DaVinci Roofscapes Bellaforte Tile
March 6, 2009 — It comes in slate black and slate gray, but you can just color it green: While these polymer roofing tiles (click on image for closeup detail) are made of 100 percent virgin resin rather than recycled material — the company believing that harsh weather, UV rays and temperature swings necessitate that roofing tiles be manufactured consistently to a proven standard — any scraps, cuttings and unused tiles are themselves recyclable as repurposed "starter tiles." We don't know if that's what you use on starter houses, but we do know it has nothing to do with starter wives, probably.
Continuing on this green theme, DaVinci Roofscapes' Bellaforte line of synthetic roofing tiles can contribute to LEED certification under standards for "Heat Island Effect," "Water Efficiency," "Construction Waste Management" and "Resources Re-Use," says the company, which adds that its gray tiles also meet the standards of the Cool Roof Rating Council and Energy Star.
The 12-inch-square, snap-fit tiles each weighs 185 pounds, which is apparently lighter than most, and are impregnated with fire retardant and UV stabilizers. They're self-aligning both vertically and horizontally, and patented features include an integrated rain gutter, which seems self-explanatory, and a leading-edge tab, which means we-have-no-idea-what. Something to do with airplanes, somehow, according to a Web search. No matter — the 10-year-old company, founded by a third-generation member of a roofing-manufacturing family, offers a 50-year limited warranty on its products. And in our hearts of hearts, we'll consider it a LEEDing-edge tab.
DaVinci Roofscapes • 1413 Osage Avenue, Kansas City, Kan. 66105 • (913) 599-0766 • toll-free 800-DaVinci (800-328-4624) • csmith@davinciroofscapes.com