By Kate Smith, Sensational Color.

Copper is a material you'll be looking at for decades; a few extra days spent comparing samples in your own light is worth the investment of time.

If your home has a copper turret, cupola or dormer that has developed a rich green-blue patina over the years, you already know it's one of the more distinctive details a house can have. So, when a re-roofing project calls for new copper flashing or valleys near that feature, homeowners often ask the same question: Won't the bright new copper clash with the existing copper?

It will, at first. New copper starts a warm salmon-pink and takes years to reach the deep verdigris of an aged roof. But that mismatch isn't permanent, and there are three ways to handle it.

Option 1: Let it weather naturally

Copper doesn't stay bright for long. Most copper elements and accents tone down to a brown-bronze within the first year and show real darkening within two to three years. A full green patina typically takes 5 to 20 years to form. This happens faster in humid or coastal climates, slower in dry ones.

Natural aging is the lowest-risk option: The new copper will gradually catch up to the existing copper, and the result stays authentic because it's the same process that produced the original patina. The trade-off is patience — you'll live with some contrast for a while.

Option 2: Have it chemically patinated

Commercial patina solutions can age new copper to a green-blue finish in a day or two rather than years. A chemical patina can work well, but results vary with the applicator's skill, the weather at the time of treatment and the specific product used.

A chemically induced patina can also look more even and uniform than copper that weathers outdoors for two decades. So make sure to ask to see the treated sample against your existing copper — ideally in daylight — before committing to a full installation.

Option 3: Choose a pre-weathered or alternative material

Several manufacturers sell copper pre-finished to a weathered look, and some will color-match a batch to a physical sample from your home. Lead-coated copper is worth knowing about, too: instead of turning green, it weathers to a soft silvery gray. It won't match an existing patina, but for some homes, that contrast is the point rather than the problem, and it pairs well with light-colored masonry or trim since its runoff doesn't stain the way copper's does.

Which to choose?

For most homeowners with an established patina they want to protect, letting new copper weather naturally is the safest bet. It requires no chemical treatment, no risk of an uneven finish and it ages the same way the original copper did. 

If immediate visual harmony matters more than the wait, send a sample of your existing copper to a manufacturer that offers pre-weathered matching — that route avoids the unpredictability of an on-site chemical patina.

Whichever direction you choose, ask your contractor to bring a sample panel before the full run goes in. Copper is a material you'll be looking at for decades; a few extra days spent comparing samples in your own light is worth the investment of time.

By Kate Smith, Sensational Color.

Roof color affects curb appeal, resale value, how a house reads on its lot and how well it performs in its climate.

The roof makes up 30%-40% of a home's visible exterior — more surface area than the walls on many house styles. That makes it the single biggest color decision most homeowners will ever make, and one of the longest-lived. A composite shake or slate roof installed today will still be on the house in 25 to 50 years. Everything below comes back to that one fact.

Curb appeal starts at the top

Design tends to work top-down on a house. The roof sets the tone the rest of the exterior has to answer to — siding, trim, door and landscaping all read in relation to it, not the other way around. DaVinci's eBook series was built around exactly this challenge:

• Fresh Colors for Exteriors with Curb Appeal — The starting point for any home
• Fresh Color Schemes for Your Home Exterior — Matches color strategy to architectural style
• Fresh Colors for Homes with Brick or Stone — Coordinating a roof with masonry that can't be repainted

TrendLine by WRBP is worth a look, too, for homeowners who want to see combinations rather than just read about them.

Resale value: The return, and the fine print

A new composite roof is one of the few exterior investments with real numbers behind it.

• National cost-vs-value data consistently shows roof replacement recovering 60 to 70 percent of its cost at resale — a stronger return than most interior remodeling projects.
• DaVinci's composite roofing tiles carry a Lifetime Limited Material Warranty, transferable to a new owner up to two times within the first 10 years of installation.

A transferable material warranty is a real selling point that most asphalt roofs can't offer.

Proportion, cohesion and fitting the block

Beyond money, color changes how a house reads:

• Proportion — Dark roofs pull a house down toward the ground and feel grounded; light roofs lift a house visually and feel taller and airier.
• Cohesion — The roof ties siding, trim, doors, shutters and landscaping together; mismatched color pieces read as disjointed no matter how nice each one is individually.
• Neighborhood fit — A roof color far outside the local palette can make a property look like it doesn't belong on the block, which matters to future buyers as much as the homeowner living there now.

