Excluding conventional asphalt shingles and green/solar material, this category includes most other synthetics: replica slate made of plastic or other material, replica cedar, concrete shingles, tiles of plastic, fiberglass or cement and numerous other modern material and mixed material products have emerged on the market offering a wide range of choices, insulating capacity, storm wind resistance and other features of special interest in niche markets.

Synthetic roofing panels combine some of the advantages of shingles and of synthetic slate/wood products.

• EcoStar by Carlisle is one of the best known brands of synthetic slate tiles. It is delivered in 9 colors and six styles, all mimicking traditional natural products, but at a lower cost both in material and in installation. In addition to its Majestic Slate line, EcoStar also produces a synthetic cedar line: Seneca Cedar Shake Tiles. The products are also touted as green, they are composed, up to 80% of recycled plastic and rubber.
• Inspire Roofing Products makes synthetic stone in traditional slate shapes using limestone and resins. A Tapco group company.
• Trimline Products makes synthetic slate roofing and synthetic terra cotta tiles in traditional looks. Also green with 58% recycled contents.

Synthetic roofing panels combine some of the advantages of shingles and of synthetic slate/wood products.

• Armor Lite Roofing produces two foot by four foot panels in profiles greater than one inch thick. These panels integrate some insulating material, a base and a covering of synthetic material manufactuered to resemble slate or wood. The panels go on a roof in a similar manner to shingles and have a tongue and groove structure. Based in Santa Ana, CA.

Specialty products are available to roofing contractors and builders to convert flat roof areas into usable decks. These specially engineered systems spread loads to reduce leakage hazards.

• Envirospec, Inc. produces the PAVE-EL product to convert roofs to decks. The aggregate stone surfaces rest on load spreading spacer blocks which also level the surface for safe use as a walkable surface.

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