What is a TPO roofing system?

TPO roofing is frequently associated with the stark, brilliant, and dazzling white rooftops seen in industrial parks around the country. Yes, that's most likely TPO roofing in US, a single-ply roofing material that's grown popular in commercial roofing. So, what exactly are single-ply and TPO roofing, and how do they differ?

 

Single-ply Membranes

Single-ply membranes are made of synthetic and rubber materials. These membranes are either mechanically secured, ballasted to a roof, or adhered to the insulation that provides a protective layer on a flat roof surface to cling to a flat roof.

The term "single-ply" refers to a type of commercial material that is widely used. However, you may not be aware that there are two varieties of single-ply membranes available to meet both commercial budgets and construction requirements. Among these are:

·         Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO)

·         Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymer (EPDM)

The material composition, energy efficiency, and installation procedures of these single-ply membranes differ.

TPO Roofing

TPO stands for Thermoplastic Polyolefin in scientific terminology. It's a single-ply membrane with a fabric reinforcing scrim that stabilizes and reinforces the membrane for better and greater performance. It's made up of a variety of rubber kinds, most of which are a mix of polypropylene and ethylene-propylene.

Commercial roof maintenance contractors, particularly flat roofs, have seen a lot of TPO adoption. It's in high demand because of its inherent capacity to deflect ultraviolet (UV) radiation while conserving energy and lowering power bills.

The membranes are made in sheet form by the manufacturer and come in widths of 10, 12, and 20 feet. The manufacturer sends the sheets to the facility that requests and purchases the materials for commercial roofing after they have been cut, rolled, and assembled.

Why TPO Roofing?

Installing a TPO roofing system on your existing commercial and industrial roofing in USA has several advantages. It's tough, long-lasting, and adaptable. This includes the ability to withstand dirt buildup, rips, and mold development.

Its energy efficiency is maybe its strongest feature. TPO membranes reflect and resist UV radiation, making it easier and more effective to keep a structure cool. As a result, the HVAC system isn't required to compensate.

Membrane That Can Be Punctured Easily

This is arguably the most difficult of all the TPO roofing issues. This roofing system can be walked on and is both flexible and lightweight, however, the membrane can be perforated easily.

When compared to other types of buildings or roofing systems, one of the more typical TPO roofing difficulties with commercial roofs is the high level of foot traffic. The single-ply membrane roofing system lacks a hard-top layer that protects the synthetic rubber layer from lost tools, debris, and loose screws.

These materials are forced into the rubber membrane, fracturing or tearing it by generating holes in the rubber and insulation. This makes the roofing system more susceptible to leaks in the future.

You can eliminate this problem with the right primer from the list of TPO roofing issues by adding an extra layer of protection and insulation that it lacked earlier.

Expired Warranty

Here's an important tip: get the warranty when you get a new roof done. This is because, for the first couple of years following the initial installation, most manufacturer warranties require the contractor to do such repairs.

Warranties range from 15 to 30 years in length. Having a warranty on your side will help you tackle common TPO roofing issues. Keep track of it since, after your warranty expires, you may be exposed to greater maintenance, commercial roof replacement, and repair costs, particularly if your facility has been having issues.

It cannot be overstated how important it is to have a guarantee when it comes to TPO roofing issues. Things happen, leaks happen, damage happens, and having a quick, dependable remedy on hand is a lot easier than having to contact a repair service on your own and pay for it out of cash.

Keeping yourself insured is a little more expensive than you would think, but it's a terrific method to protect yourself against long-term difficulties or future repair expenditures. That alone makes it worthwhile.

Adhesives Degraded by UV Rays

One of the most typical issues with TPO roofs is wear and tear. No, that's not true. It is one of the most typical issues that can occur with any roofing system. This is due to the fact that it is outside 24/7.

This implies that you will be exposed to the sun on a regular basis. UV rays may do a lot of damage to a roof over time. It may happen in a variety of ways, but the most typical TPO roofing issue is when the adhesives used to bond the membrane to the substrate disintegrate due to UV radiation.

Not only that, but those adhesives are what keep the membrane seams together to produce the watertight barrier that keeps your roof safe in even the most extreme weather. Your roof is unsafe if that seal is missing.

UV rays can come into touch with the adhesive layer when there are punctures, rips, or other damage to your roof, and do a lot more harm when those adhesives disintegrate. As a result, it's critical to overlap the membrane sheets during installation. This will protect the adhesives from UV radiation and keep TPO roofing issues at bay, at least temporarily.

Longevity

The fact that TPO roofing systems do not survive as long as other roofing systems is perhaps the most prevalent complaint. Although TPO roofing is sturdy and long-lasting, it is still a relatively new roofing technology.

That means the TPO material's recipe is still far from ideal, as makers try to strike a compromise between cost and durability. This implies that some of these roofing systems have experienced regular TPO roofing issues such as material failures and seam splits along the road.

Although there have been advancements along the road, the recipe may not be finalized for some years. TPO roofing systems, on the other hand, are not only inexpensive but also, in most cases, long-lasting.

These TPO roofing issues are all quite prevalent, which means they’re also fairly simple to fix. Keeping this in mind, it’ll be much easier to keep them in top shape and avoid significant problems or roof damage.

Naples Roofing is a certified commercial and industrial roofing contractor in the USA providing roof installation, repair, and replacement along with emergency disaster relief roofing services. Contact them today to request an estimate for required roofing services!