For a typical luxury home in Georgia or South Carolina, a synthetic shake roof investment usually falls in this range:
⭐ $12.50 – $18.50 per square foot installed
(Typical total project range: $38,000 – $90,000+)
This range reflects premium systems such as Brava Synthetic Shake, which are commonly selected in higher-end neighborhoods in and around Atlanta, Alpharetta, Milton, Buckhead, Lake Oconee, Charleston, and Greenville.
Your exact number depends on variables such as:
- Roof size
- Roof complexity and slope
- Color blend selections
- Copper or metal accents
- Underlayment requirements
- Tear-off and decking condition
- Height and site access
- HOA or historic district specifications
We’ll break these elements down in detail.
2. Why Synthetic Shake Costs More Upfront – and Often Less Over Time
High-performance synthetic shake roofing is more expensive than asphalt or builder-grade materials at installation. However, it is engineered to solve the problems that make cheaper roofs expensive over time.
A premium synthetic shake system typically delivers:
- 50+ year design life
- Class 4 impact rating, which may support insurance advantages
- Excellent performance in HOA and historic environments
- Near-zero routine maintenance
- Superior storm and wind performance
- Architectural presence appropriate for luxury homes
When you evaluate total ownership cost instead of just day-one price, synthetic shake frequently outperforms almost every other roofing system.
3. Cost by Material: Brava vs Cedar vs Asphalt vs Other Synthetics
Homeowners rarely look at synthetic shake in isolation. They weigh it against cedar, asphalt, and other composite options.
Typical installed pricing in Georgia and South Carolina:
| Material | Average Cost per Sq Ft Installed | Expected Lifespan | Maintenance Cost | Total 25-Year Cost |
| Brava Synthetic Shake | $12.50–$18.50 | 50+ years | $0 | Lowest overall |
| DaVinci Shake | $11.50–$17.00 | 40–50 years | Low | Moderate |
| Cedar Shake | $10.00–$15.00 | 15–25 years | High | Very high |
| Asphalt Shingles | $3.50–$6.50 | 12–20 years | Moderate/High | Highest overall |
On day one, synthetic shake sits above asphalt and roughly in line with cedar. Over a 25-year window, it typically becomes the least expensive option, because it avoids repeat replacements and ongoing maintenance.
4. Example: Full Cost Breakdown for a Typical Georgia Home (3,000 sq ft)
To make this more concrete, consider a well-appointed 3,000 sq ft home. Depending on design and pitch, the roof surface area is often in the 3,600–4,000 sq ft range.
Brava Synthetic Shake – Sample Cost Structure
| Category | Cost Range |
| Materials | $22,000 – $36,000 |
| Labor | $13,000 – $20,000 |
| Tear-off and Disposal | $2,000 – $4,500 |
| Premium Underlayment | $1,500 – $3,000 |
| Copper Accents (optional) | $2,500 – $7,000 |
| Total Installed Cost | $38,000 – $70,000+ |
Homes with steep pitches, multiple ridgelines and dormers, or extensive architectural detailing can reasonably reach $75,000 – $100,000+.
As you review these numbers, consider not only the installation cost, but how often you intend to replace the roof over the life of the home.
5. Why Brava Is the Leading Synthetic Shake Choice in Georgia and the Carolinas
Brava has become the preferred synthetic shake roofing choice in many of the region’s higher-value communities, including:
- Atlanta and surrounding suburbs
- Alpharetta and Milton
- Buckhead and Sandy Springs
- Lake Oconee and other lake communities
- Greenville, South Carolina
- Charleston and coastal markets
It stands out for several reasons:
- Highly realistic hand-split shake texture
- Advanced color blends and multi-tone realism
- 50+ year design life
- Class 4 impact rating
- Miami-Dade wind certification
- Lightweight profile that is kind to existing structures
- Strong history of HOA and historic-district acceptance
In practice, Brava is selected as much for architectural reasons as for technical ones.
6. The 7 Major Factors That Influence Synthetic Shake Cost
Seven primary variables influence where your project lands within (or outside) the typical range.
1. Roof Size
Larger roofs require more material and labor. Synthetic shake’s value often becomes more evident on larger estates, where replacing an asphalt or cedar roof every 12–20 years becomes a substantial recurring expense.
2. Roof Pitch
Steeper roofs:
- Are slower to navigate
- Require additional safety measures
- Increase labor intensity
Roofs with pitches of 10/12 or steeper can increase overall costs by 10–25 percent.
3. Roof Complexity
Architecturally interesting homes often feature:
- Multiple gables
- Valleys and hips
- Chimneys
- Dormers
- Skylights
Each of these details adds flashing, cutting, and time, which naturally increases the investment.
4. Tear-Off and Disposal
Removing an existing roof introduces:
- Labor for tear-off
- Disposal or container fees
- Additional site protection
If underlying decking requires repair or replacement, that will also be reflected in the final number.
5. Underlayment System
High-end synthetic shake is typically paired with premium underlayments that enhance:
- Water resistance
- Wind performance
- Thermal and structural stability
This adds cost, but it also improves the integrity and longevity of the overall system.
6. Color Blends and Architectural Details
Brava’s multi-blend premium colors and custom touches carry modest premiums. Copper details such as:
- Valleys
- Flashings
- Accent elements
…increase cost, but also elevate curb appeal and perceived value.
7. Installer Expertise
The same material can perform very differently depending on who installs it. Experienced synthetic shake specialists:
- Work more efficiently
- Understand manufacturer specifications
- Protect warranty eligibility
- Deliver cleaner, more controlled job sites
For affluent homeowners, the quality of execution is often as important as the material choice itself.
7. Synthetic Shake vs Cedar Shake Cost in Georgia
Cedar shake once defined luxury roofing. In 2026, it has become one of the most expensive materials to live with over time.
Ongoing Cedar Costs
Cedar typically involves:
- Regular cleaning for mold and algae
- Periodic staining or sealing
- Replacement of rotted or split shakes
- Higher storm-related repair frequency
- Less favorable insurance treatment
Many cedar roofs generate $600 – $2,000 per year in maintenance and repair costs, before accounting for accelerated aging in humid climates.
Synthetic Shake as the Cedar Successor
Premium synthetic shake such as Brava replicates the appearance of cedar while removing:
- Rot
- Warping and splitting
- Surface breakdown
- Ongoing treatment cycles
In most categories, Brava exceeds cedar performance, with a similar or slightly higher upfront investment and dramatically lower lifetime cost.
8. Insurance Considerations with Synthetic Shake
For Georgia and South Carolina homeowners, carrier behavior has become a major part of the roofing conversation.
Class 4 synthetic shake systems like Brava can support:
- More favorable underwriting in some markets
- Fewer disputes over storm damage
- Longer acceptable roof life
- Reduced risk of non-renewal for age or condition
By contrast, older cedar and asphalt systems are more often flagged as higher risk, particularly in hail- and wind-exposed regions.
9. Resale Value: How Synthetic Shake Shows Up at the Closing Table
A synthetic shake roof often improves both the narrative and the numbers when a home is sold.
Buyers and their advisors tend to respond positively to:
- A long-life, low-maintenance roof
- Strong storm and impact performance
- Architecturally appropriate materials
- Reduced likelihood of near-term replacement costs
This often leads to fewer inspection objections, cleaner negotiations, and a stronger perceived value in neighborhoods such as Alpharetta, Milton, Buckhead, Charleston, and lakefront communities.
10. How to Budget for a Synthetic Shake Roof in 2026
As a planning framework, many homeowners in the region use these bands:
- Baseline synthetic shake: $12.50 – $15.50 per sq ft
- Premium profiles and colors: $15.50 – $18.50 per sq ft
- High-complexity or extensive copper work: $20.00+ per sq ft
Some owners treat the project as a strategic capital improvement and coordinate payment timing with other estate or portfolio planning decisions. Others explore financing or structured payment options to spread the investment over time. The right approach depends on your broader financial strategy.
11. Is Synthetic Shake Worth the Cost in 2026?
For homeowners who value:
- Architectural beauty that matches the home
- A 50+ year design life
- Minimal maintenance demands
- Strong performance in Southeast storms
- More favorable insurance positioning than aging cedar or asphalt
- Long-term alignment with HOA and neighborhood standards
…synthetic shake, and specifically Brava Synthetic Shake, is often the most rational choice.
Upfront cost is higher than asphalt and often similar to cedar. Long-term cost is usually lower than both. The real return is the combination of protection, predictability, and preserved dignity at the roofline.
12. Schedule Your Private Synthetic Shake Cost Consultation
If you’d like precise numbers for your home rather than general ranges, the next step is a private consultation.
Your consultation can include:
- A roof and architecture review
- A synthetic shake suitability and investment assessment
- A clear, line-by-line cost outline
- HOA and historic considerations for your community
- Discussion of phasing, timing, and coordination with other projects
Schedule Your Private Synthetic Shake Cost Consultation
Consultations are structured to be discreet, efficient, and focused on giving you the clarity you need to plan with confidence.