TPO Costs
Commercial buildings often use the rubber roofing material thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) since it is competitively priced. TPO comes in rolls held together by seams glued together with heat. The fact that it is made of recycled rubber makes it a common option for most roofs nowadays.
It’s critical to realize that flat or low-pitch roofs are your best bet for TPO installations.
You can contrast it with other rubber roofing types if you want to install one at your house to make sure you pick the best one. Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of this roofing design can be very cost-effective.
The costs of conventional TPO roofing and materials, as well as other factors required to assist you in developing a budget, will be covered in the article.
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Why Should You Choose TPO Roofing?
There are a number of things to take into account before moving forward with this form of roofing. TPO roofing is one example of a product that is reasonably priced per square foot. The following are some advantages and drawbacks of TPO roofing:
Pros
- Energy costs are reduced by reflective materials.
- The difficulty of installation lowers TPO costs.
- Little maintenance is required.
- It is environmentally sustainable because the materials are recyclable.
- TPO is lightweight.
Cons
- Not the most attractive style of roofing.
- The roof can only be installed in dry conditions because of the heat adhesive method for the seams.
- Price differences between producers of TPO roofing materials are influenced by material quality.
How Much Does TPO Roofing Cost?
Despite the fact that TPO comes in rolls, it is often priced per square, like the majority of roofing materials. You divide each of the TPO cost estimates by 100 square feet of roofing material.
TPO costs between $3.50 and $14.00 per square foot, according to experts. The wide variety of pricing is reflected in the different thickness options for TPO roofing.
Cost of TPO Roofing Materials
More than simply the installation material is required for TPO roofing. You’ll also need to purchase insulation for the area under the roof.
Insulation typically costs between $1.50 and $3.50 per square foot. The flashing also prevents water from collecting underneath the roof and attachment system.
Insulation
The cost of the insulation may occasionally be higher than the cost of TPO roofing, depending on the type and thickness you choose. Rubber roofing insulation does, however, typically range in price from $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot.
The insulation acts as a protective underlayment for TPO roofing and aids in regulating the temperature of the home or building.
Flashing
To stop water from leaking into the building’s interior, flashing must be completed at corners and seams.
Typically, the price ranges from $5 to $50.
Attachment
Like any other roof, your TPO roof needs to be affixed to the top of your building. There are three options, and each has a different price:
Pavers or rocks can be used as ballast to assist weigh down the roof. Between $1.50 and $2.50 is what 45mil costs per square foot. The 65 mm variety, however, costs $2.00 to $2.50 per square foot.
Fastened Roof – Screws are used to fasten the rubber roof to the underlayment. Regardless of whether it is 45 mil or 65 mil, the price for this type of attachment ranges from $2 to $3.
Glue is used in this technique to attach the rubber roof to the underlayment. Costs for 65mil range from $2.50 to $3.50, while prices for 45mil range from $2.75 to $3.50.
TPO Roofing Cost Factors
Diverse factors contribute to an increase in total TPO expenses. For your TPO roof, you might occasionally pay more to acquire the best supplies and labor.
However, by being aware of the facts below beforehand, you might be able to prevent incurring unnecessary costs for a job.
How Thick Is the Insulation?
Many contractors will use half-inch fiberboard as standard insulation. Fiberboard has incredibly low insulating value. Insulation for a flat roof will set you back a pretty penny.
One-inch thick PolyISO rigid foam insulation costs between $45 and $50 per 100 square feet. Therefore, three inches of ISO will be required if you need an 18 R-value, costing between $135 and $150 for every 100 square feet.
Sadly, there is no way to reduce this fee due to the high cost of the ISO board.
Curbs and Penetrations
Roof penetration causes installation delays and calls for more flashing and materials. Increased material costs and decreased productivity must be made up for by the contractor.
Simple pipe flashings are more manageable and less expensive. The cost for each pipe flashing should be $50.
For drains, you may anticipate paying between $180 and $250. The majority of flat roofs require them, although they require an expensive setup.
Presence of an Old Roof
Before putting in the new TPO membrane, the old roof needs to be taken off. Depending on the type and number of layers of the old material, you will pay between $0.75 and $3.00 per square foot to have it removed.
