Frequently Asked Questions
Why is DaVinci the most desirable synthetic roofing material on the market?
Actually, there are three key reasons. Three important attributes - thickness,
multiple widths and color blends - give DaVinci Slate and Shake the authentic
look homeowners want.
Thickness: With a 1/2-inch profile, it is twice as thick as any
other synthetic… showing more surface detail on the leading edges
from almost any viewing angle.
Multiple Widths: DaVinci Slate and Shake each come in a standard mix of
five shingle widths pre-collated from the factory, creating a distinctive
and varied pattern when installed.
Natural Colors: DaVinci Slate features 19 earth-tones pre-collated into
natural multi-colored blends. Choose from seven color blends (Castle Gray,
Evergreen, European, Weathered Green, Brownstone, Aberdeen and Vineyard)
or two solids (Slate Gray and Slate Black).
DaVinci Shake features five blends (Autumn, New Cedar, Weathered Cedar
and Weathered Gray) that are made from five color tones per blend for
a naturally authentic appearance all year long.
Where is the product made?
Corporate headquarters and production facility are located in Kansas City, Kansas.
What is the material?
We use an engineered polymer, blended with fire retardant and UV stabilizers specifically formulated for the tough conditions shingles are exposed to in all climates throughout the year. DaVinci uses only 100% pure resin in order to assure consistency.
Is DaVinci Synthetic Slate or Shake made from recycled materials?
No. While other synthetic shingles are manufactured from recycled materials such as tires or milk bottles, it is our opinion that roofing materials are not a good use for recycled goods.
Roofing shingles are exposed to extremely harsh conditions (extreme weather, extreme UV, extreme temperature). The only way to assure that a synthetic slate or shake will provide good service for 50 years or more is to produce those shingles to very exacting standards. It is not possible to meet our high quality control standards using recycled materials.
Have you tested your shingles to see how they perform in real-life conditions?
Yes, extensively, and at every stage of development. DaVinci regularly tests its products with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and other independent testing facilities.
DaVinci Slate and Shake are both UL certified for Class A fire resistance, Class 4 impact resistance and 110 mph wind resistance. Plus, since it is non-porous, it offers unparalleled resistance to freezing/thawing cycles and algae, fungus and insects.
Does the shingle become more brittle over time?
No. The polymer used for DaVinci shingles changes very little over time, with no effect on the material's performance qualities. To determine this, shingles have been tested in multiple stages:
Stage 1: Tested for tensile strength before undergoing weathering.
Stage 2: Exposed to very rigorous accelerated weathering with intense UV radiation exposure.
Stage 3: Tested again for tensile strength post-weathering.
Results have shown no significant signs of change in the material pre- and post-weathering.
Will the shingles curl over time?
No. We use a specially engineered rib structure on the back of DaVinci Slate to keep the slates flat… even when exposed to extreme weather conditions.
Can DaVinci Slate or Shake withstand the severe UV exposure at high altitudes?
Most definitely. DaVinci shingles are continuously being tested in accelerated weathering chambers exposed to more than twice the amount of UV radiation that is present at 6,500 feet. In all of our past and current testing, DaVinci shingles have shown insignificant change in their material properties, and very little color change at these extreme UV levels.
How will the material perform in low temperature?
Very well. Our shingles remain pliable in temperatures well below zero
and will not shatter with impact.
Can the shingles withstand severe freeze/thaw issues?
Yes. Freeze/thaw issues are generally associated with a material absorbing water, freezing and then expanding to cause cracking, crazing, palling and delaminating. Testing has shown DaVinci shingles do not absorb water and, therefore, have no freeze/thaw issues.
With multiple colors and widths, isn't there a lot of hand-sorting at the jobsite?
Not at all. Each bundle of DaVinci Slate and Shake arrives at the jobsite pre-sorted for both shingle color and shingle width variations. Simply unpack the bundle and begin installing.
Does the color extend below the surface of the shingle?
Yes. DaVinci Slate and Shake shingles are "color-through."
Can I change the colors in a blend?
Yes. However, most people find they are quite satisfied with one of our nine Slate and four Shake blends. If you wish to change the colors in a blend, we can accommodate that request as a special order. There will be a fixed charge for altering an existing color or deleting a color from a blend.
How long will DaVinci shingles resist color fade?
Since fading colors have plagued many other synthetic products on the market,
we paid special attention to this issue. In fact, it took us five years
to develop and fine-tune our patented ColorSafe™ protection, offering
two layers of UV protection:
1. The first layer has state-of-the-art UV stabilizers embedded in the polymer prior to the molding process for long-term protection.
2. An optional additional layer - a transparent sealer coating with patented top coat system that incorporates Kynar™ - provides additional UV inhibitors and a polymer grit to create an increased surface texture.
Our UV protection has shown outstanding performance both in the
lab and on the roof. During testing in our accelerated weathering chambers,
DaVinci Slate and Shake have shown no perceptible fading after more than
5,000 hours of UV exposure. Field tests confirm these results.
I'm concerned that the honeycomb core will show when I cut it. Will it?
Yes. However, we have tried to minimize the need to cut DaVinci Slate and Shake by providing five shingle widths in each bundle. This way, a contractor can easily arrange the shingles to insure that a whole shingle falls on the gable end, thus eliminating any need to make a cut. In the rare case where a shingle does need to be cut at the gable end, cuts are made on the inside edge of the shingle. This way, only the finished factory edge is visible from the ground.
What is the insulating value of your shingles?
As with almost all roofing materials, the insulating value of DaVinci Slate and Shake is minimal. The insulating value of roofing materials is typically unimportant. Insulation should be placed immediately above the ceilings, allowing the attic to be as close to the outside temperature as possible.
How is it installed?
DaVinci Slate and Shake can be installed following standard industry practices. No special training or handling is required for the contractor. Plus, because it is lightweight, DaVinci Slate eliminates the time and expense of reinforcing the roof structure that is otherwise required when using quarried slate, concrete or clay tiles.
Can it be put over an existing roof?
As with most roofing products, the best installation comes from tearing off the existing roof. This is what we recommend for DaVinci products. However, it is not a requirement. DaVinci Slate and Shake can be laid over an existing roof if the situation meets generally accepted industry criteria and local building codes.
What is the warranty for DaVinci Slate and Shake?
DaVinci Slate and Shake both have a 50-Year Limited Warranty, which is industry competitive.
Do you have any certifications in the works?
We currently have ICC-ES, WHI Certification (Warnok Hersey), Miami Dade acceptance for both Slate and Shake.
How does DaVinci Slate compare cost-wise?
DaVinci Slate costs significantly less than installed natural quarried slate of a similar thickness. It is difficult to compare DaVinci Slate with other synthetic slate shingles on an apples-to-apples basis, because DaVinci Slate offers so many extra features:
- Thicker (1/2") profiles
- Largest variety of shingle widths (five)
- Arrives at the jobsite in pre-collated bundles
- Patented two-layer ColorSafe™ protection
Even with these superior features, DaVinci Slate costs generally the same as the less desirable, old-fashioned "fake slate" shingles. Simply put, DaVinci Slate provides superior value at a comparable price to competitive synthetic slate shingles. In all cases, of course, the total installed cost (labor and materials combined) is determined by the contractor based on the specific details of each project.
Are there different prices for each color blend?
No. Our pricing does not vary based on color, which simplifies the ordering process. This is a distinct difference from our competitors.
Why would the price per square vary if there isn't a price difference for each color?
The price per square of DaVinci Slate is based on the amount of material needed to cover one square of roof area. With lower pitches, shingles must be laid at tighter exposures, which require more material. More material results in a higher price per square.
Can DaVinci tell me how many roofing squares are on my house?
No. Your roofing contractor is the best source for finding out how much roofing material you need for your house. We are happy to answer the questions your contractor may have to calculate that number.
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