Premium roofing systems for homes where curb appeal is the driving factor. Synthetic slate and shake from Brava and DaVinci. Designer asphalt lines from the manufacturers we know best. All installed to the same 5-year workmanship standard.
Designer and luxury roofing systems aren’t the right choice for every home. They’re the right choice for a specific kind of homeowner.
If you’re optimizing for lowest cost, or your home is a straightforward suburban build where architectural shingle would look appropriate, designer roofing is probably more than you need. We’ll tell you that during the inspection.
Brava Roof Tile is one of our primary recommendations for homeowners who want the look of natural slate or cedar shake in a lighter-weight, lower-maintenance roofing system. Brava offers composite slate and shake with deep texture, wide color options, Class 4 impact resistance, and a 50-year limited manufacturer warranty.
For Minnesota homeowners, the combination of impact resistance, freeze-thaw performance, and the look of a premium natural roof makes Brava worth considering.
DaVinci Roofscapes offers premium composite slate and shake designed to recreate the depth and variation of natural roofing materials without the weight of natural slate or the ongoing maintenance of cedar.
We can compare DaVinci and Brava based on the look of your home, product availability, budget, and the specific roofing system you are considering.
Premium asphalt shingles give you more depth, texture, and architectural character than a standard architectural shingle while staying within a traditional asphalt roofing system.
Products we install include Malarkey Windsor, GAF Grand Sequoia, CertainTeed Presidential, and Grand Manor.
Several designer shingles are also available with Class 3 or Class 4 impact ratings, which may qualify for insurance premium discounts depending on your carrier and policy.
Most homeowners considering this tier are comparing synthetic products against real slate or real cedar. Here’s the honest breakdown.
Natural slate is significantly heavier and may require structural evaluation or reinforcement depending on the home. Synthetic slate is much lighter and is often easier to incorporate into an existing roof structure.
Natural slate generally costs considerably more because of the material, specialized installation, and possible structural work. Synthetic slate gives homeowners a similar architectural look at a lower overall investment in many cases.
A properly installed natural slate roof can last 100 years or more. Synthetic slate is also designed as a long-term roofing system, with warranty coverage varying by manufacturer and product.
Real slate has the natural variation and character of stone. Premium synthetic slate gets very close to that appearance while offering more consistency and control over colors and blends.
Natural slate can crack and typically requires a contractor experienced in slate repairs. Synthetic slate generally requires less specialized maintenance, but it should still be inspected and maintained like any roofing system.
The life of a cedar roof depends heavily on the cedar grade, installation, exposure, ventilation, and maintenance. Synthetic shake is designed as a longer-term, lower-maintenance alternative.
Real cedar needs more ongoing attention, including keeping debris off the roof, maintaining proper drainage, and replacing damaged shakes as needed. Synthetic shake generally requires less maintenance, but it is not maintenance-free.
Real cedar naturally weathers and develops a silver-gray patina over time. Synthetic shake is designed to keep its selected color more consistent. Both can look beautiful, but they age very differently.
Many synthetic shake and slate systems are available with Class A fire ratings. Real cedar can also be used in fire-rated roof assemblies when the proper fire-retardant-treated products and system components are used.
Pricing can overlap depending on the grade of cedar, synthetic product selected, roof complexity, and installation requirements. We recommend comparing the complete installed systems rather than material cost alone.
No matter which designer system you choose, every full roof replacement from Foremost includes:
40 to 70-year lifespan. Standing seam offers a distinctly modern look; stone-coated steel mimics traditional profiles.
Standard architectural and impact-resistant asphalt shingles for most residential homes.
Natural wood character for homes where real cedar is the right call.
Share a few details about your home. We’ll follow up within one business day to schedule your free inspection, including on-site material samples where appropriate.
Prefer to talk first? Call (952) 495-5545 or email [email protected].
Schedule your free inspection today. We’ll assess your roof, document what we find, and give you a straight answer.