I have a whole “thing” I get into below about DaVinci‘s new Bellaforte Shake roofing tiles, but after getting an early look at them, I’m wasting time not starting at: BAM! DaVinci didn’t just do a great job on these shake-style tiles, they did a GREAT job on these and here’s why I think that:
I’ve nailed on a lot of asphalt shingles in my life as a contractor. And once I’m done, I’m proud of how hard I worked and that the roof is dry and better than what was there before. But that’s about it. Unlike other projects we do—decks, crown molding, pergolas, backsplashes—there’s no real nuance, depth or destination. The job is done, sure, but that’s it. No one really ever looks at it again.
What’s more, asphalt shingles can start breaking down right away. They might say they’re 30 or 40 year shingles on the packaging, but within 5 years your gutters will likely have a 1/4 inch layer of shingle granules in them. And—especially if the roofer daylights a downspout across the shingles—you can expect them to start staining in short order.
The big problem here for me is this: once you see it, you can’t un-see it. And the whole point of doing good work is to enjoy looking at it—NOT pretending its not there.
And since no roof is inexpensive, now you’re in it for the long haul. So whether I’m flipping a spec remodel or re-roofing a home someone wants to spend their life in I think about long term beauty and long term toughness. And, expert cheapskate that I am, I always think about budget.
So when I saw the richly detailed Bellaforte Shakes by DaVinci—1-inch, chamfered butt ends, random lengths, an uncannily real hand-riven cedar look, umpteen zillion stock and custom colors available—I could tell Bellaforte (again) changed the roof from an “It’s not leaking or blowing off so I don’t care” cladding to a style center that can, in lots of different ways, set a home apart—and make it safer for those living inside.
First looks: They got it. These tiles look great. I can even see some off-beat applications using them as accents on interiors like the face of a bar.
Next, durability: 50 year warranty. BAM! Add unmatched hail and storm resistance. Double BAM! And—and this is huge—they resist fire in a big way. Ask anybody who lives (or has a second home) in the West how much they like this. Also, you can go over standard (or synthetic) underlayment, no breather or gap required.
Maintenance: No streaking, no staining near an attic fan, super color-fast. Unlike asphalt shingles, Bellforte Shake will look awesome and need next to no work, well, forever. They won’t mold, curl, split, or for that matter, blow off.
Price: priced competitively with premium asphalt shingles, Bellaforte’s smart, interlocking design speeds up installation and cuts down on unnecessary materials. Plus, it is lighter than asphalt so if you have to load the roof yourself, you’re welcome.
Environment: The Eco-Blend colors are rated by the Cool Roof Rating Council as helping to keep your home cooler. Plus, this is likely the last roof the house will ever need so there is no re-roof in sight for decade after decade.
Re-Sale: Whether you’re in it for life or getting your house on the market, the value of a roof that looks awesome and that will last–and look rockin’ doing it—is a top-notch selling point.
Shake it up.
