All About The Roof
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Throughout the mountainous areas of Nevada and California, home designs go far beyond simplistic. They capture incredible views while blending effortlessly into the landscape.
Geometric-shaped homes, A-frame getaways and multi-level vacation homes bring the focus clearly on the roofs of these mountainside retreats. “In our area, the roof is an integral part of the home design,” says Mike Hudson, a roofing installer in Nevada’s Incline Village area. “With so much exposure to our sometimes severe weather conditions of snow, winds and heavy moisture, selecting the right roofing tile is a critical decision for homeowners, architects and builders.”
For more than 35 years Hudson has installed every type of roofing product imaginable. Ask the founder and president of Class A Roofing what his preferred type of roofing material is, and you’ll find that he’s moving ahead with the times.
“Without a doubt, I really like synthetic roofing tiles for project work,” says Hudson, a designated Masterpiece Contractor with DaVinci Roofscapes. “The advantages of these tiles over original slate or shake roofing are substantial. Ever since being introduced to these tiles I’ve had tremendous success with them. Installation is fast and easy. Best of all, synthetic roofing tiles allow us to create beautiful, lasting roofs that combine Old World techniques with New World technology.”
Diversified Projects
Hudson’s company gets involved with both small and large projects, primarily in the Lake Tahoe basin and surrounding areas of western Nevada and California. A recent 935-square foot A-frame home re-roofing project in Tahoe City is covered in synthetic shake tiles.
“Our insurance company basically told us to get rid of the original cedar shake roof or they would drop us,” says homeowner Emilio Ricci. “We did some research and liked the functionality and long life span of the synthetic shake tiles recommended by Class A Roofing. We found they were within our budget and they add a strong appeal to the home.
“In our area, it was equally important that the roofing tiles meet Class A for fire retardance. These tiles achieve that by meeting the ASTME E 108 fire test. Once Mike showed the testing and certification information to the building inspector, it was clear sailing from there. Now we’re counting on the 50-year warranty of the product so that we don’t have to replace the roofing tiles again for decades.”
Multi-Level Homes
From a small A-frame to a sprawling lakefront home with surrounding mountain views and multiple rooflines, Hudson works on projects of all sizes. One recent roof installation on a South Lake Tahoe project left the contractor with a new appreciation of synthetic roofing tiles.
“We had the custom Green and Gray Blend Slate roofing tiles created especially for this home,” says Hudson. “The ability to get custom blends is just another reason I like synthetic roofing tiles. I was able to offer this homeowner a roof that perfectly complements his home’s overall design and natural setting.
For the multi-level home project, there were four different roof pitches. Even with last minute design changes, Hudson was unflappable about the roofing installation.
“The DaVinci slate requires no special engineering for added weight, so changes to the design structure present no problems for us,” says Hudson. “Even though we had virtually 15 roofs to apply on this one house, the work went quickly and easily. The starter tiles and accessories that come with synthetic roofing make it possible to customize any application.”
Geometric Roofing Challenge
A sloping octagon-style lakefront home in Incline Village also showcases the importance of the roof on a home. “The roof on this geometric home ‘touches’ the ground at four points and the pitch adds to the dramatic look of the structure,” says Hudson. “The synthetic shake tiles perfectly complement the natural setting for this home.”
Designed to remain flexible at extreme temperatures, the DaVinci roofing tiles used by Hudson on his specialty home projects can be installed in all types of weather, down to 21 degrees. The products have passed the freeze-thaw ICC-ES Test (Acceptance Criteria AC07, section 4.9) with exposure to temperatures from -40 F to 180 F in 22 hour cycles for approximately a month, replicating conditions considerably worse than faced in his area.
To assure the synthetic tiles Hudson uses can withstand different ranges of weather conditions, they have passed the accelerated weather ASTM 4798 test that replicates 4,500 hours of exposure, the equivalent of six months exposure to extreme temperature conditions, moisture and thermal shock. In addition, the tiles have passed the TAS-100 certification test for wind-driven rain, the TAS-125 certification test for wind uplift resistant in High Velocity Hurricane Zones and have achieved the highest ratings for straight line wind testing at 110mph in the ASTM D3161 test.
“Even if trees fall on these roofs during storms, the homes are protected,” says Hudson. “That’s because these roofing tiles are Class 4 impact rated and meet the UL 2218 Impact Test. That’s very appealing to homeowners in our area who are concerned with winter snowfalls and potential tree damage. That one selling point alone is enough to convince many homeowners to purchase synthetic roofing tiles.
“Since many of the homes in our area are vacation homes, it’s great for homeowners to have a ‘lock and leave’ lifestyle. They can be away from their homes and have the peace-of-mind of knowing that the synthetic roof overhead will protect their family treasures in the home. And, I have the confidence that my customers will all be exceptionally pleased with their synthetic roofs.”
DaVinci Roofscapes has manufactured award-winning synthetic slate and shake roofing since 1999. The polymer roofing tiles are virtually maintenance free and far more cost effective than the natural product. DaVinci leads the industry in tile thickness, the tile width variety and the greatest selection of subtle earth-toned colors. Company products have a 50-year warranty and are 100 percent recyclable. DaVinci proudly makes its products in America and is a member of the National Association of Home Builders, the Cool Roof Rating Council and the U.S. Green Building Council. For additional information call 1-800-328-4624 or visit our website.