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Roof types · Synthetic shakes and slate

Synthetic shake and slate roofs

Synthetic shakes and slates are the growing option here: moulded composite or rubber products from Brava, Euroshield, DaVinci and Enviroshake that give the look of cedar or slate with 50-year warranties, a Class A fire rating and the weight of asphalt. Natural slate is rare and goes on heritage homes built to carry it.

Installed
$15 to $22 per sq ft (synthetic)
Lifespan here
About 50 years for synthetic, longer for slate
Upkeep
Low
Upkeep cost
Occasional cleaning; replacing a damaged shake or slate

Common brands and products: Brava, Euroshield, DaVinci Roofscapes, Enviroshake; natural slate

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Pros

What it does well

  • Synthetic shakes and slates last 50 years with Class A fire ratings
  • Keep the cedar or slate look on a character house
  • Light enough to replace shingles or cedar without structural work
  • Resists moss better than cedar

Cons

What to weigh up

  • Natural slate is heavy; most houses built for shingles can't carry it without engineering
  • Synthetic products vary a lot in quality and track record
  • Less common than metal here, so fewer roofers have a long track record with them
  • Premium price in every case
Best for: Replacing a cedar roof while keeping the look (synthetic shakes), and heritage homes where slate or a slate look matters.

In our climate

Built for wet climates

Synthetic shakes and slates were designed for wet climates: they don't absorb water, moss has little to root into, and the better products carry 50-year warranties and Class 4 impact ratings. They're the usual answer when a Fort Langley or Shaughnessy owner wants to keep the cedar look without the cedar maintenance.

Like any steep roof, they rely on the underlayment and flashing beneath them, so the install matters as much as the product. Ask for Lower Mainland installations at least ten years old.

Rough budget

2,000 sq ft of synthetic

Installed, typical range
$30,000 to $44,000
Per square foot
$15 to $22 per sq ft (synthetic)
Same roof in asphalt shingles
$14,000 to $20,000

Before tear-off extras, plywood repairs, permits and GST. Steep or cut-up roofs cost more.

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Questions

Synthetic shakes and slate questions

Do synthetic shakes need structural work?

Usually not. Synthetic shakes and slates weigh about what shingles do, so they go on a house built for shingles or cedar. Natural slate is several times heavier and needs an engineer's assessment first.

How long do synthetic shakes last?

The better products carry 50-year limited warranties, Class A fire ratings and class 4 impact ratings. Track records vary by brand, so ask for installations in the Lower Mainland that are at least ten years old.

Compare

Other roof types

Asphalt shingles$7 to $10 per sq ft · About 15 to 20 yearsMetal roofing$8 to $28 per sq ft · About 40 to 60 yearsCedar shakes and shingles$18 to $25 per sq ft · About 15 to 25 years hereFlat and low-slope roofing$9 to $20 per sq ft · About 10 to 20 years depending on the membrane

Guides

Replacing a cedar shake roof in BC: your options, costs and what to knowUntreated cedar roofs often fail around 20 years on the wet coast. Your options: treated cedar, shingles, synthetic shakes or metal, with costs.Roofing materials compared for the Lower Mainland: the four common roof types and when each makes senseAsphalt shingles, metal, cedar and flat membranes compared for BC's wet coast: installed cost, lifespan, upkeep, fire rating, weight and resale, in one table.

Related services

Roof replacementTear off the old roof and install a new one in shingles, metal, cedar, flat membrane or synthetic, with new underlayment, flashing and vents.Roof inspectionA written report on the roof's condition and remaining life, for buying a house, an insurance renewal, a strata or peace of mind.Roof repairFlashing, valleys, pipe boots, missing or lifted shingles, soft spots and small sections, fixed before they become a replacement.

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