EcoStar synthetic slate roofing is a lightweight tile made mostly from recycled rubber and plastic that mimics the look of natural slate and cedar shake at a fraction of the weight. The flagship line, Majestic Slate (now branded Traditional Slate), uses roughly 80% recycled EPDM rubber and TPO plastic, carries a UL 2218 Class 4 impact rating, a 110 mph wind warranty, and a 50-year limited material warranty. What most brand pages skip is the detail that actually matters at purchase: EcoStar ships tiles in both UL 790 Class A and Class C fire configurations depending on color and batch, and it is the only major synthetic slate built from recycled rubber rather than virgin resin. Both facts change the decision.
What is EcoStar synthetic slate roofing?
EcoStar synthetic slate roofing is a polymer tile engineered to replicate natural slate and wood shake using recycled rubber (EPDM) and plastic (TPO). It weighs far less than stone, so most roof decks accept it without added structural framing. EcoStar sells synthetic slate and shake profiles, not asphalt shingles or metal.
The formulation traces back to the early 1970s and the Starloy (Staroba Alloy) compound. The first synthetic slate tiles were sold in the United States in 1993. Carlisle SynTec purchased the sales and marketing side of the business in 1998, with Staroba Plastics kept on as the exclusive manufacturer, per EcoStar’s own company history. That lineage is why installers often describe EcoStar as one of the older and more field-proven names in the category rather than a recent entrant.
The recycled composition sets it apart. Where competitors mold tiles from virgin engineered resin, EcoStar’s Majestic and Seneca lines are built from about 80% recycled rubber and plastic. That gives the tile flexibility and a genuine environmental story, and it is the single biggest technical difference buyers weigh against DaVinci and Brava.
EcoStar product lines: Majestic Slate, Empire Slate, and shake
EcoStar organizes its roofing around two slate lines and two shake lines. The Majestic and Seneca products lead on recycled content, while the Empire products lead on color range. Choosing between them usually comes down to whether recycled content or a specific color match matters more.
- Majestic Slate (Traditional Slate): the flagship slate tile, about 80% recycled rubber and plastic, offered in 11 standard colors.
- Empire Slate: a slate profile made from about 25% recycled material, offered in 14 standard colors for wider design matching.
- Seneca Shake: a cedar-shake alternative built on the higher recycled-content formula.
- Empire Shake: a shake profile using the 25% recycled formula and the broader 14-color palette.
Majestic Slate tiles come in 10 inch or 12 inch widths by 18 inches long, with a tapered nominal thickness of 1/4 inch. Individual tiles weigh roughly 1.5 pounds, and a 25-tile pack runs about 37 pounds, which is why crews handle it more like a heavy shingle than like stone slate. For a broader look at the category, see our guide to composite slate and tile roofing.
EcoStar specs: fire, impact, and wind ratings
EcoStar Majestic Slate carries a UL 2218 Class 4 impact rating (the highest tier), a 110 mph wind warranty, and a UL 790 fire listing. The important nuance is the fire class: EcoStar ships tiles in both Class A and Class C configurations, so the rating you get depends on the specific color, batch, and roof assembly rather than a single blanket number.
Class 4 impact is the top rung of the UL 2218 hail test and is the rating many insurers reward with premium discounts in hail-prone states. On fire, distributor listings show the same Majestic Slate profile sold as both UL 790 Class A (for example, the Black tile) and UL 790 Class C (some pre-blended color batches). Buyers in wildfire and wildland-urban-interface zones should confirm they are quoting the Class A SKU and the underlayment assembly that carries the Class A listing, not assume every color qualifies.
| Attribute | Majestic Slate | Empire Slate / Empire Shake |
|---|---|---|
| Recycled content | ~80% (rubber + plastic) | ~25% |
| Colors | 11 standard | 14 standard |
| Impact (UL 2218) | Class 4 | Class 4 |
| Fire (UL 790) | Class A or Class C (config dependent) | Class A or Class C (config dependent) |
| Wind warranty | 110 mph | 110 mph |
| Warranty | 50-year limited material; Gold Star labor and material available | 50-year limited material |
| Installed cost (2026) | $900 to $1,200 per square | $700 to $1,100 per square |
Ratings above reflect published manufacturer and distributor specifications, not independent lab testing by The Roofing Brief. Confirm the current listed rating for the exact color and assembly before you sign.
How much does EcoStar synthetic slate roofing cost in 2026?
EcoStar synthetic slate roofing typically runs $700 to $1,200 per square (100 square feet) installed in 2026, depending on the line and roof complexity. Majestic Slate sits at the top of that band because of its higher recycled content, while Empire Slate and the shake profiles run lower. Materials account for roughly 55% to 65% of the total and labor the rest.
| Line | Installed cost per square (2026) | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Majestic Slate | $900 to $1,200 | Buyers who want maximum recycled content and slate realism |
| Empire Slate | $700 to $1,000 | Slate look with the widest color range at a lower price |
| Seneca Shake | $800 to $1,100 | Cedar-shake look with high recycled content |
These are conditional ranges reported by roofing suppliers, not fixed quotes. Actual pricing moves with roof pitch, tear-off, regional labor rates, and color availability. On a straightforward 2,000 square foot roof (20 squares), a Majestic Slate job would land roughly in the $18,000 to $24,000 range on those figures, though steep or cut-up roofs push higher. For how per-square math translates to a full roof, see our composite slate and tile roofing cost breakdown.
EcoStar warranty explained
EcoStar backs Majestic Slate with a 50-year limited material warranty against manufacturing defects, and a 50-year Gold Star labor and material warranty is available through certified installers. The material warranty is transferable to a new owner and is prorated, with the strongest protection concentrated in the first 25 years before coverage steps down.
