Originally Published as: Synthetic Solution: authentic Look with Modern Safety Standards
In a remarkable feat of historical preservation and architectural innovation, a once-modest shepherd’s dwelling in Warsaw, Poland, has found a new lease on life over 5,000 miles away in Edwards, Colorado. Kevin Milbery, a local resident and history enthusiast, spearheaded the ambitious project to relocate and restore the nearly century-old huts, turning them into a testament to the endurance and transportability of heritage.
Two major factors needed to be addressed for this project: maintaining the historical importance of the structures and addressing Colorado’s dynamic climate, known for its large daily and seasonal temperature swings. Rocky Valley Contractors, a local family-owned business based in the Vail Valley, took on the restoration project under the guidance of Roy Valenzuela. The original cedar shake roof posed a significant challenge due to local building codes in Eagle County, which prohibit materials prone to fire risks. Looking for a solution that addressed both the fire risks and the historical authenticity, Rocky Valley turned to BRAVA Roof Tile. Brava’s synthetic cedar shake roofing emerged as the perfect solution, offering the authentic appearance of natural wood while meeting safety standards.
“That’s what homeowners are looking for,” admits Valenzuela. “They don’t want to miss that shake look … but they’re not allowed to go back to wood.”
Valenzuela and his team’s choice was influenced by the product’s ability to mimic the textures and shades of old-growth cedar, crucial for maintaining the home’s rustic charm. The synthetic roofing tiles not only enhanced the home’s aesthetic but also provided superior performance against the elements of Colorado’s often harsh climate. This installation secured the building’s structural integrity, ensuring that the shepherd’s original carvings and the home’s legacy could be preserved for future generations.
“With a natural shake roof,” Valenzuela continues, “you always have to do something every other year, go back to do some maintenance. You use composite (synthetic) — you do it once, and that’s it. You’re done. You’re set for the next 20-plus years.”
The successful integration of BRAVA’s synthetic roofing tiles into this project underscores the product’s role in the seamless fusion of traditional aesthetics with cutting-edge material science, offering a blueprint for similar heritage preservation projects worldwide. The rich, deep shades present in old-growth cedar have been expertly captured in BRAVA’s synthetic shake roofing tiles, making them even more accessible to a wide range of projects and customer preferences. BRAVA roofing tile products also undergo extensive testing in order to provide the highest levels of performance. They carry third-party certifications for the highest levels of wind, fire, and hail, as well as a 50-year limited warranty. This makes the decision even easier for homeowners and contractors alike.
“We feel like we almost are museum keepers rather than house owners,” notes Milbery. “We feel very fortunate.”
