Polymer Roofing vs. Slate, Shake, Asphalt, Clay and Concrete

Durable: able to exist for a long time without significant deterioration; lasting.

There you have it. Webster’s Dictionary has defined synthetic roofing from DaVinci Roofscapes for us.

Our cedar shake alternative and imitation slate tiles are manufactured to last — and they’re backed by a lifetime limited warranty.

Interested in how our durable, impact- and fire-resistant polymer roofing compares to other real and man-made products? Here’s a fast look at the pros and cons of some competitive roofing products:

NATURAL SLATE:

Pros: Doesn’t burn; strong durability
Cons: Heavy and brittle; requires beefy rafters and skilled roofers for installation; expensive

REAL SHAKE:

Pros: Turns colors and fades when exposed to the sun; lightweight
Cons: Vulnerable to fire, hail and moss growth; short lifespan; can crack and split

ASPHALT:

Pros: Lightweight; inexpensive; fast to install
Cons: Sheds granules; short lifespan; thin shadow lines

CLAY:

Pros: Fireproof; long life span
Cons: Heavy; brittle; expensive; requires heavy rafters and skilled roofers for installation

CONCRETE:

Pros: Fireproof; unaffected by the sun; many shapes
Cons: Heavy; vulnerable to freezing weather

Naturally we’re firm believers in composite roofing for durability. You will be too once you hear how we make our polymer roof tiles.

Each shingle starts with pellets of colored plastic polymer blended with ultraviolet inhibitors and fire retardants. The mix is heated into a liquid state and then injected into a hot steel mold. Next, up to 1,000 tons of hydraulic pressure produces a tile of uniform density with a crisp, flawless profile.

That tile pops out of the press, is cooled, inspected and collated by color blend before being shipped. Want to see this operation in action? Here’s our plant tour video: