DaVinci synthetic slate,without the weight of stone.
DaVinci makes composite tiles modeled from real slate and hand-split cedar shake, so from the street they read like the real thing. Every line carries a Class 4 impact rating and a lifetime limited material warranty on homes. The tiles weigh about a third of what real slate does, so they go on standard framing.
Photo: DaVinci RoofscapesThe short answer
How does DaVinci hold up to Omaha hail?
Well. DaVinci rates every roofing line it makes Class 4 for impact, the highest rating for hail, and the composite flexes under a strike where natural slate would crack. That rating can earn an insurance premium discount of 10-30% depending on your carrier, so ask your agent before you decide. The tiles are made from virgin resins with UV and thermal stabilizers, and the color runs all the way through each tile, which helps it hold up to summer sun and freeze-thaw cycles. If you want the look of slate or shake and you live where hail is a spring routine, this is the category built for it.
The lineup
Six DaVinci lines, two looks
All six share the Class 4 impact rating, the Class A fire rating, and DaVinci's lifetime limited material warranty. The choice is about the look you want and how the layout goes together.
| Line | The look | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-Width Slate | Slate with five mixed tile widths | The random layout gives the most natural slate look |
| Single-Width Slate | Uniform slate coursing, straight or staggered | Uses less material and installs faster than Multi-Width |
| Province Slate | Single-width tiles modeled on traditional slate | Self-aligning tiles for a quick, even layout |
| Multi-Width Shake | Hand-split cedar look with random widths | Thick tiles and deep grooves for heavy shadow lines |
| Single-Width Shake | Tidy, uniform cedar shake | The same thick profile and grain in a uniform layout |
| Select Shake | Traditional cedar look from real wood molds | Designed to install faster, at a 9 or 10 inch exposure |
The material
Polymer that behaves better than stone.
DaVinci tiles are made from virgin resins with UV and thermal stabilizers and a fire retardant built into the blend, and the color runs all the way through each tile. The designs are modeled from real slate and hand-split cedar shake, which is where the color variation, surface texture, and shadow depth come from. The polymer flexes when hail hits it instead of cracking the way stone does, and it holds its color through the freeze-thaw swings that fade and degrade natural materials over time.
Photo: DaVinci Roofscapes
Photo: DaVinci RoofscapesThe weight
One-third the weight, no reinforcement.
Real slate is heavy enough that most homes need structural reinforcement before it can go on, and that cost lands before a single tile does. DaVinci puts one of its composite tiles at about 1.5 pounds, against 5 pounds or more for the same size piece of natural slate, so it installs on the framing your house already has. If you are pricing a full roof replacement, that framing math is a real part of the comparison.
The install
A roof this good deserves a careful schedule.
DaVinci installs in 3 to 5 days on most homes. The tiles can go on in cold weather, but cold tiles are stiffer and slower to cut, so we plan this product for the better weather windows when we can. Underlayment gets picked for your pitch and your ice dam exposure, and Multi-Width Slate gets extra layout time so the random pattern lands right. Slower and right is the trade this material asks for, and it pays you back for decades.
Photo: DaVinci RoofscapesWho's behind it
Built on a craftsman's standard.
Tailwind Roofing is led by David Nelan, with 25+ years in the trades, two decades of it building and finishing exteriors across the Omaha metro, and a Class B contractor's license. A premium tile roof lives or dies on layout and flashing detail, and every DaVinci job is held to the standard he has worked to since 2003.
Questions
Common questions about DaVinci roofing
How does DaVinci compare to natural slate?
DaVinci tiles give you the look of slate at a fraction of the weight. DaVinci puts one of its composite tiles at about 1.5 pounds, against 5 pounds or more for the same size piece of natural slate, so the roof goes on standard framing without structural reinforcement. Natural slate can crack under hail, which makes repairs on it slow and expensive. DaVinci tiles carry a Class 4 impact rating and a lifetime limited material warranty on homes.
Do DaVinci roofs qualify for insurance discounts in Nebraska?
Many carriers offer a premium discount for a Class 4 roof, and the range runs 10-30% depending on the carrier. DaVinci rates every roofing line it makes Class 4 for impact. The discount is not automatic, so call your agent and ask what your policy offers, and we document the installed product so you have what you need to request it.
Can DaVinci tiles be installed in an Omaha winter?
Yes. DaVinci says its slate and shake tiles can be installed in temperatures down to about 20 degrees. Cold tiles are stiffer and harder to cut, so DaVinci recommends keeping the tiles, self-adhering underlayment, and caulk somewhere warm until they go up. We still plan DaVinci work for the better weather windows when we can, and we follow DaVinci's cold-weather instructions when we can't.
How long does a DaVinci roof installation take?
Plan on 3 to 5 days for most homes, depending on roof size and complexity. Multi-Width Slate mixes five tile widths in a random pattern, so it takes more layout time than the single-width lines, which DaVinci designs to go on faster. Rooflines with valleys, hips, and dormers add time no matter which line you pick, and weather can shift the schedule.
What does the DaVinci warranty cover?
DaVinci backs its slate and shake with a lifetime limited material warranty on homes, and the first 10 years are non-prorated against manufacturing defects. Commercial projects get a 50-year warranty. It covers the material rather than storm damage or normal wear, so installation quality is what protects the rest, which is why the details matter on a roof like this. We go over the current warranty terms, including what happens if you sell the house, as part of the detailed estimate.
Thinking about a DaVinci roof?
We'll look at your roof, walk the slate and shake lines with you, and give you a detailed estimate.
Comparing synthetics? See Brava composite tiles or every product line we carry.