Whether you plan to install a new roof or replace it, we highly recommend using TPO.

Thermoplastic Polyolefin roofing, better known as TPO roofing, is a popular and common design to many industrial and commercial roofing today. It’s a single-ply roofing system that’s gained popularity because of its bright design and durability.

If you aren’t familiar with TPO roofs just yet, we’re here to help you! What are you waiting for? It’s time to get to know TPO roofs and be updated about the industry’s latest roofing styles!

Essential Features of TPO Roofing

Thermoplastic Polyolefin roofs consist of different layers of a single-ply membrane, comprising different synthetic materials to help strengthen and stabilize the TPO membrane. 

Many people already using TPO roofs find this feature highly remarkable, considering the overall make of the TPO’s design and durability.

Although its name sounds highly technical and foreign to some, understanding the basic features of a TPO roof is relatively simple and easy to remember. By understanding the characteristics of TPO roofs, you’re better informed of your decision.

Here are some of the notable features TPO has over other roofing types.

1. Very durable

If there’s one thing TPO users can agree with, it’s the durability of the material. Because of its strength, it shouldn’t be a surprise that TPO roofs are among the most popular commercial roofing systems today.

TPO roofing is made of ethylene-propylene rubber, which contributes to the durability of the material.

Together with ethylene-propylene and fillers like talc, fiberglass, and carbon filler, it reinforces and strengthens a TPO roof to make it highly durable.

This TPO roof’s composition and flexibility make it also highly resistant against any scratches, punctures, and tears. It can also reduce damage from any impact.

2. Great energy-saving tool

Using the right material for your roof can make or break your energy consumption. This feature is especially crucial for buildings that want to cut down on their electricity.

Not only is a TPO roof durable, but the TPO roof is also widely popular for being Energy Star rated because of its natural ability to deflect ultraviolet (UV) waves.

A TPO roof makes use of bright white materials, which makes the roof very reflective. Because of this, the roof can easily reflect the heat and UV rays from hitting the building.

Using a TPO roof also helps with saving energy consumption, thanks to its reflective features.

This feature can significantly cut down the utility costs of a building, especially in warmer climates. During the hottest days of the years, you can expect this single-ply roofing membrane to keep you cool.

3. Great lifespan

If you’re looking for a roofing system that can last you years, this one won’t disappoint. A TPO roof has a lifespan of up to 20 years and can extend to 30 years, depending on how it’s used and maintained.

Although a TPO roof can last up to 20 years, there are some instances where the lifespan of the roofing membrane decrease. This is especially true once the roofing starts developing weak spots that can cause disintegration on the material.

One way to prolong the lifespan of your roof is to undergo regular maintenance. Make sure to check the roof and its seams’ condition or whether some repairs and replacements need to be done.

4. Highly affordable roofing option

Generally, single ply membrane roofs are cheaper than most types of commercial roofing, which makes a TPO roof an ideal choice because of its affordability.

You can consider TPO as one of the best materials to use for flat roofs today, thanks to how cost-effective it is.

Price-wise, the cost of TPO roofs varies. This is especially true because as a single-ply material, it goes through different installation processes.

Here are some factors you need to take into consideration when computing the cost of using TPO roofing:

Condition of your roof

Compared to using other types of flat roofs, using TPO roofing is cost-effective and can save you a lot of expenses. 

To maximize your budget, make sure the roof you’re working on is still in good condition. If it is, you can save yourself the trouble of spending a fortune trying to restore your roofing.

TPO works best on surfaces that are clean or clear of any materials that can affect its adhesiveness.

Size of your roof

You’ll have to spend more if your roof covers a large surface area compared to a smaller one.

Going for a roof TPO solution can significantly help cut down your costs, but you’ll also have to take into account how much surface area you’ll need for a complete installation.

Insulation materials

One of the reasons many single-ply roofing systems such as TPO roofers are inexpensive is because they don’t include any insulation.

Nevertheless, you can always install an insulation material on your TPO membrane, and there’s even a ton of options to choose from.

Mode of installation

Using a single-ply membrane won’t give you a hard time when it comes to the installation process.

The installation process usually starts by preparing the surface where you plan to attach the TPO membrane. You need to thoroughly clean the surface before installing the roof so that the material adheres appropriately.

There are different ways of making sure your TPO roofing adheres to the surface properly.

A TPO membrane can be mechanically fastened and attached to the surface or stuck on the surface using an adhesive. You can even choose to weld the single-ply membrane on a roof with protrusions, chimneys, among others.

