Quote Originally Posted by Toolmaker51 View Post
Agreed. My searches uncover attempts to replicate split cedar shakes. Like masonry, texture and color variation make all the difference.
Some people pull them off, flip over and replace. Yeah, on a one story maybe.
My house is 1901, they're getting tired, the real thing way out of budget. Choices; real, stampings, molded vinyl.
Roof peak is almost 4 stories up, first floor (at grade) is brick in great shape. To strip, flip shake and rig/ un rig scaffolding twice? That's 4 or 5 times the labor!
You can try the strip and flip. but if you do be prepared to have to replace at least 50% by the time you are finished. If the roof is more than 30 years old just about all of the lathing strips will have to be replaced. Can't even find a homeowners insurance for wood roofs here Too dry. Same goes for slate roofs, it's called the HAIL belt.
I'm Leary of vinyl because of UV and hail. Stamped painted metal might be the best way to go but, look for a color that already looks aged. So, it doesn't stand out like a diamond in a goat's rear end.