Engineered polymer shingles that deliver the look of slate and shake without the weight or maintenance
Synthetic composite roofing is the most exciting development in luxury residential roofing in the last two decades. Using engineered polymers, recycled rubber, and UV-stabilized resins, modern composite shingles reproduce the look of hand-split cedar shake and quarried slate so accurately that neighbors cannot tell the difference from the street. What they also cannot see is the Class A fire rating, Class 4 impact resistance, and long-term manufacturer material warranty the synthetic product delivers (warranty varies by product tier).
At National Restoration, we install leading synthetic composite systems from DaVinci Roofscapes, Brava, Inspire, and . These products solve the practical problems that keep many homeowners from installing natural slate or cedar: weight, cost, fire risk, and ongoing maintenance. The result is a premium roof with the aesthetic of the real thing and the performance of a modern engineered assembly.
Composite shingles combine the look homeowners want with the performance characteristics a modern home demands.
The highest impact rating in the UL 2218 test, Class 4 means the shingle can take a direct hit from a 2-inch steel ball without cracking. Most carriers offer meaningful homeowner's insurance discounts for Class 4 roofs.
Unlike cedar shake, which is combustible without expensive fire-retardant treatment, synthetic composite carries a Class A fire rating out of the box. It is a natural choice for wildfire-prone regions and fire-restricted communities.
Modern composite shingles are cast from real slate and hand-split cedar, so the texture, edge variation, and thickness are faithful to the source material. Color is through-body rather than surface applied.
At roughly 250-300 pounds per square, composite weighs a quarter of natural slate and less than most tile systems. That means no structural reinforcement, and the roof installs over standard residential framing.
Most composite products use recycled content in manufacturing and are themselves recyclable at end of life. The long service life also eliminates multiple replacement cycles that asphalt would require.
Composite will not rot, split, check, or grow moss the way cedar does, and it will not crack or delaminate the way older fiber-cement shingles sometimes do. A 50-year composite roof is essentially a fit-and-forget installation.
Choose between faithful reproductions of slate, cedar shake, Spanish tile, and contemporary designer profiles.
Cast from real quarried stone, synthetic slate shingles reproduce the natural texture, thickness variation, and color depth of genuine slate. The same look at a fraction of the weight, cost, and installation complexity.
Molded from hand-split cedar shakes, these shingles show the grain, splits, and shadow lines of real wood, but they will never rot, warp, burn, or need re-treatment.
For Mediterranean and Spanish Colonial homes where structural capacity cannot support clay tile, synthetic Spanish profiles deliver the silhouette and color at roughly one-fifth the weight.
Beyond single-style products, several manufacturers offer multi-width, multi-thickness designer profiles that mimic hand-cut graduated slate or custom architectural looks.
Synthetic composite shingles install with the fastening and ventilation of a high-end residential roof, but the details matter for warranty and appearance alike.
The existing roof is removed down to the deck, damaged sheathing is replaced, and the full structure is inspected for nail-holding capacity. Starting with a solid, flat deck is critical to the finished look.
High-temperature synthetic underlayment is installed across the entire deck, with self-adhering ice and water shield at eaves, valleys, and every penetration, providing full secondary waterproofing.
Heavy-gauge aluminum or copper drip edges, step flashings, and valley metal are installed per manufacturer specification. Metal lasts as long as the composite shingle, so we spec it accordingly.
Shingles are opened from multiple bundles and blended during installation so natural color variation is random rather than banded. For multi-width products, the layout pattern is planned before the first course.
Composite shingles are typically hand-nailed with stainless or galvanized ring-shank nails at the manufacturer-specified pattern. Correct nail depth and placement are inspected throughout.
Matching composite ridge and hip caps are installed over a continuous ridge vent where applicable, and the finished roof is walked, photographed, and registered with the manufacturer for warranty coverage.
Synthetic composite shingles are available in a remarkable range of authentic colors, with manufacturer-provided custom blending for historic and architect-driven projects.
Natural Slate Palette
Vermont black, weathered green, royal purple, Pennsylvania gray, and multi-color blends that match traditional quarry ranges
Cedar Shake Range
Fresh-cut cedar, driftwood gray, weathered bronze, and aged brown, with graduated texture that matches hand-split shakes
Custom Blends & Patterns
Many manufacturers offer custom color blending for historic restorations and architect-specified projects, with color samples produced before production
Synthetic composite roofing delivers authentic luxury aesthetics, long-term manufacturer material warranty (varies by product tier), and Class 4 impact resistance. Schedule a free consultation and see the samples in person.