The slate and shake look, rated for Colorado hail.
Composite polymer slate and shake roofing that is Class 4 impact rated, Class A fire rated, and light enough for almost any home.
Why synthetic is the fastest-growing roof on the Front Range
Engineered polymer tiles give you the profile of natural slate or hand-split cedar without the weight, the fire risk, or the hail anxiety. The leading products carry UL 2218 Class 4 impact ratings, Class A fire ratings, and 50-year limited warranties. For a Colorado homeowner who wants a premium roof and is tired of filing claims, this is usually the answer.
- UL 2218 Class 4 impact rated. The highest hail rating available, which can qualify you for an insurance premium discount.
- Class A fire rated assemblies. Satisfies Colorado's Wildfire Resiliency Code and local WUI ordinances that prohibit wood shakes.
- A fraction of the weight. Roughly 300 to 400 pounds per square, compared to 800 to 1,500 for slate and tile. No structural upgrades on most homes.
- 50-year limited warranties. Color-through, UV-stabilized tiles that do not fade, crack, or curl under high-altitude sun.
- HOA friendly. Authentic slate and shake profiles in the colors review boards approve, with manufacturer samples we bring to your meeting.
- Installs with standard tools. Nails, not mortar, clips, or specialty crews, which keeps installation cost well below natural slate or tile.
Synthetic systems
Synthetic Slate
Polymer slate tiles in single-width and multi-width layouts from manufacturers including DaVinci Roofscapes and Brava. Graduated and standard patterns, with the shadow lines of real stone.
Synthetic Shake
Composite shakes that replicate hand-split cedar, including CeDUR and DaVinci shake lines. The common choice for cedar-to-Class A conversions in WUI zones.
Multi-Width and Custom Blends
Mixed widths and color blends that avoid the repeating look of cheaper composite roofs. We lay out the blend before installation.
Cedar and Slate Conversions
Tearing off wood or failed slate and installing synthetic on the existing structure, usually with no framing changes.
Mountain Detailing
Snow retention, high-temperature ice and water shield, and ventilation design for Estes Park, Winter Park, and the Vail Valley.
Insurance Documentation
Class 4 product listings and installation documentation so your agent can apply the discount.
The honest tradeoffs
Synthetic costs more than Class 4 asphalt shingles and less than natural slate or tile, roughly in the same range as a metal roof. It is a plastic product, and cheaper composites from a decade ago earned a reputation for fading and cracking. Today's leading lines have long track records in Colorado, and we only install products with established warranties and local history. If you are choosing between synthetic and the natural material it imitates, we will show you both and let the numbers decide.
Documented like a construction project
Every specialty roof starts with a walk-on inspection and a written scope: materials by manufacturer and model, underlayment, flashings, ventilation, snow retention, and schedule. You get photos of what we found, what we fixed, and what we installed, including the parts you will never see again.
- Free inspection and written scope. No pressure, no door knockers, no deposit before materials are ordered.
- Permits pulled and inspections passed. Closeout includes the approved inspection record.
- Insurance documentation. Class 4 and Class A product listings for your carrier.
- Warranty from people who answer the phone. Manufacturer and workmanship warranties in writing.
Compare your options
See where we work, from Loveland and Fort Collins to the mountain towns.
Synthetic Roofing questions
Is synthetic slate really hail resistant?
The products we install carry UL 2218 Class 4 ratings, the same test standard used for impact-resistant shingles, and they are far less likely to crack than natural slate or tile. Many insurers discount Class 4 roofs.
How long will a synthetic roof last?
Manufacturers warrant the leading products for 50 years, and installations from the early 2000s are still in service on the Front Range. UV-stabilized, color-through polymer holds up well to high-altitude sun.
Does synthetic look fake?
Up close, you can tell. From the ground, with a multi-width layout and a proper color blend, most people cannot. We bring full-size samples and photos of local installations.
Can synthetic replace my cedar roof in a wildfire zone?
Yes. Class A synthetic shake is the most common replacement for wood roofs in Colorado WUI zones and in jurisdictions that prohibit wood shakes.
Will my HOA approve it?
Most do. Synthetic slate and shake are widely accepted in Northern Colorado communities, and we provide the product sheets and color samples for your architectural review.
Want the look without the claims?
See synthetic next to natural slate, shake, and Class 4 shingles. Free, on your roof.