Does climate change the calculus?

Yes — and it's one of the most underused pieces of information in a roof color decision.

What about a trending color?

Buying into a trend is a real risk with a roof in a way it isn't with a front door — a color a homeowner can refresh for the cost of a gallon of paint. But the answer isn't a flat no. It depends on the color and the timeline. Timeless colors — the ones that can't go wrong, regardless of how old or new the house is:

• Charcoal
• Dark graphite gray
• Slate gray or blue

These have been safe, correct color choices for decades and show no sign of dating.

Current trends worth knowing, 2024–2026:

• Dark charcoal and near-black roofs remain heavily favored, especially on new construction
• Cool grays with a blue undertone have gained ground on contemporary and farmhouse styles
• Warm "weathered wood" blends suit craftsman and cottage-style homes
• Muted mossy greens are emerging on homes going for an organic, earthy look
• The "monochromatic envelope" — roof and siding in very close tones — is showing up on modern and transitional builds

Of these, charcoal and cool-gray trends carry the least risk since they're close cousins of the timeless colors above. Muted green is the one to be cautious about for a long-term stay — it's the furthest from a classic and the most likely to feel dated in 15 years.

DaVinci's newest colors sidestep the trend question

Timber Black, Blonde Cedar, Rock Ridge and Aurora weren't created by chasing a seasonal palette — they were developed to replicate the specific way real cedar and real slate age and weather over time. A color modeled on how aged cedar or quarried Vermont slate actually looks doesn't go out of style the way a manufactured paint trend can, because it was never in style to begin with. It's simply what that material looks like in nature.

The composite slate and shake material itself is the more durable trend, regardless of color:

• Typically performs for 40 to 50 years
• Resists fading through UV-stabilized construction
• Won’t crack, curl, rot or grow moss the way natural wood and stone eventually do

A homeowner chasing a look that will still hold up in 20 years is better served by the durability of synthetic slate or synthetic shake than by any single-color choice.

The bottom (colorful) line

Roof color affects curb appeal, resale value, how a house reads on its lot and how well it performs in its climate — and it does all of that for decades at a stretch. Lean on timeless colors if in doubt; factor in climate before falling in love with a shade; and treat a passing trend as a bonus only if it happens to line up with a color that was already going to hold up on its own.

Ready to see how composite roofing colors might look on a real home? Try the free Design Tool from DaVinci Roofscapes to "try on" different composite slate and shake roofs before deciding.

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
 

By Kate Smith, Sensational Color.

For homeowners drawn to a roof with a story — one that looks like it earned its color rather than had it applied — the Nature Crafted Collection from DaVinci Roofscapes is the strongest option.

Most roofing color decisions come down to picking one color and living with it. But some of the most striking roofs on the market aren't one color at all — they're built from several, blended so the color shifts depending on the light, the distance and the angle you're standing at.

Done right, a multi-colored composite roof adds depth no solid color can match. Done wrong, it looks busy or dates fast. The difference usually comes down to which kind of multi-color you choose, and why.

A blend that ages the way real cedar does

DaVinci's Nature Crafted Collection takes a different approach to multi-color than a typical blended shingle. Rather than combining colors for visual interest, it recreates the progressive aging process cedar shake goes through as it weathers:

• The reddish burn of early transition,
• The greenish cast moss and lichen leave behind,
• The deep grays and browns that show up after years of moisture exposure.

Real cedar earns that patina by breaking down. DaVinci Roofscape's proprietary coloring process reproduces the look without the rot, splitting, or structural failure that comes with it.

Three original colors anchor the DaVinci Nature Crafted Collection.

	Aged Cedar captures the early burnt-reddish transition.	Mossy Cedar carries the damp, greenish tone moss and lichen leave on a weathering roof.	Black Oak goes furthest, reproducing the years of moisture, mold and decay of the darkest aging stage.

None of the three reads as a single flat color up close. DaVinci describes the shingles as "consistently inconsistent," the same kind of unevenness nature produces on its own.

Two new shake colors: Timber Black and Blonde Cedar

DaVinci has added two shake colors to the collection of composite roofing tiles, each at opposite ends of the spectrum.

