Project Spotlight: The Mahaffey Home, a DaVinci Award-Winning Slate Tile Renovation
Slate is a beautiful natural material known for its longevity, lasting up to 100 years, possibly longer. Not many seem to account for the fact that, despite its durability, the extreme weather in some places can affect the durability and lifespan of a slate roof.
Take Florida’s weather, for example, with the sun’s near-constant presence, bearing down on roofs, making the colors fade and the products brittle. Or the state’s penchant for intense thunderstorms, hailstorms, or the devastating tornadoes and hurricanes that can cause widespread destruction between the strong winds and flying debris.
That isn’t to say slate is a common roofing material in Florida. In fact, it is a rare choice, with most homes and buildings opting for options like clay and concrete tiles. Still, some homes opt for natural slate roofing, like St. Petersburg, Florida, homeowner Tom Mahaffey.
Maheffey’s Woes Meets Florida Speciality Roofing
Mahaffey learned the woes of a natural slate roof the hard way when, after just 13 years, his roof began to fall apart. His roof’s slate tiles became brittle from the sun exposure, storms, and foot traffic. It left him discouraged, dissatisfied, and in need of a solution before any damage could occur to his home.
For this solution, he turned to Florida Specialty Roofing (FSR), a company based in central Florida focused primarily on premium composite roofing products. The FSR team is well known for their work and was eager to take on the Mahaffey project, and the rare opportunity to work with the slate allowed them to showcase their skills and expertise as roof contractors. But first, they had to choose what brand of composite tiles was right for this project. They needed a reliable option that offered the look of an authentic slate roof.
FSR co-owner and DaVinci Masterpiece Contractor Ryan Kruse didn’t miss a beat on what brand he wanted for the project: DaVinci’s Multi-Width Slate tiles. These combine the aesthetic of slate with the superior performance of composite tiles. These tiles would be able to withstand the high winds of Florida storms, the debris that can hit the roof during hurricanes, and more.
Designing a High-End Composite Roof
The Mahaffey home wasn’t a typical project for the FSR team; the unique architecture of the home meant it needed a unique roof. The team was so successful in their project that they qualified as a winner for the 2023 DaVinci Masterpiece Contractor Project of the Year Award.
With a great deal of care and consideration, as well as the right equipment and a sound team safety plan, the Mahaffey project slowly came together. Throughout the entire process, the FSR leadership team took the time to ensure they met all of the homeowners’ hopes and expectations. This included communicating clearly to the homeowner and respecting their property.
What makes the Mahaffey roof so unique it won an award? First, the DaVinci Multi-Width Slate tiles feature a staggered installation that gives the roof a slightly old-world feel and creates added curb appeal. Then, the FSR team worked on preserving the copper components of the roof, including the dormers so they could be put back in place.
Then there is the home’s cone turret, a feature you don’t see on many homes. For this, the FSR team turned to DaVinci’s customizable turret package, which was integral in tying everything together.
For Kruse and his team, the Mahaffey’s roof encompassed all the aspects of a premium roof project. With the staggered installation of DaVinci’s multi-width tiles and the custom turret, the team took advantage of every design element DaVinci offered. These tiles are combined with custom copper accents and cupolas, creating a truly impressive image and a roof that is a work of art.
The Power of Composite Roofing
As the days went by, the European blend of multi-hued slate tiles slowly went up, and with it came the Mahaffeys’ growing excitement as it all came together.
For Tom Mahaffey, the project gave him peace of mind, knowing his family was protected against Florida’s storms. He also noted that DaVinci’s products increased his home’s value significantly. Then there was the appearance as an added bonus. All of this without sacrificing the aesthetic appearance of a slate roof; it was impossible not to see how the color blend brightened the roof, becoming one of the first things you notice as you drive up, allowing its uniqueness to shine. He is incredibly grateful to the Florida Specialty Roofing team for their work on his home and can’t recommend them enough.
For Kraus and his team, they are grateful to have been trusted with such a project and being chosen as the DaVinci Masterpiece Contractor Project of the Year. For them, the award brings together everything they have worked and strived towards: the art of roofing, high-quality craftsmanship, and a team of highly skilled contractors and staff.
Contact us today to learn more DaVinci Masterpiece products—and discover how Florida Speciality Roofing can transform the exterior of your home.
