100-Year-Old Slate Roof Replaced with DaVinci Synthetic Roofing Tiles
When roofer Chris Boyd saw the Mohawk Avenue School in Sparta, New Jersey, a year ago, he smiled. The roof was in bad shape and still had its original 100-year-old slate tiles on the building.
“We specialize in authentic historic design roofing work and this project totally fit our capabilities,” says Boyd with CM Boyd Authentic Design. “I knew as soon as we replaced that roof it would completely transform the look of the school. I’ve been installing roofs for 28 years and the authenticity of the synthetic roofing tiles we used is one of the best advances I’ve witnessed in this industry.”
For this project, Boyd and his team installed the 198 squares of DaVinci Slate synthetic roofing tiles in a European blend color that was specified by Gianforcaro Architects, Engineers and Planners out of Chester, N.J.
“This was our first experience specifying DaVinci products and it worked out so well we proceeded to include the roofing tiles in several other school projects we were designing,” says Anthony Gianforcaro, AIA, PE. “We’re extremely pleased with the lightweight yet durable nature of the synthetic slate and how it so closely resembles real slate.
“Overall, we were especially happy with the authentic colors in the European blend. So many people can’t believe this isn’t real slate. I’ve had many calls from people that see the finished roof on the Mohawk Avenue School. They refuse to believe this is a synthetic roof.”
Resistant to fire, high wind and high impact, the DaVinci products were fast and easy for Boyd to install. In addition, he made sure to place snow guards around the structure to ease the potential accumulation of snow during the winter months.
“After a snow storm, ice and snow can settle on a roof,” says Boyd. “When the sun eventually melts the surface snow, there’s a potential for the snow to slide collectively off the roof. The snow guards prevent large blocks of snow and ice from suddenly sliding off the roof and crashing to the ground. They help the snow melt slower, which helps keep people on the ground safer.”
The spacious Mohawk Avenue School houses both the district administration offices in Sparta and the fifth grade classes for the area. The traditional brick fa?ade matched with the synthetic roofing tiles mean the entire structure is low-maintenance.
“The new roof completely changed the school into a brighter, more energetic exterior,” says Gianforcaro, a principal in his firm. “Our firm has been specifying roofs for more than 33 years. The results of this project have prompted us to rely much more on synthetic roofing products in the future.”
For this project, Boyd was contacted to complete the roofing installation by J. Strober and Sons out of Lambertville, N. J. The third-generation roofing company was established in 1928 and specializes in N.J. and eastern Penn. roofing projects for state, commercial and private institutional clients and facilities.
DaVinci Roofscapes has manufactured award-winning synthetic slate and shake roofing since 1999. The polymer roofing tiles are virtually maintenance free and far more cost effective than the natural product. DaVinci leads the industry in tile thickness, the tile width variety and the greatest selection of subtle earth-toned colors. Company products have a 50-year warranty and are 100 percent recyclable. DaVinci proudly makes its products in America and is a member of the National Association of Home Builders, the Cool Roof Rating Council and the U.S. Green Building Council. For additional information call 1-800-328-4624 or visit our website.