Composite roofing tiles made from 100% post-industrial recycled polyethylene with patented ColorCast mineral infusion. Three profiles: Cedar Shake, Old World Slate, Spanish Barrel Tile. Class 4 impact, up to 211 mph wind (screw install), 50-year transferable warranty.
100% Recycled • Made in Iowa USA • 50-Year Transferable Warranty • Family-Owned Since 2005
Cedar Shake, Slate, or Spanish Tile Without the Material Tradeoffs
You’re building a custom home or doing a major remodel where the roof has to match a specific architectural aesthetic: cedar shake on a Craftsman, slate on a Colonial or Tudor, Spanish barrel tile on a Mediterranean or hacienda-style custom build. The traditional materials each have real tradeoffs. Real cedar shake: 20-to-30-year lifespan, fire vulnerable, insurance issues, woodpecker and rot problems. Real slate: 75-plus year lifespan but extreme weight (requires reinforced structure), fragile during install, high labor cost. Real clay Spanish tile: beautiful but heavy, brittle, difficult to source in cold climates.
Brava Composite Roof Tile solves the tradeoffs. 100% post-industrial recycled polyethylene with patented ColorCast mineral infusion — colors are infused throughout the tile using natural minerals, not surface-applied paint. Available in three profiles: Cedar Shake (22-inch x 5/7/12-inch widths, 304-310 lbs/square), Old World Slate (12-1/8-inch x 22-inch with multi-width options), Spanish Barrel Tile (13-inch x 16-1/2-inch, 281 lbs/square). Every profile is Class 4 impact rated. Wind resistance up to 211 mph with screw installation. And a 50-year limited warranty that transfers to subsequent homeowners.
Four Features That Separate Brava From Natural and Composite Alternatives
Brava isn’t the only composite roofing product on the market. It’s the one that gets our recommendation for specific aesthetic and performance reasons. Here’s what makes it different.
Three Profiles — Cedar Shake, Slate, Spanish Barrel Tile
Brava makes three distinct profiles, each replicating a natural material aesthetic. Cedar Shake: 22 inches long with 5, 7, or 12-inch widths, 1/2-inch to 7/8-inch thickness (thickest in the industry), 10-inch exposure, 12-plus color options. Old World Slate: 12-1/8-inch wide by 22 inches long standard (multi-width options available), 1/4-inch tip to 1-inch butt thickness (thickest in the industry — competitors run 1/8-inch tip to 1/2-inch butt), 11-plus standard colors plus Title 24 Cool Color options. Spanish Barrel Tile: 13-inch wide by 16-1/2-inch long, 13-inch exposure, 17-plus colors in terra cotta, Mediterranean, and custom palettes.
The profile thickness matters for aesthetics. Brava’s tiles are substantially thicker than competitors, which gives the roof a more substantial look from the street — closer to the appearance of genuine slate or cedar than thinner composite alternatives.
ColorCast Mineral Infusion — Colors Through the Tile
ColorCast is Brava’s patented color technology. Colors are infused throughout the tile using natural minerals — not surface-applied paint or coating. That means color can’t chip off, can’t wash off with granules (there are none), and doesn’t fade unevenly. Performance validation: Brava tiles show a maximum 4 Hunter units (Delta-E) color change after 2,500 hours of accelerated weathering — well within the 10-year fade warranty terms. The surface texture is deeply authentic, with natural irregularities that mimic hand-split cedar, quarried slate, or handmade Spanish tile depending on the profile.
Brava claims superior realism versus DaVinci Roofscapes (the other major composite competitor) because of the deeper texture and natural irregularities. In person at our showroom, the difference is visible — Brava looks like natural material, DaVinci looks smoother and more uniform. Personal aesthetic preference, but the texture fidelity is where Brava leads.
Class 4 Impact + 211 mph Wind (Screw Install) + Freeze-Thaw Certified
Every Brava profile carries UL 2218 Class 4 impact rating — the highest available. Wind performance is exceptional: 188 mph with ring shank nails, 211 mph with high-wind screw installation. Dade County FL approved (110-plus mph zone). Freeze-thaw certified per ICC-ES AC07 — cycled from -40F to 180F with no crazing, cracking, or delamination. That last one is critical for McHenry County winters. Many composite products fail freeze-thaw testing and break down over Midwest winters; Brava is engineered for the climate and has the test data to back it.
For impact resistance, the composite polymer absorbs hail energy better than rigid materials like slate or clay tile (which can crack). For wind, the 211 mph screw-install rating is among the strongest in residential roofing — a real advantage for exposed lake-front homes and custom builds in high-wind corridors.
50-Year Transferable Warranty with Full Replacement Coverage
Brava’s 50-year limited warranty covers material defects including cracking, warping, and color fading. Fully transferable to subsequent homeowners (with registration). Remedy options include replacement products AND installation costs for affected portions, refund of original purchase price (excluding freight), or mutually agreeable resolution. Installation cost cap is prevailing local rates or $350 per 100 square feet, whichever is lower — real coverage for real labor cost.
The transferability matters for resale value on custom homes — a 50-year transferable warranty on the roof is an appraisal-relevant asset. Compare to real cedar (typically only 1-year installer warranty, no material coverage from the cedar mill) or real slate (material-only warranty, labor is the buyer’s problem). Brava’s warranty is among the strongest in the luxury roofing market.
See Brava Composite Roof Tile Installed by IHC
Real projects across McHenry County. No stock photos.
Composite cedar shake — McHenry County, IL
Completed Brava roof — McHenry County, IL
After photo — McHenry County, IL
Showcase roof — McHenry, IL
Premium install in progress
IHC crew at work
Three Brava Profiles — Pick the Aesthetic
Each profile replicates a traditional roofing material. All three are Class 4 impact-rated, freeze-thaw certified, and carry the same 50-year transferable warranty.
Brava Cedar Shake
- 22″ long × 5″, 7″, 12″ widths
- 1/2″ to 7/8″ thick (thickest in industry)
- 10″ max exposure
- 304-310 lbs per square
- 12+ colors (custom available)
- Roofing AND siding applications
Best for: Craftsman, Victorian, cedar replacement
Brava Old World Slate
- 12-1/8″ × 22″ standard (multi-width options)
- 1/4″ tip to 1″ butt
- 10″ exposure standard (8″ optional)
- 304-310 lbs per square
- 11+ pre-mixed colors, Title 24 Cool options
- Authentic quarried-slate irregularity
Best for: Colonial, Tudor, luxury estate
Brava Spanish Barrel Tile
- 13″ wide × 16-1/2″ long × 0.28″ thick
- 13″ exposure
- 281 lbs per square
- 17+ colors in terra cotta and Mediterranean palettes
- Min slope 2:12 to 4:12
- Installable 0F to 100F
Best for: Mediterranean, Hacienda, custom Spanish
McHenry County application: Cedar Shake is our most-common Brava profile — cedar replacement on Craftsman and lake homes is the strong use case. Old World Slate comes in on luxury Colonial and Tudor custom builds. Spanish Barrel Tile is rare but beautiful on Mediterranean-style builds. See all three profiles at our Crystal Lake showroom.
Brava vs. The Alternatives
Brava competes with F-Wave, DaVinci Roofscapes, and traditional natural materials (cedar shake, slate, clay tile). Here’s the detailed comparison.
| Feature | Brava Composite This Page | F-Wave REVIA | DaVinci Roofscapes | Real Cedar Shake |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material | 100% recycled polyethylene + ColorCast mineral infusion | Single-piece commercial-grade thermoplastic polymer | Virgin resin + UV stabilizers | Natural cedar wood |
| Texture | Deeply authentic, natural irregularities | Clean polymer finish | Smoother, more uniform | Actual hand-split wood |
| Through-Body Color | Yes (ColorCast mineral infusion) | Integral to polymer | Yes (polymer through-body) | Natural wood |
| Impact Rating | Class 4 (UL 2218) | Class 4 (UL 2218) | Class 4 (UL 2218) | Varies |
| Wind Rating | 188 mph (nails) / 211 mph (screws) | 130 mph (150 mph XTM) | 110+ mph | Varies |
| Weight | 304-310 lbs/sq (shake/slate); 281 lbs/sq (Spanish) | ~185-200 lbs/sq | ~155 lbs/sq | Varies |
| Recycled Content | 100% post-industrial recycled | Virgin polymer | Virgin materials | Natural wood (renewable) |
| Freeze-Thaw Tested | Certified (ICC-ES AC07) | Certified | Tested | N/A — wood absorbs moisture |
| Warranty | 50-yr limited transferable | 50-yr limited + 15-yr non-prorated M&L | Limited lifetime transferable | 1-yr installer typical |
| Profiles | Cedar shake, slate, Spanish tile | 4 profiles (shake, slate, designer) | Cedar shake, slate | Hand-split cedar |
| Insurance Discount | Class 4 qualifies (10-28%) | Class 4 qualifies | Class 4 qualifies | Often restricted |
Why Buy Brava Composite Roof Tile Through IHC
Why Brava for the Right Aesthetic Match
Brava is the composite we recommend when the homeowner wants maximum texture and natural-material realism in the roof. The ColorCast mineral infusion and deeper tile thickness give Brava a more substantial aesthetic than smoother composite alternatives like DaVinci. For cedar-shake replacement where the original look matters, the 12-plus color Cedar Shake palette (Natural Cedar, Aspen, Aged Cedar, Canyon Gray, Weathered) reads authentic from the street. For luxury slate aesthetic, the 1/4-inch to 1-inch butt thickness gives a dimensional shadow profile that thinner composite slates can’t match.
IHC crews install Brava to the manufacturer spec: 3/8-inch expansion gap between tiles, ring shank nails for standard installs or screws for high-wind zones, approved underlayment for fire rating (Class A with LowE Thermasheet or equivalent, Class C with standard underlayment). The product is heavier than F-Wave but within standard residential structural capacity — no special deck reinforcement required for most installs. We’ve run Brava on custom builds, cedar replacements, and luxury remodels across McHenry County with no callbacks.