	Timber Black takes its cue from the rustic black cedar trees found in the eastern forests of North America — deep grays and charcoal-black tones that mimic the natural oils and tannins that darken cedar wood on contact with moisture.	Blonde Cedar goes the other direction: tan, beige and warm brown in grain patterns that replicate sun-kissed, freshly cut cedar, with enough golden luster to read as light and current rather than aged.

Both colors are available in Select Shake, Single-Width Shake and Multi-Width Shake, and both carry the Class A fire rating, Class 4 impact rating and 110-mph wind rating standard to DaVinci's shake products.

Two new slate colors: Rock Ridge and Aurora

The Nature Crafted Collection's newest composite slate additions draw on quarry geology rather than wood.

	Rock Ridge blends dark gray and black to mirror the iron sulfide, graphite and carbon minerals found in slate quarried in Vermont and New York — the same minerals responsible for the natural range from cool black to warm brownish gray in real slate. It suits Colonial, Federal, Victorian, Greek Revival and other traditional revival styles.	Aurora takes its name and its palette from the Northern Lights, merging muted plum, brown and mossy gray green in a soft, mottled blend inspired by slate quarried in Vermont. It leans toward Old World, Tudor and modern farmhouse homes, and works especially well on historical renovations aiming for the feel of 1900s architecture.

Other paths to a multi-colored roof

The Nature Crafted Collection isn't the only route to a multi-colored composite roof. It's one of five.

Dimensional and architectural shingles create subtle tonal variation without an aging story behind them. European, for example, blends light and dark grays with a warm maroon accent tile across a time-honored palette that reads as classic rather than busy.

Blended colors take a quieter approach: several similar-toned colors combined so the roof looks solid from a distance and reveals depth up close.

• Brownstone combines brown and gray-brown tones, with color that shifts subtly from tile to tile for added dimension.
• Aberdeen goes further: grays, greens and muted earth tones blended so no single color dominates, which is part of why it pairs so easily with brick and stonework.

Historical restoration is its own category. Victorian and Queen Anne homes often wore genuinely multicolored roofs and restoring that look can be architecturally appropriate rather than showy. Vineyard fits here: warm accent hues set against a cool gray body, with enough contrast to read as intentional rather than random.

Complex rooflines — homes with varied pitches, turrets, or multiple planes — can also carry a material or color shift between sections, letting the architecture itself justify the change.

And mixed materials are trending in farmhouse and modern-rustic builds: a colorful primary roof paired with metal accents on dormers, porches, or accent gables.

Which approach fits

For homeowners drawn to a roof with a story — one that looks like it earned its color rather than had it applied — the Nature Crafted Collection from DaVinci Roofscapes is the strongest option, especially now that it spans both composite shake and slate synthetic roofing tiles.

For homes with more traditional architecture, a blended color like Brownstone or Aberdeen delivers depth without asking the house to make a design statement. And for the rare home built for it — a genuine Victorian, a home with a complex roofline — a bolder multi-color treatment can be the right call.

Whichever direction a homeowner leans, seeing a full-size sample panel in their own light before committing is essential. Multi-color blends read differently under overcast skies than direct sun, and the tile that looked perfect on a showroom board doesn't always match what goes up on the roof.

Start your colorful roofing exploration with the free Design Tool that allows you to “try on” different composite slate and shake roofs onto your home or sample homes. This can launch you on your multi-color roofing journey.

By DaVinci Roofscapes. 

DaVinci Composite Roofing leads the way in terms of contractor popularity.

Coast to coast, roofing contractors are talking about why they prefer DaVinci® Roofscapes as their preferred solution for roofing projects. Watch this short video to see the projects roofers are working on and hear specifically why they’re recommending DaVinci composite slate and shake products.

Here's some of the highlights of their thoughts: 

“The value add to property owners for using DaVinci is dramatic for this project. It’s cosmetically similar to cedar shake, but lasts better, but in this instance gives them about a 50% discount on their insurance.”

— Jake Daniels, Classic Construction & Consulting

“The thing I love about DaVinci products is the aesthetics, the warranties, and customers just love it!”

— Connor Stienecker, Nitro Roofing & Construction

“When you pick up a DaVinci roof tile you just know. The quality, the touch, the feel. All around it’s a great product.”

— Elliot Emann, Washington Roofing & Construction

“The thing I love about DaVinci is the quality and style that’s available along with the color selection.”

— Phil Chahinian, Preferred Exterior

By DaVinci Roofscapes.

Hand-split shake siding from DaVinci recaptures authentic cedar siding.

Built around 1914, the three-story water tower on the old Weeks homestead is still standing. And today it’s been given new life. The structure, which is a historical focal point on Lopez Island in Washington state, has just been refinished with DaVinci Hand-Split Shake Siding in a beautiful Aged Cedar color.

Debra Maggiora, current owner of the Weeks homestead in Washington, shared some thoughts:

I wanted to mimic the aesthetic of the 100-year-old shakes that were deteriorated and needed to be removed to keep the historic look of the water tower. I became familiar with the DaVinci products when I worked on reroofing a different historic building. At that time, I sought manmade materials due to their longevity and lower maintenance requirements. DaVinci shared their synthetic roofing materials and I was impressed. Now, they’ve impressed me again with their synthetic siding product.

Surprisingly realistic

Debra currently rents out the water tower to Marleigh Alexander, who runs Haircuts on the Rock inside the tower.

“My customers are fascinated to hear that the composite material is all new, yet honors the age of the building with its visual aesthetics,” says Marleigh. “Many people have been really surprised to find out that the replacement siding isn’t real cedar shake. It’s incredibly authentic looking!”

Adding another century of life

Tackling the re-siding project was Dan Kellenberger, better known as “Handy Dandy Home Maintenance” to area residents. In addition to enhancing the water tower’s exterior, Kellenberger also rebuilt its foundation, replaced shiplap boarding and rebuilt the roof area using DaVinci shake products.

Available in 8” and 10” widths, each tile is 5/8” thick and 18” tall, with thick construction and deep grooves. The realistic grain patterns combine to create dramatic shadows and visual richness. The 10” pieces have a simulated keyway to give the look of 4” and 6” shakes to create a multi-width appearance. All the DaVinci pieces resist fading, rotting, cracking, pests, severe weather and high winds.

“The original cedar materials were way past their lifespan,” says Dan. “They were old and split. The composite materials from DaVinci will hold up much better in the Pacific Northwest weather in the future. Plus, they’re fire-resistant and require almost no maintenance. With DaVinci, we’ve found a long-term solution for keeping the historic water tower looking great for another century!”

By DaVinci Roofscapes.

The story of a just-in-time installation giving a homeowner relief in the face of a storm.

Josh Maggard is a lucky man. How lucky? Just two days after his DaVinci Select Shake roof was installed on May 13, 2025, a storm came through his neighborhood dropping golf ball sized hail.

“I immediately contacted our roofers,” says Josh. “They flew a drone over the roof and showed there was no damage at all. They weren’t even surprised because DaVinci roofs are Class 4 rated for significant impact resistance. I was immensely relieved. I’m sure the severity of that storm would have destroyed our old cedar roof. Frankly, I’m confident it would have significantly damaged even a brand-new cedar shake roof!”

Inheriting a troublesome roof

Josh's story starts in 2010 when he purchased his Oak Creek, Wisconsin home. The cedar shake roof on the five-year-old house was already showing its age. Despite routine maintenance, rough storms blew off shingles. A really bad hailstorm in 2024 did extensive damage to the roof.

After that storm roofers began calling on homes in the neighborhood offering their services. Josh was most impressed by a visit from Alex Walsh with DuraShield Roofing & Contracting.

“Alex was focused on helping me rather than making an immediate sale,” says Josh. “He offered to use his drone to take pictures of the roof so I could see the hail and storm damage. His company did a temporary repair on the ridge to prevent further damage until the roof could be replaced. Then he submitted the pictures and a claim to the insurance company on my behalf, making the it easy.”

Fooled ya …

With insurance approval achieved, Josh now had to decide what to do about a new roof.

“Josh was ready to go back to a real cedar shake roof,” says Alex. “He has a traditional neighborhood and many of his neighbors have kept original shakes over the years. However, shakes just keep getting damaged and rotting away. So, I brought over DaVinci Roofscapes composite shake samples and explained all the benefits of synthetic shakes.”

