DaVinci Select Shake Composite Roofing

DaVinci Select Shake delivers Class 4 impact resistance and authentic cedar aesthetics in a composite shake that contractors can install faster than natural wood. At 2.8 pounds per square foot, it won’t overload existing structures like heavier alternatives. For Montana contractors dealing with 300 freeze-thaw cycle tested materials and 110 mph wind resistance, this product addresses the technical requirements while maintaining the cedar look clients want.

Impact & Weather Performance

The numbers that matter in Montana start with impact resistance. Class 4 Impact Rating (UL 2218) means these shakes survived the steel ball drop test — the same test that determines whether insurance companies offer discounts. Resistant to 90 mph simulated hail puts this in the category of products that survive real-world abuse.

Wind resistance gets equally serious treatment. Certified up to 110 mph (Miami-Dade TAS-110 tested) provides the documentation contractors need for high-wind zones. Miami-Dade testing remains the gold standard — if it passes there, it’ll handle Montana’s chinook gusts.

Weather Specification	Rating	Test Standard
Impact Resistance	Class 4	UL 2218
Wind Resistance	110 mph	Miami-Dade TAS-110
Hail Resistance	90 mph simulated	(manufacturer)
Freeze-Thaw Cycles	300 cycles tested	(manufacturer)
Fire Rating	Class A (ASTM E108)	ASTM E108
UV Exposure	5,000 hours tested	ASTM G155

The freeze-thaw testing deserves attention. 300 cycles tested simulates decades of Montana’s temperature swings. Natural cedar fails this test through splitting and moisture absorption. Composite blend of virgin resins (polyethylene), UV and thermal stabilizers, and specialized fire retardant additives creates a material that doesn’t absorb water in the first place.

Installation Specifications

Pre-sorted bundles change the installation game. Pre-sorted and factory-collated bundles for faster installation means crews spend less time organizing materials on the roof. Bundles of 22 tiles (mixed widths: 11 x 8” and 11 x 10”) arrive ready to install.

Critical dimensions and requirements:

• 8 inches (203 mm) or 10 inches (254 mm) widths available
• 22 inches (559 mm) length standard
• 9 inches (230 mm) or 10 inches (254 mm) exposure options
• Minimum pitch: 15 degrees (3:12)
• Maximum pitch: 70 degrees

The pitch range from 15 degrees (3:12) covers most Montana applications. Snow shedding requirements typically demand steeper pitches anyway. Maximum pitch: 70 degrees handles even aggressive architectural designs.

Fastening gets specific. 10 mm head galvanized nails (40 mm for tiles, 65 mm for ridges) provide the holding power. Stainless steel required for coastal areas — not relevant for Montana but shows the engineering behind corrosion resistance.

Impermeable (non-breathable) Type HR membrane recommended (e.g., Protect Wunderlay) as underlayment differs from typical synthetic underlayment specs. The system requires proper deck preparation — Compatible with fully-boarded decks (18mm OSB or plywood).

Weight & Structural Benefits

Lightweight construction solves real problems. Approximately 14 kg/m² (approx. 2.8 lbs per square foot) compares favorably to natural cedar at 3.5-4.5 lbs per square foot. More dramatically, natural slate runs 8-12 lbs per square foot. For retrofit projects, this weight difference eliminates structural upgrades.

Material	Weight per Square Foot
DaVinci Select	2.8 lbs
Natural Cedar	3.5-4.5 lbs
Natural Slate	8-12 lbs

Individual tile weights tell the handling story. 0.6 kg (8-inch) to 0.8 kg (10-inch) per tile means installers work with manageable pieces. Bundle weight: 19.42 kg (bundle of 22 tiles) keeps loads reasonable for carrying up ladders.

48 bundles (1,056 tiles) per pallet provides the logistics data contractors need for ordering and staging. With Coverage per bundle (22 tiles) is about 1 square meter, calculating material requirements stays straightforward.

The 10-inch pieces feature a simulated keyway to create 4-inch and 6-inch appearance, delivering visual variety without complicating installation. This detail matters — it creates the random-width look of natural cedar without requiring crews to sort multiple SKUs on the roof.

The Verdict

DaVinci Select Shake earns consideration for Montana projects where impact resistance and weight matter. The Class 4 impact rating provides insurance advantages in hail-prone areas. 300 freeze-thaw cycles tested addresses the temperature swing concerns. At 2.8 pounds per square foot, existing structures handle the load without reinforcement.

Installation efficiency through pre-sorted and factory-collated bundles saves labor hours during Montana’s compressed building season. The 15-degree minimum pitch works for standard snow-shedding designs.

Not perfect. Some users prefer the more aggressive texture of higher-priced competitors like Brava; wind rating is lower than some premium synthetic options. The 110 mph rating falls short of Brava’s 211 mph capability. For extreme wind zones, other options provide higher ratings.

For contractors focused on the sweet spot of performance, weight, and installation efficiency, DaVinci Select Shake delivers. The product handles Montana’s weather demands without the maintenance headaches of natural cedar or the weight penalty of slate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What’s the actual weight of DaVinci Select Shake compared to real cedar?

DaVinci Select Shake weighs approximately 2.8 pounds per square foot, while natural cedar runs 3.5-4.5 pounds per square foot. This lighter weight means less structural load on existing roofs and easier handling for installation crews, with individual tiles weighing just 0.6-0.8 kg depending on width.

Q: How does DaVinci Select Shake handle hail and severe weather?

DaVinci Select Shake carries a Class 4 Impact Rating (UL 2218) and resists 90 mph simulated hail, plus it’s certified for winds up to 110 mph through Miami-Dade TAS-110 testing. The material has also passed 300 freeze-thaw cycles in testing, proving it can handle temperature extremes without splitting or degrading like natural wood.

Q: What roof pitches work with DaVinci Select Shake?

DaVinci Select Shake installs on roof pitches from 15 degrees (3:12) up to 70 degrees, covering nearly all residential applications. The 3:12 minimum pitch works well for Montana’s snow-shedding requirements, while the 70-degree maximum handles even aggressive architectural designs.

Q: What’s the warranty coverage on DaVinci Select Shake?

DaVinci provides a Lifetime Limited Material Warranty in the US (40-year warranty in UK/EU), with some installers mentioning 10-year non-prorated material and labor coverage. Full warranty coverage requires installation by certified professionals following manufacturer guidelines.

Q: How much coverage do you get per bundle of DaVinci Select Shake?

Each bundle contains 22 tiles (mixed widths of 11 x 8” and 11 x 10”) and covers approximately 1 square meter, with pallets containing 48 bundles total (1,056 tiles). The pre-sorted bundles arrive factory-collated for faster installation, eliminating on-site sorting time.

Q: What makes DaVinci Select Shake different from their Single-Width Shake?

DaVinci Select Shake offers multi-width appearance through 8-inch and 10-inch tiles in the same bundle, with 10-inch pieces featuring simulated keyways that create 4-inch and 6-inch visual widths. Both products share the same composite material blend of virgin polyethylene resins with UV stabilizers and fire retardants, achieving Class A fire ratings.

Q: Can DaVinci Select Shake be installed in cold weather?

DaVinci Select Shake can be installed at temperatures below 45°F (7°C), though the manufacturer recommends conditioned storage above 45°F for optimal flexibility. The material’s 300 freeze-thaw cycle testing proves it handles temperature extremes without the cracking issues that plague natural cedar in cold-weather installations.