That’s a fair point about the weight—concrete tile can be a beast, especially on older homes that weren’t designed for it. I’ve seen more than one project stall out when the engineer’s report came back with a laundry list of reinforcements. Not fun, and definitely not cheap.
Synthetic slate does look intimidating at first glance, but honestly, once you get past the initial learning curve, it’s a lot more forgiving than it seems. The instructions are dense, yeah, but they’re mostly trying to cover every possible scenario. If you break it down step by step—layout lines, starter course, then working up row by row—it starts to make sense. I usually tell folks to dry-fit a few pieces on the ground first just to get a feel for the overlap and fastener placement. That helps take some of the mystery out of it.
One thing I really like about synthetics is how much lighter they are. You don’t have to worry about beefing up your rafters or dealing with sagging over time. Plus, in the Midwest, the freeze-thaw cycles are brutal on natural slate and concrete. Synthetics tend to flex a bit and don’t crack as easily. I’ve been back to check on a couple installs after some nasty winters, and they’re holding up better than I expected.
Upfront cost is definitely higher, no way around that. But if you factor in less structural work, easier handling, and fewer repairs down the line, it starts to balance out. And yeah, your back will thank you—hauling bundles of synthetic tiles up a ladder is a whole different story from wrestling with concrete.
If you decide to go for it, just take your time with the layout and double-check your nailing pattern. The rest falls into place. And hey, if Tamko could start out in a chicken coop, I figure there’s hope for all of us tackling tricky installs...
- Totally agree about the weight—I've seen rafters bow under old concrete tile more than once.
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That’s been my experience too, especially after a couple freeze-thaw cycles here in Ohio.“Synthetics tend to flex a bit and don’t crack as easily.”
- Ever run into issues with synthetic slate fading or curling after a few years? I’ve had one homeowner mention it, but not sure if it was install or product.
- Curious if anyone’s compared warranty claims between Tamko and DaVinci—seems like both have their quirks.
- Agree on the weight—old concrete tile is brutal on older rafters, especially if the spacing isn’t right.
- Seen some fading on synthetic slate, but it’s usually cheaper stuff or poor ventilation. Curling’s rare for me, but I did see a batch a few years back that didn’t lay flat after winter... installer said it was a new product line, might’ve been a manufacturing tweak.
- As for Tamko vs DaVinci warranties, I’ve had more luck with DaVinci actually following through, but Tamko’s easier to get ahold of when there’s an issue. Both have hoops to jump through, just different ones.
- Freeze-thaw cycles in the Midwest are rough on everything. Synthetics hold up better than most, but nothing’s perfect.
I keep hearing about synthetic slate holding up better, but I’m not totally convinced it’s always the best choice. When we bought our place (built in the 70s), it had asphalt shingles that were way past their prime. We looked at synthetic options, but a neighbor down the street had some installed a few years ago and they faded pretty noticeably—like, you could see the color difference from the sidewalk. Maybe it was a cheaper brand, or maybe our sun just hits harder than people expect, but it made me a little wary.
Also, about the warranties—everyone says DaVinci is good about honoring theirs, but I’ve heard from a couple folks that Tamko will actually send someone out to look at the problem, which feels more reassuring than just emails and paperwork. I guess it depends on what kind of headache you’re willing to deal with if something goes wrong.
Freeze-thaw is a killer, though. Our gutters are a mess every spring from all the expansion and contraction. I’m starting to think no roof is really “set it and forget it” around here...
I get where you’re coming from about the fading—seen it myself on a couple jobs, and it’s definitely more noticeable with some of the lighter synthetic colors. But honestly, I’ve also seen natural slate lose its luster or even crack after a few rough winters, especially with all the freeze-thaw cycles you mentioned. Sometimes it’s less about the material and more about how it’s installed and what kind of UV exposure you’re dealing with. Warranties are great, but I always tell folks to read the fine print—sometimes “lifetime” doesn’t mean what you think. No roof is totally maintenance-free, but a good install and regular checks go a long way.