Josh appreciated the attributes of composite shake, but was hesitant to negatively set his house apart with a composite shake roof. He explained:

My primary concern was that the product would look inferior. Even though I liked the samples I saw, I couldn’t picture them on my roof. What ultimately sold me was Alex showing me that two of the homes in my neighborhood that I thought had original cedar shake have actually switched to DaVinci. Those roofs look great. That visual confirmation, along with the compelling differences in warranty and maintenance, made the decision easier.

Now that my roof is installed, I know I wasted a lot of time worrying about how it would look. The Select Shake roof in the Tahoe blend looks phenomenal. I can’t believe I was ever concerned about the potential appearance!

Trusting in DaVinci

Josh didn’t have much time to sit back and bask in the happiness of a decision well made. With the severe hailstorm two days after the project was finished, his mind went immediately to damage control.

“I was immediately concerned that my new DaVinci roof would be significantly damaged because the storm was so severe,” says Josh. “Once again, DuraShield Roofing & Contracting responded quickly. They reinforced that the DaVinci product can easily handle this kind of weather and my roof was in great shape. I hope to never replace another roof in any property I ever own. However, if I do, I will go with DuraShield Roofing & Contracting. And, from what I’ve quickly learned, the benefits of going with DaVinci (the warranty, low maintenance, impact ratings, etc.) are unmatched. If I could do this whole process again (and I hope I never do!) it will be a quick decision to go with DaVinci!”

By DaVinci Roofscapes.

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee structures boast synthetic roofing.

Thanks to the beautiful design work of SRA Architects Inc., many commercial properties in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee boast composite roofing from DaVinci Roofscapes. For more than a dozen years the architectural firm has specified composite roofing on exceptional structures like the Le Conte Events Center.

Now the talented firm is in the midst of a multitude of new government designs. The Sevier County Courts Building, a new Pigeon Forge City Hall, Police Station and Fire Station structures. The common denominator? Each one of them has been specified with a Class A fire resistant DaVinci roof.

Architect endorses DaVinci

Back in 2013 Michael Smelcer, Principal at SRA Architects, Inc. indicated a preference for DaVinci Single-Width Slate on the 232,000-square-foot Le Conte Events Center in Pigeon Forge. Now, more than a decade later, he’s designing more exhibit space and a new main entrance to the complex that will add 58,000-square-feet of space.

“We’ll again use DaVinci Roofscapes overhead,” says Michael. “The LeConte Center’s roof still looks good, and it’s functioning well. We keep returning to the DaVinci product for our projects because it’s a durable product.”

DaVinci Single-Width Slate roofing tiles are constructed of a composite material made of pure virgin resins, UV and thermal stabilizers as well as a highly-specialized fire retardant. The result is a premium roofing tile that resists fading, rotting, cracking and pests. Lightweight yet durable, DaVinci tiles are Class 4 impact rated and can resist hail, severe weather and winds up to 180 mph.

Firewise construction

For another recent project, there’s an additional reason Smelcer relied on DaVinci roofing — its remarkable fire resistancy.

When designing the new Pigeon Forge Fire Station 1, a goal was to promote the construction of fire-wise structures. The Firewise USA® program, led by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), offers a structured approach for communities to enhance their wildfire resilience.

“We specified native stone on the exterior which is fire resistant,” says Michael. “Then for the roof we knew the DaVinci tiles are Class A rated, which is a plus. They also look great and provide a long lifespan on the roof. Those are all good reasons why we’ve included them on the fire station, and the upcoming police station and City Hall for Pigeon Forge.”

Fire-resistant roofing

According to Pigeon Forge Fire Chief Joshua Carr, Fire Station 1 was designed with fire safety in mind. The 30,000-square-foot facility includes a multi-story training tower, sleeping quarters and hot, warm and cold isolation zones for cancer prevention.

“The City of Pigeon Forge is proud to be a fire-adaptive community and is committed to maintaining its status as a certified Firewise community,” says Joshua. “The station was designed to promote the construction of fire-wise structures. After extensive research, it was decided that DaVinci composite roofing products would play a key role in that mission.”

The DaVinci Single-Width Slate tiles were installed by Pinpoint Roofing in Slate Gray. “The fire resistance and impact ratings are a huge selling point for our customers looking at DaVinci roofs,” says Derek Davenport, commercial director with Pinpoint Roofing LLC in Pigeon Forge. “I feel these qualities have helped us transform true slate or shake enthusiasts into believers in the synthetic lines.”