Regardless of your choice, make sure that the seams are sealed correctly in place. You can seal the seams by welding it in for an effective installation.

A Buyer’s Guide to Buying a TPO Roofer

If it’s your first time buying TPO for your roof, you must know what you’re looking for. As much as possible, you want to get your money’s worth without committing any costly mistakes.

We’re here to help you find the best and high-quality roofing system out there. Here are some of the factors you’ll have to look at for your TPO roofing.

1. Quality of Membrane

Wherever your search may lead you, it’s vital you buy your roofing from a reliable and reputable manufacturer.

As much as possible, you want to transact with a manufacturer who’s familiar with the build of TPO’s and has been in the roofing industry for many years.

There may be manufacturers out there who’ll lure you with low prices, but don’t be enticed. Often, these types of manufacturers are new to the roofing industry and have zero to little experience about building durable materials.

Just to be safe, don’t be afraid to ask questions and if you still aren’t sure, consult another manufacturer for a second opinion.

2. Efficient energy consumption

Take advantage of TPO’s natural way of absorbing UV rays.

Be sure to check that the TPO material you’re buying complies with the necessary Energy Star Requirements.

There might be some manufacturers out who sell TPO but haven’t complied with the three-year requirement to qualify for an Energy Star.

3. Longevity of the material

One of the primary reasons you’d want to use TPO for your roofs is its longevity and durability. At first glance, it might seem hard to determine whether the product in front of you meets these requirements.

To help ensure that you select the most durable TPO products out there, you need to determine and ask the manufacturer what temperature the TPO membrane can be welded up to.

As much as possible, the answer should be in the highest temperature range. If not, then you’ll have a TPO membrane with poor weldability. When this issue arises, it’ll be hard for you to work with your material in the long run.

4. Material thickness

As much as possible, the top part of the membrane material should be thicker. It might get a little more expensive than the TPO material itself, but it can save you a lot of trouble and future expenses.

Choosing a thicker material provides better protection for flat roofs against any weather conditions, among others.

Pros and Cons of Using TPO Roofing

To help process all the information we’ve provided above, we’ve summed up all you need to know.

There’s a variety of reasons why you should or shouldn’t use TPO for your roof. Nevertheless, using TPO roofing is one of the best choices you’ll find for flat roofing today.

We’ve broken down some of the most important benefits and advantages of using a TPO roof to help with your decision.

Pros

Cost

The best part about choosing a TPO roof over other roofing systems is its affordability! You can get a ton of use with this single-ply membrane without spending a fortune.

Insulation Flexibility

Unlike other roofing systems, a single ply roof provides you with more flexibility in selecting which insulation material to use.

Durability

With proper care and maintenance, you can expect your roofing to last you for years! It can resist dirt, algae, bacteria, among others, from building up on the surface.

Energy efficient

You don’t have to worry about your utility bills skyrocketing during the hot seasons. Rest assured, your roofing will absorb the heat coming inside the building.

Cons

Quality

There are various reports which say that not all TPO roofing is made consistently. Some notice that others are well manufactured, while some aren’t.

The inconsistent build quality heavily affects the reliability of consumers over this type of roof.

However, its inconsistent manufacturing can be attributed to the fact that this roofing material is relatively new.

That being said, it doesn’t hurt to have two or three extra sources of manufacturers for TPO roofing materials. This way, you can thoroughly check the quality overall.

Size

Many people think that choosing a thicker TPO roof is better because it’s more likely to last longer. However, the same isn’t necessarily true when it comes to TPO roofing.

Another disadvantage of using a TPO roof is its small width and how it affects its seams. Its small dimension poses a severe problem when it comes to the seams of the material.

The seams can cause the roof to unnecessarily expand and contract. When this occurs, the seams start becoming loose, and it opens up to let water and other materials inside the roof.

The best solution would be to request a special sealant to be used for proper sealing. While TPO roofing has a lot of advantages, if water leaks through your roof, this also becomes a waste of your time and money.

Conclusion

Now that you know to expect when using TPO for your roof, you’re ready to make an informed decision.

If there’s one thing we want to leave you with, you’ll never go wrong when you use TPO! It’s a material that can save you a ton in the long run, and it’s packed with excellent features!

Considering its price tag and the features that come with it, using TPO for your roofs is something you won’t regret.

Just remember to also take the necessary precautions needed as mentioned in the Buyer’s Guide section of this article.

Even with high-quality roofing materials, appropriate installation is the key to achieving the best sustainability of your roof.