

 

Learn more about DaVinci Roofscapes in their Coffee Shop Directory or visit www.davinciroofscapes.com.



Recommended For You


Comments

There are currently no comments here.

Leave a Reply

Commenting is only accessible to RCS users.

Have an account? Login to leave a comment!


Sign In
Westlake - Banner Ad - Design Canvas (AAR)
AskARoofer -  Ad - AAR Find a Roofing Consultant
Westlake -  Ad - Design Canvas (AAR)
MRA - AAR  Ad - Severe Weather Tropical
Tremco -  Ad - Is your rooftop safe?
TopShield (SRS) -  Ad - Ice & Water