IN case you didn’t see our post on “Why TPO is the best choice for commercial & industrial roofing” here’s what TPO is.
A TPO, Thermoplastic Polyolefin, roof is a thin rubber like single ply roofing material for low-slope roofs. It’s been used on commercial and industrial roofs since the late 1980s in both the US & Europe. It was initially used in pond liners and the auto industry. It is an alternative solution to other roofing materials such as PVC, EPDM & others and usually cheaper.
A TPO roof has several benefits. They are as follows:
- First and foremost, compared to other roofing materials such as rubber, PVC & EPDM, TPO is usually cheaper with similar longevity. With regard to longevity, it’s worth stating that TPO has only been out for a while; shorter than PVC & EPDM. So the longevity isn’t known compared to PVC & EPDM. However, everything is showing that it has good longevity especially when installed by an experienced professional.
- TPO is more environmentally friendly. It’s UV resistant and heat-resistant like EPDM. It’s also the greenest, environmentally friendly single-ply roof material available. It contains no chlorine, even the welding process has no chlorine in it. Finally, it’s 100% recyclable.
- Heat-weldable like PVC for flexibility of use. AND because you can weld it, it can also be repaired if something happens. The welded seems are stronger than EPDM. Depending on what you read, the welded seams of TPO can be 3-4 times stronger than EPDM.
- Though the choice of colors are limited you still choices: white, light grey and black.
- TPO resists: mold growth, dirt accumulation, tears and punctures. It also resists those same tears and punctures due to a building’s movement or settling as well as thermal expansion due to environmental conditions such as heat and cold.
- TPO is easier to install and with less seams.
- Resistant to chemicals (think air-conditioning coolants & lubricants), acid, salt, oil, airborne bacteria, etc.
- TPO roofs are easy to install, but we most certainly we recommend someone that has been trained and has experience such as Flat Roofs by Pegram.