Synthetic Shingles: The Beauty of Slate and Shake Without the Drawbacks

For homeowners who love the look of natural slate or cedar shake but not the cost, weight, or maintenance that comes with them, synthetic shingles offer a compelling middle ground. Modern composite roofing has come a long way, and today's top manufacturers — including Brava and DaVinci — produce products that are remarkably difficult to distinguish from the real thing, while solving many of the problems that make natural materials impractical for most homes. Here's what you need to know, with a closer look at Brava, one of the standout options on the market.

What Are Synthetic Shingles?

Synthetic shingles are engineered roofing products designed to replicate the appearance of natural materials — most commonly slate, cedar shake, and clay barrel tile — using advanced polymer and resin technology instead of quarried stone or harvested wood. The goal is simple: capture the timeless, high-end look of natural roofing while improving on its weight, durability, cost, and maintenance requirements.

Why Homeowners Choose Synthetic Over Natural

Far less weight. Natural slate is extremely heavy and often requires costly structural reinforcement to support it. Synthetic slate and shake products deliver a similar profile and visual depth at a fraction of the weight, which usually means no expensive substructure modifications.

Better impact and weather resistance. Many synthetic shingles carry a Class 4 impact rating — the highest available — along with strong wind resistance ratings, making them well-suited to hail and severe storms.

Low maintenance. Unlike cedar shake, which requires staining, sealing, and ongoing upkeep to prevent rot, and unlike natural slate, which is prone to chipping and difficult to color-match when repairs are needed, synthetic shingles are largely maintenance-free. They resist rot, warping, cracking, and fading for decades.

Long lifespan. Quality synthetic products are engineered to last 40-50+ years, often backed by strong limited warranties — a lifespan that rivals or exceeds many natural materials without the fragility.

Sustainability. Many synthetic roofing products are made partly or fully from recycled materials and are themselves recyclable at the end of their service life, offering an eco-conscious alternative to quarried or harvested materials.

Insurance Premium Reduction. The price to insure a wood shake roof is significantly higher than to replace a synthetic or asphalt roof. In many cases, insurance companies will only provide limited or partial coverage for shake roofs which means if an insurance claim is filed there will be little to no funds available. In situations where the insurance carrier does allow full coverage the premiums are two to three times that of a standard roof.

Two Leading Brands: DaVinci and Brava

DaVinci Roofscapes produces synthetic slate and shake shingles built from a composite blend of virgin resins with UV and thermal stabilizers, known for realistic, non-repeating profiles and strong durability in a range of climates.

Brava Roof Tile is one of the most versatile synthetic roofing manufacturers on the market, offering not just slate and cedar shake, but also a synthetic Spanish barrel tile profile — giving homeowners more architectural styles to choose from under one brand.

A Closer Look at Brava

Brava has built a reputation for combining realistic craftsmanship with genuine engineering performance across all three of its product lines:

Three distinct profiles. Brava manufactures synthetic slate (Old World Slate), synthetic cedar shake, and synthetic Spanish barrel tile — giving homeowners the flexibility to match a variety of architectural styles without switching manufacturers.
Serious impact and wind performance. Brava's Old World Slate is Class 4 impact rated, the highest rating in the industry, and backed by a hail warranty. Their cedar shake tiles are rated to withstand wind speeds up to 188 mph with standard nailing, and up to 211 mph with high-wind screw installation.
Authentic texture and depth. Brava's shake tiles range in thickness from ⅝" to ⅞" and are available in three widths, creating the kind of shadow lines and dimensional variation that make the roof look genuinely hand-split rather than uniform and synthetic.
Made from recycled materials. Brava's polymer tiles are manufactured using recycled materials and are fully recyclable at the end of their lifespan, making them a strong choice for homeowners who want durability without the environmental footprint of quarried slate or harvested cedar.
Fire resistance. Brava products carry Class A or Class C fire ratings, adding an extra layer of protection and peace of mind.
Long-term warranty coverage. Brava's shake tiles are backed by a 50-year limited warranty, reflecting the kind of long-term performance the product is built for.
Lightweight installation. Brava's slate profile delivers the volume and appearance of traditional slate tile at a fraction of the weight, which can reduce both shipping costs and installation complexity compared to natural stone.

Whether you're drawn to the classic look of slate, the rustic warmth of cedar shake, or the Mediterranean character of barrel tile, Brava's product range makes it a strong option to explore.

Why Professional Installation Matters

Synthetic shingles are a premium product, and getting the full value out of them depends heavily on proper installation. Manufacturers strongly recommend working with an experienced, certified installer — improper fastening, layout, or flashing can compromise both performance and warranty coverage. This isn't a product where installation quality is a minor detail; it's central to how well your roof performs for the next several decades. Many roofing companies claim they can install all roof systems but they fail to mention they have limited experience with the installation of more specialized roofing systems. The install details and materials needed to install a synthetic roof are different than in an asphalt application which involves training and more management oversight. There are also materials that need to be fabricated in the field such as custom bent metals and or flashings: for Pinnacle jobs we bend all of our own custom valleys with 24 gauge painted steel (which is way thicker than the thin aluminum valleys that are readily available and do not meet manufacturer guidelines for Brava).

Hire Pinnacle Roofing for Your Synthetic Roof Installation

At Pinnacle Roofing, we have the experience and attention to detail that synthetic roofing systems demand. Here's how we can help:

Help you compare Brava and DaVinci — and the right profile within each line — based on your home's architecture, budget, and our local weather conditions
Provide a clear, itemized estimate so you know exactly what you're paying for and why
Install with precision, following manufacturer specifications for fastening, spacing, and flashing to protect your investment and preserve your warranty
Walk you through warranty coverage so you understand exactly what's protected
Show you real installation examples and color options so you can see how a synthetic slate, shake, or barrel tile roof will look on your home before committing

If you're drawn to the look of slate, cedar shake, or Spanish tile but want the durability and low maintenance of a modern engineered product, we'd love to talk through your options.

Ready to get started? Contact Pinnacle Roofing today to schedule a free consultation and find out if Brava or DaVinci synthetic shingles are the right fit for your home.