Composite shake helps a homeowner fall in love with his roof again

By DaVinci Roofscapes.

Going blonde with confidence.

Homeowners refresh their bathrooms. They change from carpet to hardwood flooring. They repaint rooms to create a distinctive new feeling. So why not help them rethink a roof when it no longer feels right for the home?

That was the opportunity on Andrew Easter’s Maryland home. He was ready to move away from asphalt and return to the cedar shake look his house originally had.

For roofing contractors, his experience is a useful reminder. Product performance matters. However, so does feeling comfortable with the visual appeal of a roof.

“I was no longer happy with the aesthetic aspect of my asphalt roof and was interested in bringing back the look of cedar shingles that the house originally had,” says Andrew. “I decided the sooner I made the change, the longer I could enjoy the new roof. And, knowing that I’d be using a synthetic shingle ensured this would be the last roof I’d ever put on my home.”

One-on-one support starts the sale

Andrew has worked in construction for his entire career. He already knew DaVinci® Roofscapes composite roofing products had a strong reputation. Still, he did his homework. He researched DaVinci and other synthetic shingle manufacturers online. His first step was simple. He requested free product samples through the DaVinci website. That connected him with Inside Sales Project Specialist Jessica Baumli.

“I worked with Andrew as he asked for different samples and local installation sites he could visit to see the product installed,” says Jessica. “He was leaning toward our Black Oak color, but was concerned it was too dark. That’s when he expressed interest in using our ‘Ask Our Color Expert’ consulting service.”

Color confidence makes a difference

By the time Jessica connected Andrew with color expert Kate Smith with Sensational Color, he had narrowed his choices to DaVinci Select Shake in Black Oak or Aged Cedar. He sought Kate’s expert perspective on how each color would work with the stonework on his home.

“Andrew was concerned the Black Oak might appear overly dark and monochromatic in certain lighting,” says Kate, who has been offering one-on-one color advise to DaVinci customers for the past 15 years. “While he appreciated Aged Cedar, he also wanted the fresh look of new cedar shingles. And, at one point, he was even looking at the option of DaVinci Multi-Width Slate in various colors.”

Kate focused on two fixed elements: the stonework and the black metal roof over the porch. Andrew planned to keep both. She validated his concern that Black Oak could be too dark. She also agreed that Aged Cedar would complement the exterior. Then one more color became the standout: Blonde Cedar.

According to Kate, “The warm blend of tan, beige and brown provides a striking contrast to the metal roof on Andrew’s home while harmonizing with the stonework.”

Going blonde — Blonde cedar, that is

Blonde Cedar is versatile. It works with both warm and cool palettes. It also gives a home a relaxed, cottage-style feeling that is both inviting and stylish. The hue adds subtle golden tones and creates a comfortable, sun-kissed cedar look that can lighten the entire exterior.

“I was somewhat torn between Blonde Cedar and Aged Cedar,” says Andrew. “What really drew me to Blonde Cedar was the close replication of actual new cedar, which I think looks beautiful… just like the cedar roof on the house originally. Plus, the Blonde Cedar contrasts well with the black metal low roofs and seems to really blend and complement the natural stone walls on the house.”

Success — Down to the blonde cedar roots!

To bring the project to life, Andrew worked with Blank Quality Builders out of Oxford, Pennsylvania.

“You could tell as we were installing the DaVinci Select Shake that the Blonde Cedar was the perfect color for this home’s exterior,” says Daniel Blank. “Based on this experience, I’d recommend this color and this product to other homeowners.”

For Andrew, the finished Cedar Blonde roof met his expectations, “Now that the roof is installed, I truly appreciate the color variations — not only from shingle to shingle, but within each individual shingle. I’ve also found that lighting has an impact on the appearance depending on the time of day and the differing conditions. This adds interest to the roof’s appearance.”

Composite shake versus natural shake: Features contractors can explain to homeowners
 

Contractor takeaway

For roofing contractors, this project shows the value of pairing premium products with a guided selection process. Samples, local project references and color consultations can help homeowners move from interest to confidence to purchase.