Synthetic Roofing in Burnaby – Modern Performance with Classic Looks

What Is Synthetic Roofing?



Synthetic roofing is a family of modern products engineered to look like natural cedar, slate, or even clay tile—but built from advanced polymers and composites that shrug off Vancouver’s wet, windy seasons. Instead of organic wood fibres or brittle stone, these materials blend recycled and virgin polymers (think HDPE/PP blends), elastomers, and mineral or glass reinforcements, then add UV stabilizers, impact modifiers, and fire-retardant packages. The result is a lightweight, tough, color-stable roof system that delivers the rich profiles homeowners love without the high upkeep.

Common profiles you’ll see in Burnaby:

• Synthetic shakes: Deep-grain textures that mimic hand-split cedar—great curb appeal with far less moss/rot risk.
• Synthetic shingles: A clean, uniform look that echoes cedar shingle or architectural asphalt patterns.
• Synthetic slate: Crisp chamfers and shadow lines that capture quarried stone aesthetics at a fraction of the weight.

Why it’s different from “plastic roofing”:
These aren’t flimsy sheets. Quality synthetics are molded, multi-layer composites—many carry Class A fire, Class 4 impact, and high wind ratings (product-specific)—and they’re designed to be installed with standard roofing tools. Because they’re light, they usually don’t require structural upgrades the way natural slate/tile often do.

Sustainability upside:

• Often include recycled content and are themselves recyclable at end-of-life (varies by manufacturer).
• Long service life reduces tear-offs over time.
• Lower maintenance chemical use compared with cedar preservatives and frequent cleaning.

Built for our climate:
Paired with a proper assembly—synthetic or high-temp underlayment, self-adhered membranes at eaves/valleys, open-metal valleys, and balanced soffit-to-ridge ventilation—synthetic roofing handles coastal moisture, wind-driven rain, and freeze/thaw gracefully while keeping weight and maintenance down.

Curious whether synthetic shakes or slate are a fit for your home’s style and budget? Call Paragon Roofing BC for expert guidance and samples in Burnaby.

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Benefits of Synthetic Roofing in Burnaby

PARAGON ROOFING BC - PERFECTION IN ROOFING

Lightweight, durable, eco-friendly

Synthetic shakes, shingles, and slate deliver the “cedar or stone” look without the weight or upkeep. Most profiles are lightweight (far less than natural slate/tile), which helps on older Burnaby homes where you don’t want structural upgrades. They’re tough—engineered polymers with UV stabilizers and impact modifiers stand up to our wind-driven rain and freeze/thaw. Many lines also incorporate recycled content and can be recycled at end-of-life, lowering the material footprint over multiple decades of service.

Resistant to moss and algae
Burnaby’s coastal moisture is a moss magnet on wood and some asphalt roofs. Quality synthetics are non-porous, so they don’t soak up water and are less inviting to moss, algae, and lichen. That means fewer cleanings, less chance of water staying trapped at laps, and a roof that keeps its colour and texture longer. (You’ll still want clear gutters and good airflow—maintenance is lighter, not zero.)

Long warranties (with real-world staying power)

Top manufacturers back synthetic roofing with long, pro-rated warranties—often 40–50 years or limited lifetime, with wind and impact ratings that fit our coastal storms. As with any roof, coverage depends on using approved accessories and installers, proper underlayment at eaves/valleys, and balanced soffit-to-ridge ventilation. Get those details right and you’re set up for decades.

Thinking about low-maintenance curb appeal that fits Burnaby’s climate? Call Paragon Roofing BC for samples, specs, and a clear quote on synthetic roofing.

Synthetic Roofing Installation Process

Tear-off vs. direct install (overlay)

• Tear-off (our default): We remove all old roofing to expose the deck, replace any soft/rotted plywood, and fix ventilation pathways. This protects warranties, ensures a flat substrate (critical for synthetics), and lets us upgrade eave/valley waterproofing for Burnaby’s heavy rain.

• Direct install (case-by-case): Some synthetic systems allow installation over one flat layer of asphalt that’s dry, sound, and well-attached. We verify deck integrity from the attic, add manufacturer-approved underlayment, and use longer corrosion-resistant fasteners to meet embedment requirements. No overlays over wood shakes, curled shingles, or multi-layer roofs—those compromise appearance and warranty.

Underlayment package (built for Burnaby weather)

• Self-adhered ice & water membrane at eaves, valleys, rakes, around skylights/vents, and other storm paths.
• High-strength synthetic underlayment across the field, installed shingle-fashion with sealed laps.
• Open-metal valleys over continuous liners for high-capacity rain shedding.
• Balanced ventilation: continuous soffit intake feeding a baffled ridge vent; we add eave baffles to keep the airway open and reduce condensation risk.
• Deck prep: seam taping or spot repairs as needed; replace damaged sheathing; correct uneven planes so synthetic courses lie true.

Fastening & detailing (wind-ready, warranty-friendly)

• Fasteners: stainless or coated, ring-shank roofing nails (or approved screws where specified), sized to penetrate the deck per the manufacturer. We follow high-wind patterns at eaves and rakes and respect each product’s exposure lines and nail guides.
• Thermal practice: set gun pressure for flush heads (no over-drives); maintain required gaps/slots for polymer expansion; pre-drill only if the brand requires it in cold weather.
• Flashings: new metal drip/edge, step and counter-flashings at walls/chimneys, curb details at skylights, and pipe boots matched to the profile—everything sequenced shingle-fashion.
• Ridges/hips: use the system’s hip/ridge caps with specified fastener patterns and, where required, compatible sealants for wind-driven rain.

