The character of natural slate or hand-split cedar — without the same weight and maintenance demands. Horizon Restoration installs Brava Old World Slate and Brava Cedar Shake throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, for homeowners who want something more distinctive than an ordinary asphalt-shingle roof but not the structural load of natural slate or the upkeep of real cedar.
Old World Slate has a substantial one-inch profile that reproduces the depth of traditional quarried slate. Cedar Shake combines multiple widths, varied profiles, and split-wood textures to create the irregular appearance of a natural shake roof. Schedule a free roof inspection and Brava sample consultation.
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Natural slate and cedar shake are visually distinctive, but both present practical challenges. Natural slate is heavy and brittle — a home may require structural modifications before it can support the material, and matching a damaged slate tile years later can be difficult. Natural cedar creates a warm, traditional appearance but requires more attention as the wood ages.
Brava is designed to reproduce those materials using a lighter composite product that resists moisture absorption, does not rot like wood, and is less vulnerable to the cracking and chipping associated with natural slate. Brava also states that its products are designed for climates involving repeated freezing and thawing.
Homeowners commonly choose Brava because they want:
Brava is also a more resource-conscious option. The tiles are manufactured using recycled plastics and can be recycled again when the roof eventually reaches the end of its useful life — reducing reliance on newly quarried slate or harvested cedar. That does not make any manufactured roofing product impact-free, but it is a specific, supportable sustainability benefit.
For homeowners who want the formal, substantial appearance of quarried slate without the same load on the roof structure. Its one-inch profile creates deeper edges, stronger shadow lines, and greater visible color exposure than a thin, flat imitation slate. A natural fit for Tudor, historic, traditional brick, and European-influenced homes — and for large custom homes with prominent gables, dormers, or steep slopes. Composite slate also avoids working with a brittle natural material that can chip, crack, or become difficult to match after years of weathering.
Recreates the warmth and irregular texture of hand-split wood using three tile widths — 5, 7, and 12 inches — with varied textures and profiles so the roof never looks flat or mechanically repetitive. Lay it in straight courses for a cleaner, more controlled appearance, or stagger the courses for a more rustic roofline. A strong fit for Craftsman homes, cottages, lake houses, and wooded properties — without the periodic treatment natural cedar requires.
Brava’s Colorcast process uses mineral pigments distributed throughout the material, with intentional differences in color and texture from tile to tile — so the finished roof shows the variation found in natural slate and wood rather than a repetitive, manufactured look. Choose from established color collections, multicolored blends, and custom color combinations, subject to manufacturer availability.
Choose Old World Slate when the home calls for a more formal, substantial, or historic appearance. Choose Cedar Shake when the home benefits from a warmer, more textured, or less formal roof.
The decision should consider exterior brick, stone, stucco, or siding; window and trim colors; roof pitch and visibility from the street; dormers, turrets, chimneys, and gables; the size and scale of the home; surrounding neighborhood character; and whether you prefer uniformity or natural variation. During color selection we also weigh undertones in brick or stone, fascia and gutter colors, how much of the roof is visible, and how the material looks in direct sunlight and shade. We recommend reviewing physical samples rather than making a final decision from a computer screen or printed brochure.
Horizon Restoration can bring physical Brava samples to the property so colors and profiles can be evaluated against the home's existing materials and under actual outdoor lighting.
Many Chicago and suburban homes were built before lightweight composite slate and shake products existed. Their framing may be perfectly serviceable for asphalt roofing but unsuitable for natural stone. That does not automatically mean the home is unsuitable for Brava — because Brava weighs considerably less than natural slate, it may allow a slate-style roof without rebuilding the entire roof structure. However, no contractor should promise that structural work will never be necessary before inspecting the property.
Before recommending Brava, Horizon Restoration evaluates:
Any damaged decking must be addressed before the new roof is installed. If a structural concern is identified, it should be evaluated and corrected rather than concealed beneath a premium roofing product.
Chicago-area roofs experience repeated freezing and thawing, heavy rain, hail, strong winds, snow accumulation, ice, summer heat, and rapid temperature changes. Brava says its composite roofing is designed to tolerate freeze-thaw conditions without the water-absorption concerns associated with some traditional materials:
⚠️ Class 4 does not mean indestructible. Large hail, falling branches, wind-driven debris, foot traffic, improper installation, and severe weather can still damage roofing components — it means the material has achieved a recognized impact-resistance classification.
The tile is only one part of the roof. A durable Brava installation still depends on sound, code-compliant decking, proper underlayment, ice-and-water protection in vulnerable areas, correct valley construction, properly fabricated chimney, wall, and skylight flashing, balanced attic ventilation, correct exposure and overlap, manufacturer-specified fastening, and proper hip, ridge, starter, rake, and valley components. Ice dams are not prevented by the visible tile alone — insulation, attic heat loss, ventilation, roof geometry, and drainage all influence whether melting snow can refreeze at the eaves.
We inspect the existing roofing, roof pitch, visible deck condition, framing, ventilation, flashing, penetrations, and drainage. This determines whether Brava is suitable and identifies work that must be completed before installation.
We compare Old World Slate and Cedar Shake samples against the home’s exterior. For Cedar Shake, we discuss whether straight or staggered courses are more appropriate; for slate, whether the home calls for a uniform field color or a more varied blend.
The existing roofing is removed to expose the roof deck, so concealed rot, soft decking, improper repairs, and previous leakage can be identified. Damaged or noncompliant decking is repaired or replaced before the roof system proceeds.
The required underlayment and ice-and-water protection are installed based on the roof design, local code, and current Brava instructions. Flashing is installed or replaced at valleys, chimneys, sidewalls and headwalls, skylights, plumbing vents, roof-to-wall transitions, and other vulnerable intersections.
Before fastening the field tiles, the roof is measured and laid out carefully so courses, exposure, overlap, sidelap spacing, edges, valleys, hips, and ridges work together. The tiles are also distributed and blended so natural color variation appears balanced across the completed roof.
Each tile is installed according to the current fastening and spacing requirements for the selected Brava product, with manufacturer accessories at eaves, rakes, valleys, hips, and ridges. These details affect both water management and the roof’s finished appearance.
We inspect field-tile alignment, fastening, flashing, valleys, hips and ridges, ventilation, penetrations, and finished color distribution. The work area is cleaned, loose debris is removed, and magnetic equipment is used around the property to collect metal fasteners.
A damaged Brava roof does not automatically require complete replacement. The appropriate recommendation depends on how many tiles are affected, whether damage is isolated or spread across several slopes, the condition of the underlying roof system, whether flashing or underlayment was compromised, and whether matching material is available. Our inspection determines the scope of the problem before we recommend either path.
Repair is often the right call when only a small number of tiles are damaged, the damage is limited to one section or roof slope, the surrounding tiles remain securely fastened, the underlayment and flashing are still functional, there is no widespread water intrusion, and replacement tiles can be integrated properly with the existing roof.
Replacement may be the more reliable long-term solution when impact, displacement, or water intrusion is widespread — for example, when damage extends across multiple slopes, the underlayment has failed, or flashing problems are widespread. For insurance-related projects, we can document visible damage, prepare a contractor’s scope, and coordinate with the adjuster. Coverage decisions remain with the insurance company under the terms of the homeowner’s policy.
Brava currently advertises a limited “lifetime” warranty with a 50-year coverage period. The warranty is subject to its written terms, including proper installation, timely registration, transfer requirements, exclusions, and limitations. Brava instructs property owners to register the warranty within 30 days. As part of project closeout, you should receive the product information and instructions needed to register your roof with Brava. The warranty should not be described as an unconditional promise that every form of storm damage, fading, installation problem, or roof-system failure will be covered.
Local Insurance Restoration Specialists
Serving Chicagoland homeowners since 2007
We inspect your property at no cost, show you all the photos and explain whether the damage appears sufficient to justify opening a claim.
The results of the inspection are reviewed by three team members so no damage or building code is missed. We then send photographs, measurements, and a detailed written report for your adjuster to review.
A Horizon representative can attend the inspection and clearly present the documented damage.
We communicate with your insurer, review the approved scope, and help address omitted damage or required code items.
We do not begin construction until the claim scope is settled, the work has been explained, and you have authorized us to proceed.
A Brava roof can substantially change the appearance of a home. Before choosing the product, the roof structure, architecture, color palette, and installation requirements should all be evaluated together. Schedule a free inspection with Horizon Restoration to determine whether your home is suitable for Brava, compare Old World Slate and Cedar Shake, review physical samples, identify any decking or ventilation work, and receive a detailed installation proposal.
From the North Shore to the Southwest Suburbs, we have completed thousands of roofing projects — including premium synthetic systems like Brava Old World Slate and Cedar Shake. Explore completed projects near your home on our interactive map.
Brava slate and shake should not be installed as though they were ordinary asphalt shingles. The current installation instructions contain product-specific requirements for decking, layout, exposure, spacing, sidelap, fastening, flashing, accessories, and even temperature during installation. Before you hire, make sure your contractor can speak to:
Brava’s tiles are manufactured using recycled plastics and can be recycled again at the end of the roof’s useful life — a more specific, supportable sustainability benefit than broadly calling the product “fully sustainable.”
Overall great experience! Julius was fantastic to work with. He was very attentive to all the details and always there to answer questions and get the job done right. Whenever he said he would take care of something, he took care of it. The crew did a fantastic job and the workmanship was top notch. I can not believe how quickly they did a full replacement of our sheathing and roof shingles and still did a high quality job. They left the worksite spotlessly clean. We are getting lots of compliments from our neighbors on how good our roof looks. If you want your roof done right, go with this company.
Paul, thank you so much to you and your entire team for our beautiful new roof. We couldn't have made a better choice. Thank you for all your help with the insurance paperwork and for making the whole process so smooth. We highly recommend Chicago Horizon Restoration Roofing Company to anyone looking for quality work and outstanding service! Pamela & Steve
Horizon Restoration did an amazing job on my roof! Paul was fantastic to work with. Super responsive, most important he was honest and really cared about making sure everything was done right. He made what could have been a stressful process feel easy. The crew was fast, clean and very professional. I’m really happy with the result and would definitely recommend them.
Our sales specialist Ronny was awesome through the whole initial process and quoted me a very reasonable estimate to re-shingle garage roof and repair main roof shingles that blew off from heavy winds. The crew came and did an excellent job in one day and left the area clean as it was before. Will definitely use Horizon again and recommend them to everyone that needs any type of roofing work! -Ignacio
Our contact at Horizon Restoration was Art. He worked with our insurance company for over a year and a half to have our roof and siding replaced. The other persons behind the scenes at the office who were instrumental in assisting Art were Paul-Manager, Ruby-who was in charge of all correspondence, Jack-Install Manager who coordinated the crews for both the siding and roof, Claudio-On Site Roofing Manager and Mike-On Site Siding Manager. They worked seamlessly as a team and were always available when we had any questions or concerns. It is so nice to have Horizon Restoration going to bat for us. Especially Art whose experience and knowledge was so key in getting our insurance company to approve the replacement of our roof and siding. Our roof and siding look so nice we highly recommend Art and Horizon Restoration to anyone in need of their services. Thank you Art and Horizon for everything.
