Weighty issue: Why composite slate roofs sell themselves

By DaVinci Roofscapes.

For many contractors and homeowners alike, the switch to lighter weight synthetic slate and shake roofing is an easy one to make.

There’s 3.5 pounds of reason for a homeowner, builder or architect to choose composite roofing over natural slate.

A natural slate tile weighs roughly 5 pounds; a composite slate tile about 1.5 pounds. Cover a roof with natural slate and you need incredible structural support underneath. Cover the same roof with composite slate and your “weighty problems” disappear.

Decisions of real versus composite aren’t weighing as heavily on the minds of industry professionals as they used to. It seems the lighter weight alternative has changed many minds.

Natural slate a hinderance

In Utah where snow is definitely a factor, designer Kevin Price feels specifying a real slate roof also means adjusting for both heavy snow loads and potential seismic conditions.

“The need for beams capable of bearing more load would be significantly higher for a natural slate roof rather than a composite slate,” states Price, president of Kevin Price Designs. “Where I design, we already have large snow loads that increase the size of the beams. Adding natural slate would result in ever bigger beams that can greatly add to the cost of construction.

“Seismic consequences are also a factor. When the top of the roof is heavy with natural slate, the house requires more shear strength to keep it from ‘tipping over.’ This can result in more shear walls; more steel moment frames; and, in some cases, lessening the size of the desired windows to get the required shear strength.”

Easier to work with: Lightweight solution

On the East Coast, custom builder Nick Schiffer just completed a Tudor style home with a composite slate roof. According to the Massachusetts builder, working with the DaVinci Roofscapes product gave his team the flexibility to attain the distinctive finish they wanted on the home. 

“The composite product was lightweight to work with in the many different areas of this roof,” says Schiffer. “This allowed us to create the custom look we wanted on the home design. We were able to achieve the aesthetics to complement the home design while also adding a very durable roof. This experience has greatly influenced the way we’ll bring composite roofing into other home projects in the future.”

Realistic-looking synthetics

For many in the industry, the switch to lighter weight synthetic slate and shake roofing is an easy one to make, and one they feel comfortable in sharing with others.

“There really is no additional specification work needed for a composite roof,” according to Michael LoBuglio, principal at Michael LoBuglio Architects in Connecticut. “The reduced maintenance and longevity are key factors why I’ve specified synthetic roofing for some of my clients. Especially important is the realistic aesthetics of the composite roofing system.

“I’ve learned that not all composite roofing systems are equivalent. The products that I specify must be aesthetically pleasing. They must appear natural and have slight variations in color, size and texture.”

In Illinois, designer Amy Storm agrees. Now in the process of creating her family’s home in the “Shelter for the Storms” series, she chose a DaVinci composite roof with the look and feel of a natural slate roof.

“Because of the weight and the extra structural elements required, natural slate simply would not work for our home design,” says Storm. “DaVinci was a smart choice. It’s lightweight, yet extremely durable. I’m confident it will stand up to the weather and look great for decades to come. And best of all, people have a hard time telling the difference between natural slate and our beautiful composite roof.”