21+
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380+
Google Reviews at 4.6 Stars
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Notes From the Field — What We Actually Install
I’ve installed Brava Cedar Shake on Craftsman homes in Crystal Lake, custom lake-front builds in Barrington, and cedar replacement projects across Woodstock and McHenry. Our most common Brava Cedar Shake orders are Natural Cedar and Aged Cedar on traditional Craftsman and Victorian homes, with Canyon Gray and Weathered showing up on lake homes and rustic custom builds. Old World Slate has been specified on luxury Colonial and Tudor custom builds in Barrington — the 1/4-inch to 1-inch butt thickness gives a dimensional shadow profile that reads as authentic slate from street view, which is exactly what the architects want.
Install specs we follow: 3/8-inch expansion gap between tiles per Brava spec (non-negotiable — tiles expand and contract with temperature, and crowding causes cracking). Ring shank nails for standard installs, high-wind screws for exposed elevations where the 211 mph wind rating matters. Underlayment selection determines fire rating: standard synthetic underlayment gives Class C; LowE Thermasheet fire-resistant underlayment upgrades to Class A — we typically spec Class A for custom luxury homes. Minimum roof slope 4:12 for shake and slate, 2:12 for Spanish tile (per Brava install manual). Standard tools, standard installation technique — our crews who know traditional roofing can learn Brava quickly.
For homeowners weighing Brava vs F-Wave REVIA, the decision is aesthetic preference. Brava has deeper, more natural-looking texture — closer to genuine cedar or slate in appearance. F-Wave is lighter, installs faster, and has stronger warranty coverage (15-year non-prorated M&L). Both are 50-year products, both are Class 4 impact, both are engineered for freeze-thaw. I’ll walk through sample boards with you side-by-side and you’ll likely know within 5 minutes which aesthetic matches your home — they’re clearly different products once you see them in person.
Other Brava & Luxury Roofing Products We Install
Luxury roofing products that serve the top tier of McHenry County homes. When asphalt isn’t enough and the roof has to last generations, synthetic polymer and composite tile systems are the answer.
Ready to See Composite Tile That Looks Like the Real Thing?
We come to your home, review the architectural aesthetic you’re after, and walk you through Brava Cedar Shake, Old World Slate, and Spanish Barrel Tile sample boards in person. Free estimate.
Visit Our Crystal Lake Showroom
4410 IL-176, Suite 1, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Mon–Fri 9AM–4PM | Appointments available 24/7 via AI receptionist
395++ Google Reviews · 4.6 Stars · Family-Owned Since 2005
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Brava made of?
Brava tiles are made from 100% post-industrial recycled polyethylene with patented ColorCast mineral infusion — colors are infused throughout the tile using natural minerals, not surface-applied paint. Manufactured in Washington, Iowa USA. 100% recyclable at end of life. This is fundamentally different from F-Wave (single-piece virgin polymer) and from DaVinci Roofscapes (virgin resin with UV stabilizers).
How does Brava compare to F-Wave REVIA?
Both are 50-year synthetic roofing with Class 4 impact ratings. Brava has deeper texture and more substantial thickness — closer to authentic natural material in appearance. F-Wave is lighter (~185-200 lbs/sq vs Brava 304-310 lbs/sq) and installs faster. F-Wave has stronger warranty coverage (15-year non-prorated material AND labor vs Brava’s 50-year limited with remedy options). Brava is 100% recycled content; F-Wave uses virgin polymer. Aesthetic preference usually decides between them — Brava looks more like natural material, F-Wave looks like a clean premium product.
Will my roof structure support Brava?
Yes, in almost every case. Brava weighs 304-310 lbs per square (shake and slate) or 281 lbs per square (Spanish) — heavier than asphalt (~228-320 lbs) but well within standard residential structural capacity. No deck reinforcement required for most installs. For comparison: real slate weighs 800-1,500 lbs per square and does require reinforced structure. Brava gets the slate aesthetic at residential structural weight.
Does Brava qualify for insurance discounts?
Yes. Brava’s UL 2218 Class 4 impact rating qualifies for the standard 10 to 28 percent insurance premium discount in most states — same as CertainTeed ClimateFlex, F-Wave REVIA, and other Class 4 products. We’ll help confirm your specific carrier’s discount structure and provide Class 4 certification documentation.
What’s the warranty on Brava?
50-year limited warranty from date of original purchase. Covers material defects including cracking, warping, and color fading. Color fade specifically: coverage for any fading greater than 4 Hunter units within 10 years (the product tested at maximum 4 Hunter units after 2,500 hours accelerated weathering — well within warranty terms). Fully transferable to subsequent homeowners with registration within 30 days of purchase. Remedy options: replacement products AND installation costs for affected portions, or refund of original purchase price, or mutually agreeable resolution. Installation cost cap: prevailing local rates or $350 per 100 sqft, whichever is lower.
Can Brava be installed on a low-slope roof?
Yes for Spanish Barrel Tile (minimum 2:12 per Brava install manual, 4:12 per ARCAT warranty spec). Cedar Shake and Old World Slate require minimum 4:12 slope. For roofs below these slopes, the manufacturer’s warranty may not apply — we’ll discuss slope-specific considerations during the site visit.
