Building owners today have more options when choosing commercial roofing materials than they ever have in the past. While that makes it easier to customize a roofing system for your needs and budget, it also means you have to research and understand all of your options before making a smart decision. Here’s how you can decide if TPO roofing is right for your next roofing project.
What Does TPO Stand for in Roofing?
A thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) membrane roof is a single-ply thermoplastic roofing material for flat and low-slope commercial roofs. One of its hallmark characteristics is a bright white finish. TPO has become one of the most popular options on the roofing market today due to affordability, durability, and energy efficiency.
Thermoplastic polyolefin itself is a polymer blend that’s chemical resistant, impact resistant, lightweight, and doesn’t break down when exposed to UV light. Together, these qualities make TPO an excellent choice as a commercial roofing membrane.
The Benefits of TPO Roofing
TPO roofs provide a number of benefits to building owners, including cost effectiveness, energy savings, and ease of installation. Compared to alternative single-ply roofing materials, TPO is generally more affordable per square foot, yet it still offers the same durability and quality of other roofing systems.
Since TPO roofs are white by default, they provide a reflective roofing surface for your building that reduces the cooling load on HVAC systems and saves you money, especially during the hot Georgia summers. Lastly, TPO sheets are wide and lightweight, so they result in fewer seams, they’re easier to install, and you save installation time and money.
How Are TPO Roofs Installed?
TPO roofs offer several installation and customization options to match your roofing goals and budget. A TPO membrane can be attached to the roof cover board with a bonding adhesive or mechanical fasteners. Seams in the membrane are welded together with hot air to form a more durable bond than other methods.
Along with how it’s secured to the roof, you can also choose the insulation qualities, fire-resistance ratings, and the finish of a TPO roofing system. Since a single-ply system like TPO doesn’t include insulation, you have the flexibility to choose the right insulation for your facility. TPO membranes can also be manufactured to your specific fire rating requirements while the finish can be customized to optimize reflectivity.
TPO Roofs vs. PVC Roofs
Closely related to TPO roofing, PVC roofs are another popular single-ply membrane material. While both are thermoplastics with similar qualities, they differ slightly in a few aspects, including:\
Cost
Per square foot, TPO is cheaper than PVC with both materials requiring similar installation times. However, at times, TPO can be slightly more labor intensive to install.
Installation
Depending on whether you select glued or welded seams for your TPO installation, it may require slightly more work than a PVC roof.
Energy Efficiency
Both TPO and PVC have natural reflective characteristics, which significantly increase the energy efficiency of your building during hot summers. The smoother the surface, the better the reflectivity characteristics because it’s more difficult for dirt and debris to build up over time.
Longevity and Durability
Since TPO roofing membranes lack plasticizers, they generally last slightly longer than PVC roofing systems. They tend to weather better and stand up against long-term heat exposure. However, PVC roofs offer better chemical resistance.
Do You Have a TPO Roof?
Whether you already have a TPO roof or you’re exploring TPO as an option for your next commercial roof installation, the experts at New Image Roofing Atlanta can help. We specialize in installing, repairing, and maintaining TPO roofs of all sizes. Plus, we can help you make a smart decision about which type of single-ply membrane to install on your commercial building.
To get started, contact our experts today and schedule a free roof inspection or project consultation. We back all of our services with a lifetime labor guarantee, so you can always be confident the job gets done right the first time around.
