DaVinci vs Brava — Synthetic Shake for BC Homes

Both DaVinci and Brava give you the look of cedar shake or slate without the maintenance and fire concerns of real wood. They are two of the best synthetic shake products on the market, and they compete closely. Here is how they differ and which one suits which home, from a crew that installs both. From Paragon Roofing BC, family owned since 2010.

Synthetic shake has become the natural upgrade path for Lower Mainland homeowners who love the look of cedar but do not want the moss, the maintenance, or the fire concern that comes with real wood in our wet climate. DaVinci and Brava are the two products homeowners ask us about most. Both are moulded polymer products engineered to look like hand split cedar shake or natural slate, both carry long manufacturer limited warranties in the fifty year range, and both perform far better than real cedar in our conditions. The choice between them comes down to the look you want, the texture, and budget.

DaVinci: crisp profiles and colour blends

DaVinci is known for clean, consistent profiles and a wide range of factory colour blends that let you tune the look from a tight modern shake to a varied multi width traditional roof. The tiles are virtually maintenance free, will not split, curl, or grow moss the way cedar does, and carry a strong impact rating. Homeowners who want a refined, designed look with predictable colour usually gravitate to DaVinci. It pairs especially well with character homes and newer builds going for an upscale traditional roofline.

Brava: realistic texture and recycled content

Brava is moulded from real cedar shake masters, so the texture and grain read as very authentic up close, which is a real advantage on homes where the roof is highly visible. Colour runs through the tile rather than sitting only on the surface, and Brava makes a point of its recycled content, which appeals to homeowners prioritising sustainability. Brava also offers shake, slate, and barrel tile profiles, giving good flexibility for different architectural styles. Homeowners who want the most convincing cedar texture often choose Brava.

Side by side comparison

Which one is right for your home

In practice, both products will give you a beautiful, durable roof that ends the cedar maintenance treadmill for good. The decision usually gets made standing on the driveway with a sample of each in hand, looking at your home and your colour. We install both and have no incentive to push one over the other. For more, see our Brava roof tile and composite roofing pages, or our cedar conversion service if you are moving off real wood.

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