Why homeowners are choosing synthetic cedar shake

By Emma Richardson.  

BRAVA’s synthetic cedar shake tiles deliver natural beauty, fire resistance and long-lasting performance with minimal maintenance.  

With natural colors and textures trending among homeowners, cedar shake is generating buzz as a roofing material that blends seamlessly into nature. However, with record wildfires in many states, true cedar shake is an increasingly risky option. Lauren White, editor for The Coffee Shops™, talked to Jerry Becker from BRAVA Roof Tile about BRAVA’s synthetic cedar shake line, a great alternative for homeowners looking for a natural aesthetic without the risk.  

BRAVA’s synthetic cedar shake tiles deliver the beauty of traditional cedar shake without the drawbacks. The tiles are designed to replicate the unique appearance of natural wood, while raising the bar for durability, upkeep and longevity. Unlike wood-based materials, BRAVA’s synthetic tiles do not provide a growth environment for algae, moss or rot. The roof looks better for longer while requiring less maintenance.  

“It's going to hold up a lot longer. And biggest thing is going to be you're not going to have the moss, you're not going to have all the growth,” Jerry points out. In addition, the tiles significantly outlast traditional cedar shake, meaning the homeowner can set it and forget it. 

With traditional shake becoming a less viable choice due to insurance requirements and fire ratings, BRAVA is stepping in to provide a superior product to homeowners and contractors. According to Jerry, “They're craving something different. They love shake roofs and really love that appearance, but because of insurance requirements and fire ratings, shake is one of those that's kind of disappearing." For homeowners seeking a more unique look and are mindful of their insurance premiums, BRAVA’s synthetic cedar shake is a great option. 

Sustainability is also an increasingly important factor for homeowners. According to Jerry, “asphalt is becoming an issue for landfills. It's overfilling now. So much of it comes off every year, so we are trying to slow that down.”  While cedar shake is biodegradable, the chemicals used to treat it also end up in the environment. On the other hand, BRAVA’s synthetic cedar shake tiles are are GreenCircle Certified, manufactured from recycled materials and contains a minimum of 63% recycled polymer. BRAVA tiles also divert 95% of waste from landfills. 

To see the BRAVA difference, visit their website or the RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory.