CertainTeed Presidential Shake vs DaVinci Bellaforte vs GAF Grand Sequoia: Premium Shake Compared
6min Read
Posted 5.01.2026
The Wayzata homeowner replacing 35-year-old cedar shake had three quotes on his desk last May. One for CertainTeed Presidential Shake. One for DaVinci Bellaforte Shake. One for GAF Grand Sequoia. All three reproduce a cedar-shake aesthetic. All three are Class 4 impact rated. All three carry similar warranties. The price spread between them was $34,000.
That spread is real, but the products are not interchangeable. They look similar from 30 feet but read very differently up close, install differently, and age differently in Minnesota freeze-thaw conditions.
I am Noah Bergland, co-owner of Owl Roofing in Shoreview. Below is the head-to-head comparison of the three premium shake-look options most luxury Twin Cities homeowners are choosing between in 2026.
TL;DR — premium shake products in one paragraph
Bottom line: DaVinci Bellaforte is composite tile, $13–$19/sq ft installed, 50-year warranty, the most authentic cedar-look at scale. CertainTeed Presidential Shake is luxury asphalt, $7–$11/sq ft installed, lifetime warranty, dramatic shadow but reads as asphalt up close. GAF Grand Sequoia is luxury asphalt at $6–$10/sq ft, lifetime warranty, the value-tier shake-look. For Tudor or French Country where authentic shake reads as critical — DaVinci. For Colonial or transitional where dramatic shadow is enough — CertainTeed Presidential. For budget-conscious shake aesthetic — GAF Grand Sequoia.
Head-to-head comparison
| Spec | DaVinci Bellaforte Shake | CertainTeed Presidential Shake | GAF Grand Sequoia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Composite polymer | Luxury asphalt | Luxury asphalt |
| Per sq ft installed | $13–$19 | $7–$11 | $6–$10 |
| 5,000 sq ft home | $65,000–$95,000 | $35,000–$55,000 | $30,000–$50,000 |
| Service life | 50 years | 25–35 years | 25–30 years |
| Warranty | 50-year limited | Lifetime limited | Lifetime limited |
| Class 4 impact | Yes | Yes | Yes (with IR variant) |
DaVinci Bellaforte — when authentic shake matters
DaVinci Bellaforte Shake is virgin-resin polymer composite, molded from real cedar shake textures. From 10 feet, it reads as cedar. From 100 feet, it is indistinguishable. The aesthetic fidelity is the highest in the synthetic-shake category.
The 50-year warranty and -40°F engineered cold-temperature performance make it the right answer on premium Tudor or French Country homes in North Oaks, Wayzata, and the Lake Minnetonka shoreline where cedar shake is being replaced and the architectural intent must be preserved.
CertainTeed Presidential Shake — luxury asphalt with dramatic shadow
CertainTeed Presidential Shake is a luxury asphalt shingle with a deep, irregular shadow line designed to mimic shake. From 100 feet, it reads as shake. From 30 feet, it reads as a really good asphalt shingle.
For Colonial and transitional architecture where the shake-look is desired but the architecture does not strictly require authentic shake, Presidential Shake is often the smarter economic choice — half the cost of synthetic, lifetime warranty, Class 4 impact rated.
GAF Grand Sequoia — the value-tier shake aesthetic
GAF Grand Sequoia is a luxury asphalt shingle at the budget end of the shake-look category. Slightly less dramatic shadow than Presidential Shake but at $1–$2 per square foot less. Lifetime warranty (limited).
For Twin Cities homeowners wanting a shake aesthetic on a Colonial or traditional home with a tighter budget, Grand Sequoia is the right answer. The visual difference vs Presidential is real but small.
“Worked with Noah and it was a great experience. He was very responsive to any questions I had. Good team did a great job getting the roof replaced.”
— Verified Google review, Twin Cities homeowner
The decision framework
DaVinci Bellaforte if: Tudor, French Country, English Country, or replacing existing cedar shake on a North Oaks, Wayzata, or Lake Minnetonka home where authentic-shake aesthetic is critical. 30+ year ownership horizon.
CertainTeed Presidential Shake if: Colonial, transitional, or traditional architecture where dramatic shadow line and shake aesthetic are desired but authentic shake is not strictly required. 15–25 year ownership horizon.
GAF Grand Sequoia if: Same architectural fit as Presidential Shake but with a tighter budget. The $1–$2 per square foot savings adds up on larger homes.
What Owl Roofing Customers Actually Say
Real, verified Google reviews from real customers Owl Roofing maintains a 5.0 Google rating with 30+ five-star reviews.
Noah is the real deal. After our insurance denied our roof claim and the first roofer walked away, Noah showed up the next day and said he thought he could get us a new roof. He delivered. He got us a roof covered by insurance after it had already been declined. We came up with a nickname for him: “The Roof Whisperer.”
— Tyler Moberg, verified Google review
I am an Independent Insurance Agency owner and have worked with Noah on several roof projects. The homeowners have been extremely satisfied with the quality of work and craftsmanship Noah and his crews have provided. From filing the claim to replacing the roof and cleaning up the job site, Noah and his crew are the best!
— Fred Zappa, Independent Insurance Agency Owner
We used Owl Roofing for a repair on our roof in Brooklyn Park, and I was blown away by how good they were. Every member of the team communicated well about the process. Their price transparency was super helpful. They got the work done very fast, and the team was professional and very kind.
— Matt Brown, Brooklyn Park (verified Google review)
Noah and his team are outstanding! His clear communication, professionalism, and workmanship are top-notch. I recommend Owl Roofing to all my clients, friends, and family.
— Christine Westlund, verified Google review
It didn’t feel like dealing with a big company — it felt like working with people who actually care about the homes and community in the North Oaks and Shoreview area. Great people, great communication, and really solid work.
— Cody Warren, verified Google review
Frequently asked questions
How much does premium shake roofing cost in the Twin Cities?
$6–$19 per square foot installed depending on product. GAF Grand Sequoia $6–$10. CertainTeed Presidential Shake $7–$11. DaVinci Bellaforte Shake $13–$19.
Which shake-look product looks most authentic?
DaVinci Bellaforte Shake — composite polymer molded from real shake textures. From 10 feet it reads as cedar. CertainTeed Presidential and GAF Grand Sequoia are luxury asphalt shingles with dramatic shadow but read as asphalt up close.
Will all three qualify for Class 4 insurance discounts in Minnesota?
Yes. All three carry UL 2218 Class 4 impact ratings (GAF requires the IR variant). Most major Minnesota carriers offer 10–30% premium discounts for Class 4 roofs.
Which shake-look product lasts longest?
DaVinci Bellaforte at 50-year service life. CertainTeed Presidential 25–35 years. GAF Grand Sequoia 25–30 years.
Can shake-look asphalt replace cedar shake on a North Oaks home?
Possibly, if the HOA approves and the architecture allows for the slightly less authentic look. Most North Oaks HOA committees prefer DaVinci Bellaforte or Brava Cedar Shake for cedar replacement projects.
Where to start
To request a free luxury reroof estimate, fill out a short form. We are based in Shoreview, BBB Accredited, family-owned, and we install all three shake-look products across North Oaks, Wayzata, Edina, and Minnetonka.
For more, see synthetic slate cedar replacement, $100K+ reroof guide, and Twin Cities premium exteriors guide. To see the brands we install, visit brands and materials.
