CJM Roofing Specialty
Synthetic & Composite Shake Roofing
The beauty of natural cedar shake with none of the maintenance. CJM Roofing is a trained and certified installer of Brava composite shake roofing, the industry-leading synthetic alternative built for Chicagoland weather.
What Is Synthetic Shake Roofing?
Synthetic shake roofing is a polymer-based composite tile engineered to replicate the look and texture of hand-split natural cedar shakes without the maintenance, fire risk, and shorter lifespan of real wood.
Brava's composite cedar shake tiles are made from compressed recycled plastics and sustainable materials, creating a product that is significantly lighter and more durable than traditional wood shakes. Unlike most plastic shingles on the market, Brava tiles have a thick, substantial profile with color that flows throughout every inch of the tile.
CJM Roofing's crews are trained and certified Brava installers. A roof that is made to last a lifetime will only perform as well as the installation, and we take extra care in planning and detailing to maximize the life of your roof.
Built for Chicagoland Weather
Brava composite shake is engineered to handle everything the Midwest throws at it, from summer hailstorms to brutal freeze-thaw cycles.
Class 4 Impact Rating
The highest rating in the industry. Brava composite shake is hail-warrantied and tested to withstand severe impact, which is critical for homeowners in Chicagoland where hail is a seasonal reality.
Class A or C Fire Rating
Unlike untreated natural cedar, Brava composite tiles meet Class A or Class C fire standards out of the box. No chemical treatments required, and no fire risk that comes with traditional wood shakes.
Wind Resistance
Miami-Dade certified for High-Velocity Hurricane Zones, Brava tiles resist wind uplift up to 188 mph with nails and 211 mph with high-wind screws. Midwest storms are no match.
Rot, Insect & Mold Proof
Composite tiles do not hold water, which means they will not warp, crack, split, or rot. They do not attract fungus or insects. The maintenance headaches of natural wood are completely eliminated.
UV-Protective Color
Thanks to Brava's patented Colorcast mineral-infusion process, color is embedded throughout the tile, not just on the surface. The color will not fade from sun exposure, backed by a transferable 50-year warranty.
Freeze-Thaw Durability
Unlike some competing plastic shingles that become brittle in freezing climates, Brava composite tiles are formulated to withstand the most extreme temperature swings without cracking or degrading.
Why Choose Synthetic Over Natural Cedar?
Natural cedar shake is a beautiful material, and CJM installs it as well. But for many Chicagoland homeowners, synthetic shake is the smarter long-term investment.
The maintenance equation is the biggest factor. Natural cedar requires annual inspections, debris removal, treatment, and periodic replacement of individual shakes. Over a 30-year span, those maintenance costs can exceed the cost of the original roof. Brava composite shake requires virtually zero maintenance for 40 to 50 years.
Fire safety is another significant consideration. Untreated cedar is a combustible material. Synthetic shake meets fire-safety standards without any chemical treatment, and it won't degrade over time the way fire-retardant treatments on natural wood do.
Finally, there's the environmental angle. Brava tiles are made from recycled materials and are fully recyclable at end of life. No trees are harvested, and the product lasts decades longer with less total environmental impact.
Color That Lasts a Lifetime
Brava is the only composite tile manufacturer that offers synthetic roofing products in any custom color or color combination. Unlike dye-based or chemical-based coloring that breaks down under UV exposure, Brava's Colorcast mineral-infusion process bonds color throughout the entire tile.
Each tile has subtle variations in pigment and texture, forged by the manufacturing process itself. The result is a dimensional, authentic appearance where every single tile is a unique variation of color and texture, much like the natural variation found in real cedar.
Palettes are filled from multiple production batches to ensure the kind of natural variation you see in real wood.Brava is so confident in the longevity of their color process that they back it with a transferable 50-year warranty.
Certified Installation with Four Written Guarantees
CJM's crews are trained and certified Brava installers. Every synthetic shake project comes with our four written guarantees: on-time completion, price lock, 10-year workmanship warranty, and clean site daily. The product is built to last a lifetime. Our installation matches.