Pride in appearance

While durability is a key asset for the DaVinci roofing tiles, aesthetics come in a close second with many people. “We’re very pleased with the appearance of the roof on the fire station,” says Joshua. “It’s going to look great when the police station is finished nearby with the same roof.”

Derek shared some closing thoughts: 

At Pinpoint Roofing we pride ourselves in our ability to transform what could be another everyday roof into something people want to showcase. We do not take shortcuts. We do whatever is necessary for a fantastic final result. I drive by this fire station on a daily basis and I get a sense of pride every single time I see it. It’s such a work of art and it feels great knowing we were able to be part of its creation.”

By DaVinci Roofscapes.

Get an Earth Day advantage with roofing systems that maximize sunlight.

Would you put solar panels on your roof if almost the entire cost of the project was covered for you? Homeowner Trent N. just made this smart move.

“All in all, the incentives Trent received for installing the solar panels cover around 90% of the project costs,” says Robert Thacker, owner and CEO of Fibonacci Energy, the solar panel company Tamer purchased his system from. “First, he receives Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) from the state of Illinois in the form of a check within nine months of installation. Then he qualifies for the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for solar. ComEd also offers Distribution Generation (DG) rebates for solar and battery systems that he qualifies for. And then there’s a check from the utility with nine weeks of Permission to Operate (PTO). There’s also a federal tax rebate."

He went on, "That’s almost the full cost of setting up the solar panel system. Finally, in general, he can be saving between $2,500 to $5,000 in energy fees each year with the solar panels.”

Combining with DaVinci

These impressive numbers, combined with the failing status of Trent’s real cedar shake roof, encouraged the Illinois homeowner to make some drastic changes to his roofing system last year. While he had been thinking about solar panels for several years, a 2023 hailstorm that severely damaged his roof spurred him to take the next steps. One of those steps was contacting DuraShield Roofing & Contracting.

“Replacing the roof with another cedar shake roof did not make sense,” says Anthony Walsh, owner of DuraShield Roofing & Contracting out of Neenah, Wisconsin. “Especially when adding in the solar panels on the southern exposure of the roof. You need something stronger that you can walk on without worry to maintain the solar panels long-term. Our suggestion was definitely the DaVinci composite shake product.”

Made of virgin resin, UV and thermal stabilizers plus a fire retardant, DaVinci products are Class 4 rated for impact resistance. The sustainable tiles can handle hail, severe weather conditions and high winds. They also resist insects, fading, cracking and splitting.

Solar trend rising

“Trent chose the DaVinci Multi-Width Shake in an Aged Cedar color, which looks great on his home,” says Anthony. “We were able to work closely with Fibonacci Energy to form a strong fit of the DaVinci tiles with the solar panels on the roof. While this was our first solar panels project, I can definitely see a trend for this growing in our areas in the future.”

According to Robert, that trend in Illinois is rapidly on the rise, “Quick research shows that solar product usage has increased 288% from 2022 to 2025,” says Thacker. “Illinois is rich with solar incentives and is an ideal marketplace. We think the DaVinci roof on Trent’s home looks amazing...Solar belongs on every DaVinci roof! They go so well together. The future of energy and the future of composite roofing goes hand-in-hand.”

By DaVinci Roofscapes.

Results like these don't just happen overnight; DaVinci products spark life in the stunning Fredrica Marsh Cottages.

Developer Brett Flanagan knows the recipe for success when starting a high-end custom home community. Go with proven quality products. That’s why he personally specified DaVinci Roofscapes atop every one of the 27 luxury homes in the new Frederica Marsh Cottages community in Saint Simons Island, Georgia. 

“I’ve installed DaVinci on over 40 new homes ranging from $2 million to $10 million during the past three to five years,” says Brett, owner of Flanagan Development LLC in Sea Island, Georgia. “The aesthetics, warranty, durability, ease of installation and other features are the reasons we love this composite product so much.” 

Rooftop aesthetic diversity

Prices start at $1.7 million each for homes in the specialty community of Frederica Marsh Cottages. Each house is unique. And all the magnificent homes are adjacent to the prestigious Frederica Golf Course, surrounded by protected wetlands. 

“First impressions are everything, and the roofs on these homes maximize those impressions,” says Brett. “The authentic look of the composite slate and shake help sell these homes.

