Architectural roof systems, installed like art.
Synthetic slate, standing seam metal, copper, cedar shake, and clay tile — the materials Houston's most distinctive homes ask for, installed to manufacturer spec with full warranty registration.
When the roof is part of the architecture.
Custom roofing isn't an upgrade — it's a different category of work. A DaVinci synthetic slate roof, a standing seam copper roof, a Spanish clay tile roof, or a hand-laid cedar shake roof requires installation skills, flashing details, and substrate planning that asphalt shingle crews simply don't carry.
Our custom-roofing crews are GAF and Owens Corning certified for asphalt — and DaVinci, GAF-Englert (metal), and CertainTeed certified for the premium systems we install. We carry the warranty paperwork to prove it, and we use the same crews on River Oaks, Tanglewood, Memorial, The Woodlands, and Bellaire that we use everywhere else.
If your architect drew it, your insurance adjuster respects it, or your HOA insists on it, we can build it — and warranty it the way the manufacturer expects.
Services built around the work.
Synthetic slate (DaVinci)
DaVinci Roofscapes Masterpiece™ multi-width slate and Bellaforté tiles — Class 4 impact rated, Class A fire rated, 50-year limited lifetime warranty. The slate look without the weight or the brittleness.
Standing seam metal
24-gauge Galvalume® and ZINCALUME® standing seam panels with concealed fasteners and matching ridge, hip, valley, and trim. 30–50 year paint warranty. Up 45% YoY in upscale Houston neighborhoods.
Copper roofing & accents
Full copper roof systems for bay windows, dormers, turrets, and full slopes. We hand-form pans, standing seams, and decorative flashings. Develops the patina over 5–15 years that asphalt can never imitate.
Spanish & clay tile
Boral, Eagle, and Crown clay and concrete tile in S-tile, mission, and flat profiles — the right answer for Mediterranean, Spanish Colonial Revival, and Mission Revival homes throughout Memorial and The Woodlands.
Cedar shake & shingle
Hand-split cedar shake and tapersawn shingle — plus synthetic alternatives (DaVinci, EcoStar Majestic Slate) that pass Houston's wildfire and impact requirements without losing the rustic look.
Specialty flashing & details
Custom copper crickets behind chimneys, snow rail systems where they matter, hand-soldered standing seam panel hooks, radiused valleys for curved roofs. The details that separate a custom roof from a normal one.
Why architect-spec roofing belongs with a certified contractor.
Manufacturer-certified for every system we install
DaVinci-certified for synthetic slate, GAF-Englert and McElroy Metal trained for standing seam, CertainTeed for cedar — and the manufacturer warranty registration to prove it. Without certification, the homeowner inherits the warranty risk.
Substrate and structural planning
Clay tile weighs 9–12 lbs per square foot. Slate weighs 800–1,500 lbs per square. Standing seam needs continuous decking and ice-and-water shield with the right thermal-cycle tolerance. We coordinate with your structural engineer or HOA architect before the first nail.
Flashing and water management
Custom roofs live or die on chimney crickets, valley diverters, head walls, and step flashing. Our crews hand-form copper and stainless flashings on-site — we don't try to bend a one-size-fits-all aluminum kit around a complex roof.
Color, profile, and HOA coordination
River Oaks, Memorial, and Tanglewood HOAs have specific approved profile and color lists. We bring full-size sample boards to your home, photograph them in your home's natural light, and submit HOA paperwork on your behalf.
Single point of accountability
One contract, one project manager, one warranty file. We don't subcontract custom roof installs to a metal crew or a tile crew — the same in-house team handles your project from tear-off to final walkthrough.
Quick answers to the most common questions.
What is custom roofing, and how is it different from a normal roof replacement?
Custom roofing covers any roof system beyond standard asphalt shingles — synthetic slate, standing seam metal, copper, cedar shake, and clay or concrete tile. These systems use different installation methods, flashing details, structural loads, and certified installers than asphalt. We install both, but custom roofing is a separate quote, separate timeline, and separate manufacturer warranty.
How much does a custom roof cost in Houston?
Custom roofs typically run $18–$45 per square foot installed in Greater Houston, depending on material and complexity. Synthetic slate (DaVinci) starts around $18–$24. Standing seam metal runs $20–$30. Clay or concrete tile runs $22–$32. Cedar shake runs $20–$28. Copper or specialty hand-formed work starts around $30 and goes up. Every project gets a written, itemized estimate after an on-site visit.
How long does a custom roof last in Houston?
Synthetic slate (DaVinci) carries a 50-year limited lifetime warranty and routinely outlasts it. Standing seam metal lasts 40–70 years with the original paint warranty covering 30–50. Clay tile and slate last 50–100+ years with proper underlayment maintenance. Cedar shake lasts 25–40 years in Houston humidity with proper ventilation. Synthetic cedar matches the look with a 50-year warranty.
Does a custom roof improve my insurance premium or resale value?
Yes on both. Class 4 impact-rated synthetic slate, metal, and tile often qualify for 10–35% Texas wind/hail premium discounts. Resale comps in Memorial, River Oaks, and Tanglewood routinely show 4–8% appraisal lift on homes with architect-appropriate custom roofs versus asphalt — your local appraiser can confirm the local data.
Will my HOA approve the material I want?
Most luxury Houston HOAs (River Oaks, Tanglewood, Memorial, The Woodlands) maintain approved-material lists. Before you commit to a color or profile, we pull the latest HOA architectural standards, build a sample submission package, and walk it through their review process. We do this before the project starts — not after.
Can custom roofing handle Houston hail and hurricane wind?
Yes — when specified correctly. DaVinci synthetic slate is Class 4 impact and Miami-Dade hurricane approved. Standing seam metal is Class 4 impact and rated for 140+ mph wind uplift with the right clip schedule. Clay tile passes 110-mph wind ratings with proper foam adhesive and screw-down attachment. We over-fasten Houston coastal jobs as a matter of policy.
While we're here, we can also handle…
- Roof Replacement
For asphalt shingle replacements, the full residential tear-off, decking, and warranty registration process.
- Interior Remodeling
Pair the architectural roof with interior renovations from the same trusted crew — kitchens, baths, whole-home.
- Gutters
Custom roofs deserve custom gutters. We fabricate seamless copper, painted aluminum, and half-round profiles to match.