The Gold Star warranty is the one to ask about if you want labor covered, because a bare material warranty pays for replacement tiles but not the crew to install them. Gold Star coverage requires an EcoStar-certified contractor and the specified assembly, so the installer you choose determines whether that tier is even on the table. Read the proration schedule closely: a 50-year headline does not mean full replacement value in year 40.
EcoStar vs DaVinci vs Brava
EcoStar, DaVinci Roofscapes, and Brava are the three names most buyers cross-shop for synthetic slate. All three hit Class 4 impact. The real split is composition and warranty term: EcoStar uses recycled rubber and plastic, DaVinci uses virgin resin with a lifetime materials warranty, and Brava uses virgin resin that reaches Class A fire without special underlayment and posts the highest wind numbers.
| Spec | EcoStar Majestic Slate | DaVinci Roofscapes | Brava |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | ~80% recycled EPDM rubber + TPO plastic | Virgin resin with UV stabilizers | Virgin resin, color through the tile, recyclable |
| Impact (UL 2218) | Class 4 | Class 4 | Class 4 |
| Fire (UL 790) | Class A or Class C (config dependent) | Class A with proper underlayment | Class A, standalone (no special underlayment) |
| Wind | 110 mph warranty | 110 mph rated; 180 mph hurricane-zone tested | Up to 188 mph (nail) or 211 mph (screw) |
| Warranty | 50-year limited material | Lifetime limited materials (residential) | 50-year limited |
If recycled content and a long field record drive your decision, EcoStar leads. If you want the longest paper warranty, DaVinci’s lifetime materials term is stronger. If you are in a high-wind coastal or wildfire zone, Brava’s standalone Class A fire and higher wind ratings are the cleanest fit. For the full breakdowns, read our DaVinci Roofscapes review and our Brava roof tile review.
Who EcoStar synthetic slate roofing is best for
EcoStar is the best fit for homeowners who want an authentic slate or cedar look, prioritize recycled content, and are roofing in a hail region where a Class 4 impact rating earns an insurance discount. It is a weaker fit for coastal high-wind builds and for buyers who want a lifetime rather than 50-year materials warranty.
Pros
- About 80% recycled rubber and plastic content, the strongest environmental story of the major synthetic slates.
- UL 2218 Class 4 impact rating that often qualifies for hail-zone insurance discounts.
- Light enough for most decks without added structural framing, unlike natural slate.
- Long field history, with the tile sold in the US since the 1990s and few documented product failures relative to other synthetic-slate brands.
Cons
- Fire class is not universal: some color batches are UL 790 Class C, not Class A, so wildfire-zone buyers must verify the SKU.
- Materials warranty tops out at 50 years and is prorated, shorter than DaVinci’s lifetime term.
- The rubber-based surface can show dirt and mud, which affects appearance over time.
- Results depend heavily on an experienced, ideally certified, installer.
A note on the category: synthetic slate as a whole has a mixed track record in the US, with several brands drawing class-action complaints and early replacements over the years. Contractor and homeowner sentiment we reviewed puts EcoStar among the better-regarded names rather than a problem brand, but that reflects aggregated field reports, not lab testing on our part. For the shake versions specifically, compare against our guide to synthetic cedar shake roofing.
Frequently asked questions
Is EcoStar Majestic Slate any good?
EcoStar Majestic Slate is regarded by many roofing contractors as one of the better synthetic slate products because it balances realistic appearance with durability, and it has been installed in the US since the 1990s with relatively few documented product failures. The main cautions are that some color batches carry only a Class C fire rating and the surface can show dirt over time. Installation quality still drives the outcome.
How much does an EcoStar synthetic slate roof cost?
EcoStar synthetic slate roofing runs roughly $700 to $1,200 per square (100 square feet) installed in 2026. Majestic Slate is the priciest line at $900 to $1,200 per square, Empire Slate is lower at $700 to $1,000, and Seneca Shake sits around $800 to $1,100. Materials are about 55% to 65% of the total. A typical 20-square roof lands near $18,000 to $24,000 for Majestic Slate.
What is EcoStar Majestic Slate made of?
EcoStar Majestic Slate is made from roughly 80% recycled rubber and plastic, specifically EPDM rubber and TPO plastic. That recycled composition is what separates it from DaVinci and Brava, which mold their tiles from virgin engineered resin. The recycled formula gives the tile flexibility and a strong environmental profile, though it can show dirt more than a resin surface.
Does EcoStar have a Class A fire rating?
EcoStar tiles are UL 790 fire listed, but the class depends on the configuration. Distributor listings show the same Majestic Slate profile sold as both Class A and Class C depending on color, batch, and roof assembly. Buyers in wildfire or wildland-urban-interface zones should confirm they are quoting the Class A SKU and the specific underlayment assembly that earns the Class A listing.
How long does an EcoStar roof last?
EcoStar markets Majestic Slate to last as long as or longer than metal, clay tile, concrete, or natural slate, and backs it with a 50-year limited material warranty. Real-world lifespan depends on installation quality, climate, and roof assembly. Because the tile is impact and freeze-thaw resistant, it tends to avoid the cracking and breakage that shortens natural slate life, but the warranty term, not a fixed lifespan, is the number to plan around.
Is EcoStar the same as DaVinci?
No. EcoStar and DaVinci Roofscapes are separate manufacturers with different materials. EcoStar uses about 80% recycled rubber and plastic and offers a 50-year limited material warranty, while DaVinci uses virgin resin and offers a lifetime limited materials warranty on residences. Both reach Class 4 impact. EcoStar leads on recycled content; DaVinci leads on warranty term.
Reviewed by The Roofing Brief Team. Last reviewed August 2026.