“Having a varied material palette is important in a new development, especially for a boutique community of 27 luxury homes. However, keeping a cohesive underlying palette of shake and slate provides the architectural and aesthetic appearance that is important to the overall community design and feel.” 

For the entire development, Brett specified DaVinci Multi-Width Shake in Aged Cedar and Mountain colors, DaVinci Select Shake in Chesapeake, Mossy Cedar and Mountain colors and Province Slate in the Castle Gray color. 

“We used mainly earth tones in different DaVinci product lines throughout the community to provide an architectural balance while keeping a primary consistent aesthetic,” says Brett. 

Features to count on

Along with the appearance of the roof selection comes the practicality. Located on the coast of Georgia, Saint Simon’s Island is prone to hurricane weather conditions, searing sun and high humidity.  

“Every feature of the DaVinci roof is a winner,” says Brett. “The Lifetime Limited Material Warranty is undoubtedly the best selling point to potential buyers and custom home clients. It puts them at ease immediately. Follow that by the aesthetics and the low maintenance.  

“People don’t want to worry about their roof — during good times or bad. When the weather’s sunny, they don’t want to worry about fade resistance. And with the DaVinci roof, the guaranteed retention of the color makes such a huge impact architecturally. 

“Then when there’s stormy weather, the Class 4 impact resistancy of the roof really counts. So does the exceptional wind resistance with the weather conditions we get. Both factor into the structural integrity of the home, but play a larger role year over year with insurance carriers for our homeowners and buyers. We’re in a coastal market, so it’s very important to have this level of protection. 

“And finally, the Class A fire protection on the DaVinci roof is valuable for both peace of mind and from an insurance standpoint. I’ve had custom clients rule out a real wood shake roof even though they love them. When I show them a composite DaVinci shake roof, they immediately set their worries aside.” 

Up on the roof

Creating the dream development of Fredrica Marsh Cottages doesn’t happen overnight. Started in 2024, the expansive project is scheduled to be fully complete and sold out in 2027. During the three-year construction process, the experienced team at Stephen Cookson Inc. has been retained to install the roofs on the 27 designer homes. 

“We have a strong working relationship with Flanagan Development,” says Stephen Cookson, owner and founder of Stephen Cookson, Inc. out of Brunswick, Georgia. “Both companies value craftsmanship and long-term performance. Our rapport is built on trust, communication and shared expectations for quality. 

“We work closely with their team during planning and execution to make sure the design intent is carried through properly and that the DaVinci roofing system is installed to manufacturer standards. We have a crew of up to 10 people working on this DaVinci roof installation regularly. These people have the talent and craftsmanship skills to make certain that each composite roof is installed perfectly to accent the home designs. 

“These roofs represent some of our most detailed and technically demanding work. Each DaVinci project requires careful planning and experienced crews, and we treat them as signature installations for our company.” 

The team at Stephen Cookson Inc. has gained a strong level of experience installing DaVinci slate and shake roof systems on homes throughout the coastal Georgia region. Each project has elevated the home’s appearance along with its performance. 

“Many homeowners have seen storm damage to traditional roof materials,” says Stephen. “Now they’re choosing products that offer better performance while still maintaining the elegance of slate or shake. With its 180-mph wind rating, impact resistance and ability to stand up to severe weather, DaVinci fits the needs of homeowners in coastal and hurricane-prone regions.”

Looking to future projects

While the Frederica Marsh Cottages project is in full swing, Flanagan Development also has other “irons in the fire.” 

“We build a lot of homes in Frederica Township,” says Brett. “One we’re specifically excited about is a 5,700-square-foot custom home in a wooded setting. It will receive a full DaVinci Slate roof in Slate Gray. I can’t wait to see that one complete as I know the roof will look outstanding. 

“Basically, we don’t do any projects that don’t have DaVinci specified in some way or another. We have multiple current projects that will receive DaVinci products and more on the way. I’m simply a huge believer in the DaVinci products.” 

And at Stephen Cookson, Inc., demand is also on the rise for DaVinci roofing materials. 

“We have unique custom homes and renovations coming up where homeowners want premium roofs that stand out both visually and structurally,” says Stephen. “People in our area are moving toward DaVinci because they desire roofs that offer a long lifespan, high wind resistance, low maintenance, consistent appearance and a luxury architectural look. We’re proud to deliver those high-quality finished DaVinci roofs.”