BRAVA Roof Tile and Florida Specialty Roofing donated the materials and installation services for the castle’s 30/square reroof. Drexel supplied the metal and flashing, while FLS Roofing Supply provided the dry-in and accessory materials.

Give Kids The World is an independent nonprofit storybook resort that provides weeklong, cost-free vacations to children with critical illnesses and their families. Since 1989, the 89-acre resort has worked with more than 200 wish/granting organizations around the world. 

The Castle of Miracles holds nearly 200,000 gold stars placed by children who have visited the Village. Each child personalizes a star that becomes part of a permanent display across the castle ceiling and in the neighboring Star Tower and Star Observatory.

A Complex Roof With No Room for Failure

The castle’s previous roof was chosen to withstand Florida weather, but the material did not provide the expected ultraviolet protection. Over time, pieces fell from the roof and were found in the landscaping, according to the project case study provided to Roofing Contractor.

Replacing it presented several technical challenges. The castle includes steep, difficult to access roof sections, cone- and sphere-shaped forms, and an intersection with an oversized mushroom structure that shelters a carousel. Waterproofing and flashing had to accommodate those unusual features without disrupting the Village’s daily operations. 

The team also needed to preserve the castle’s whimsical appearance. The replacement material had to reproduce the color, widths and texture of natural cedar while providing the durability required in a region prone to hurricanes.

“BRAVA was the top manufacturer and product for this application. They have such realistic-looking synthetic shake product that we were able to get a multi/width look and match the color that Give Kids The World needed,” said Ryan Kruse, co-owner of Florida Specialty Roofing. 

Matching the Castle’s Look

Florida Specialty Roofing installed the tiles in a staggered pattern to recreate the intentionally irregular appearance of a traditional cedar shake roof while meeting applicable code requirements.

Florida Specialty Roofing planned the installation around guests, volunteers and employees who moved through the area throughout the day.

The project used BRAVA Composite Cedar Shake in Aspen, including field tiles, solid tiles, starter pieces, and hip and ridge components.

“BRAVA actually matched more closely the look we currently had on the castle, which is very whimsical, with the longevity we needed,” said Michael Bausman, Give Kids The World’s director of facilities resources. “Like I say, at the bottom of our mission statement, which I helped write years and years ago, there’s a line that says, ‘for as long as there is a need.’ BRAVA was actually the product that fit that allows us to keep doing that so we can serve these families for as long as there is a need. And I see this as being a 40, 50 year project for us up there.”

Photos: The Castle of Miracles

Kissimmee, FL

Photos courtesy of BRAVA Roofing