Inspire® Slate: Guide and color inspiration

By Kate Smith, DaVinci Roofscapes color expert.

Whether you love classic neutrals or are ready to make a statement with color, Inspire Slate gives you the freedom to create an exterior that reflects your personal style.

When homeowners envision their new roof, they often picture classic slate. Inspire® Slate by DaVinci provides that timeless look—without the heavy weight, fragility or high cost associated with traditional slate. It is an innovative roofing solution that has the natural appearance of weathered slate. Inspire® Slate also delivers modern performance and energy efficiency, potentially reducing a home's energy consumption.

Why Inspire Slate stands out

Inspire Slate mimics natural slate with remarkable detail, featuring textured surfaces and deckled edges. These lightweight, single-width tiles are only 1/4 inch thick, yet they provide exceptional durability and protection.

Key benefits:

• Authentic appearance: Modeled from natural slate, Inspire Slate has the fine detailing that captures the weathered look of a historic roof
• Lightweight design: It's significantly lighter than natural slate, reducing structural load requirements
• Superior durability: It resists mold, algae, fire, pests, impact, freeze-thaw cycles and salt air
• Easy installation: The single-width tiles are easily cut with a utility knife and arrive in pre-sorted bundles
• Class 4 hail rating: The industry-leading impact resistant tiles stand up to hail
• Wind resistance: Inspire Slate is tested to withstand winds up to 110 mph with the unique Dual-Axis InFlex Cambered profile and has passed the Florida Building Code and is Miami-Dade Approved.
• Limited lifetime warranty: Long-term protection for your investment

Inspiring the perfect color palette for your home

With 20 colors and color blends available — or the option to create custom blends using up to five colors — Inspire Slate offers limitless design possibilities. Here are expert-approved color combinations to inspire your exterior transformation:

Classic elegance with Ash Grey   

Ash Grey is an excellent choice for homes with all or partial white brick exteriors. Create a sophisticated palette by pairing Ash Grey Inspire Slate with off-white paint and gray trim. Add personality and warmth with a buttery yellow door that provides a sunny, welcoming focal point.

Monochromatic sophistication

For a cohesive, designer look, pair DaVinci Hand-Split Shake Siding with Steel Grey Inspire Slate roofing. This monochromatic palette creates a gorgeous foundation that gives you carte blanche to introduce your favorite accent color — whether it's a bold front door of Blue Danube, colorful shutters or vibrant landscaping.

Contemporary charm with Sage

Move beyond basic black and gray with Sage Green, one of DaVinci's most elegant toned-down shades. This sophisticated color doesn't shout "green" but offers subtle personality perfect for many architectural styles. When paired with neutrals, Sage Green in the Inspire Slate product line creates a clean, contemporary aesthetic with character that's highly desirable in today's real estate market.

Timeless stone and slate combination

Natural slate and stone are timeless materials and combining them elevates both even further. Start by choosing a neutral roof color that blends with your stone, like Brandywine in Inspire Slate. Next, select accent colors that enhance the beauty of both the slate roofing and stonework to create a scheme that feels both sophisticated and organic.

Traditional warmth with Chestnut

Chestnut Brown in the Inspire Slate product line paired with warm red brick creates an inviting traditional scheme. Complete the look with Earthy Ocher accents for a welcoming exterior that celebrates classic American architecture with warmth and character.

Old-world inspiration with Nottingham

Allow the Old-World style of Inspire Slate in the Nottingham blend to stimulate your entire exterior palette. A classic mix of color provides the perfect foundation for a timeless look that feels both historic and perfectly suited for today's homes.

Design flexibility for any style

Whether your home is Colonial, Craftsman, Contemporary or Tudor, Inspire Slate's extensive color range ensures you'll find the perfect match. The premium multi-color blends add richness and natural-looking variation, giving Inspire Slate the authentic appearance of aged slate.

And, if you’re looking to “cool off” your roof, know that some Inspire Slate colors come in Cool Roof colors that reflect the sun more efficiently than traditional roofing materials. Certified by the Cool Roof Rating Council, these premium colors can help reduce cooling costs while maintaining the classic aesthetic of traditional slate on your home.

Making your color selection

While DaVinci provides excellent digital representations of their color options, it's essential to view actual shingle samples before making your final selection. Colors can appear different depending on lighting conditions, the surrounding landscape and adjacent materials.

Contact a DaVinci Project Specialist to request samples and receive expert guidance on selecting the perfect color combination for your home's unique architecture and style.

The bottom line

Inspire Slate combines traditional roofing with modern performance, featuring durability, energy-efficient Cool Roof options and a wide range of colors. It offers a roofing solution that enhances curb appeal while providing long-term value and protection.

Whether you love classic neutrals or are ready to make a statement with color, Inspire Slate gives you the freedom to create an exterior that reflects your personal style.

Ready to transform your home with Inspire Slate by DaVinci? Contact a DaVinci representative today to explore your options and bring your vision to life.