Clean-up & handoff
We magnet-sweep for nails, clear gutters/valleys, photograph critical details, and deliver your warranty packet (manufacturer + our workmanship), product IDs/colours, and a simple maintenance guide.

Unsure whether your roof qualifies for an overlay—or need a full tear-off with deck upgrades? Call Paragon Roofing BC for a clear, line-item quote on synthetic roofing in Burnaby and a same-week assessment.

Synthetic vs Cedar vs Slate in Burnaby

The quick take: If you love the look of cedar or slate but want lower upkeep and friendlier loads for typical Burnaby homes, today’s synthetic composites hit a sweet spot. If you’re after heirloom authenticity and your structure can carry the weight, natural slate is the lifetime classic. Cedar brings West Coast charm and warm texture—but needs the most care in our wet marine climate.

Cost comparisons (installed, typical ranges in Burnaby)

• Synthetic (composite shakes/slate): ~$12–$20/sq ft
  Range driver: brand, profile thickness, steep/complex roofs, underlayment package.
• Cedar (shakes/shingles): ~$16–$28/sq ft
  Range driver: edge-grain grade, interlays, open-metal valleys, moss control plan.
• Natural slate: ~$30–$55+/sq ft (plus potential structural upgrades)
  Range driver: slate type/thickness, copper/stainless flashings, reinforcement for weight.

Notes: Prices vary with roof size, pitch, tear-off vs overlay eligibility, skylights/gutters, and access. We’ll price both a value build and a “storm-proof” package so you can compare apples to apples.

Appearance

• Synthetic: Designed to mimic cedar or slate with consistent colour, crisp shadow lines, and wide palettes. UV-stable “cool” colours available. From the street, premium composites are convincing—without the irregularities of aging wood.
• Cedar: The quintessential West Coast look—rich grain and a warm, organic profile that weathers to silver-grey. Every roof develops a unique patina (beautiful to many homeowners).
• Slate: Deep, refined architectural presence with sharp edges and subtle colour variegation (charcoals, greens, purples). It’s the most “estate” curb appeal of the three.

Durability & upkeep in Burnaby’s climate

• Synthetic
• Service life: commonly 40–50 years limited warranties.
• Weather fit: Excellent in heavy rain and wind when detailed with self-adhered eaves/valleys and open-metal valleys.
• Upkeep: Minimal—no routine moss treatments; occasional debris clearing.
• Fire rating: Often Class A (assembly dependent).
• Weight: Light-to-moderate; usually no structural upgrades needed.
• Cedar
• Service life: ~20–25 years typical; edge-grain with disciplined maintenance can push higher.
• Weather fit: Performs very well with true felt interlays, open-metal valleys, and balanced ventilation—but moss/lichen must be managed to keep courses drying.
• Upkeep: Highest of the three—moss control, gutter/valley cleaning, occasional shake swaps.
• Fire rating: Requires treatment/assembly strategies to achieve higher ratings.
• Weight: Moderate; usually fine on existing framing in good condition.
• Slate
• Service life: 75–100+ years when installed to spec.
• Weather fit: Superb water-shedding with copper/stainless flashings and open valleys; inherently non-combustible.
• Upkeep: Low day-to-day, but repairs require specialists, and walking on slate is limited.
• Weight: Heavy—often needs structural assessment/upgrades before installation.

When each makes the most sense

• Choose Synthetic if you want cedar/slate aesthetics with lower maintenance, strong warranties, and lighter weight—great for most Burnaby homes.
• Choose Cedar if natural texture and classic West Coast character top your list—and you’re comfortable with regular maintenance to keep performance high.
• Choose Slate if you’re building your forever roof, value timeless authenticity, and your structure (and budget) can support it.



Curious which option fits your roof, budget, and neighbourhood best? We can bring samples to your doorstep and price multiple scenarios side-by-side.

We let our reviews do the talking.

Brands you know and trust.

Why Choose Paragon Roofing BC for Synthetic Roofing

Access to top brands (and full specs, fast): We source directly from leading composite makers like DaVinci Roofscapes and Enviroshake—so you get proven profiles (shake, slate), Class A fire-rated assemblies (model-dependent), and colour palettes that actually hold up in Burnaby’s marine climate. We’ll bring full-size sample boards to your home, compare SRI/cool-colour options, and price-value tiers side-by-side.

Local Burnaby installs (built for our rain): Our crews install composites year-round across Burnaby—The Heights, Deer Lake, Buckingham, Brentwood, and South Slope—using the same storm-ready details we apply to cedar and metal: self-adhered eave/valley protection, open-metal valleys for peak flow, and balanced soffit-to-ridge ventilation to keep decks dry. Expect tidy tear-offs, deck repairs where needed, and manufacturer-aligned fastener patterns for wind.



Long-term maintenance plans (so warranties stay valid): Composites are low-maintenance, not no-maintenance. We offer optional annual or bi-annual service that includes:

• Roof & attic check (moisture/ventilation sanity check)
• Debris clearing on valleys/gutters and gentle, manufacturer-approved rinses
• Sealant/flashings review around skylights, vents, and chimneys
• Fastener/hip-ridge cap spot checks
• Photo report + warranty documentation updates (handy for resale)

Straight talk, clear pricing: You’ll see a written scope for deck repairs, underlayments, ventilation, and accessories—plus upgrade paths if you want extra storm margin.

Ready to compare DaVinci vs. Enviroshake on your roof? We’ll measure, model the details, and deliver a clean, line-item proposal.

Frequently Asked Questions.

Roofing is an investment into your property. Here are some FAQs to help navigate making that choice.

Here's What Our Existing Clients Think.

Home and business owners we've served across the greater Vancouver area.

We look forward to helping you.

For all your roofing needs, give us a call, text, or email. 604-358-3436