Rubber is the simplest to get rid of as compared to river rock ballast, BUR, gravel and tar ballast, and other materials.
Plywood Replacement
Under the outdated covering, you may occasionally find rotted or broken plywood boards. Before you can install a new roof, you must first replace the old one. Plywood measuring 4 x 8 will cost between $75 and $90 per piece.
The Thickness of the TPO Membrane and Color
Your overall cost will differ greatly depending on the TPO membrane thickness you select. 45 inches, 60 inches, and 80 inches are all included in this (premium).
Using a thicker, more expensive TPO roofing material has advantages such as enhanced UV protection, increased durability, and enhanced puncture resistance.
Any color other white will incur an additional fee. The options are likewise very limited. White, grey, and tan are other common colors that aren’t more expensive.
Labor
Because TPO roofing is a unique flat roof material, it is pricey. It therefore needs tools, installation knowledge, and training.
The absence of professionals to perform this work keeps installation costs high. This is particularly true in the home sector because the majority of installations are for business usage. These who do typically charge more than typical roofers.
Highly compensated non-union or union employees are regularly used by commercial professionals. Residential contractors frequently employ less-skilled individuals to reduce costs.
Location
Labor prices for contractors locally can vary greatly.
If you live in a high-income city rather than a small hamlet, you might expect to pay more for the same installation.
It is always preferable to get an estimate from a nearby TPO roofing contractor than to pay the pricing you see online. When you see this, don’t be astonished.
Frequently Asked Questions about TPO Costs
Are There TPO Alternatives?
Owners of flat roofs can choose from a number of TPO’s alternatives. Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), a synthetic rubber with a variety of uses, is the most often used kind.
It is commonly identified as having a white roof, as opposed to EPDM’s black roof. Despite being initially less expensive than TPO, EPDM may not be as cost-effective in terms of energy conservation.
PVC, often known as polyvinyl chloride, is another well-liked TPO replacement. Property owners use PVC for flat roofs because it is one of the strongest and most resilient membrane materials, withstanding sun, wind, and hot temperatures.
Is It Okay to Paint a TPO Roof?
White is the most popular color for TPO roofs, which are available in a range of hues to match the building they are being placed to. For these circumstances, single-coat elastomeric paint for TPO roofing is the best solution.
Your professional roofing contractor is the best person to ask about your alternatives in this area.
Which Is Better EPDM or TPO?
When choosing between the two, TPO frequently outperforms EPDM because of the increased dimensional stability.
Additionally, EPDM has a propensity to shrink, which over time harms your roof.
Is TPO Roofing Flame Resistant?
TPO roofing is relatively flame-resistant, however if exposed to flames directly, the adhesives and solvents used during installation may cause issues. If there is a substantial insulating layer in between the TPO roofing and the substrate, the TPO roofing will be successfully flame resistant on your roof.
How Can I Clean a TPO Roof?
With a standard low-power pressure washer, the bulk of the dirt and grime on your TPO roofing may be cleaned (less than 2,000 PSI).
Scrub and polish your roof to bring back its vibrant color and luster with a soft-bristled broom and a mild household cleanser.
It will help to maintain the reflective properties that make it a good insulator from UV rays and the heat of the sun by sporadic washing.
What Is the Weight of a Roll of TPO?
Rolls made of TPO are exceedingly heavy. One of the many factors necessitating professional installation is the specialized equipment you’ll require for the process.
Given the acreage each roll can cover, the total weight isn’t exorbitant, but it makes positioning TPO rolls a multi-person job.
The weight of an 80 mil TPO roll that is 10′ by 100′ should fall between 400 and 430 pounds.
Hiring a Professional
Hire an experienced roofer to install or repair your TPO roofs.
Despite the fact that installing TPO roofing is not very complex, the tools needed will make it difficult for the average person to do the job without spending money.
Commercial-grade hot air welders are typically priced between $2,000 and $3,000 on the low end.
By using these tools or leaving it in the hands of a qualified contractor with the required skills, you may reduce TPO costs.