Liberty Roofworks | A Rock Hill, SC TPO Roofing Company

Everything You Need to Know About TPO Roofs

TPO roofs are one of the most common in both commercial and residential buildings in Gastonia, NC, and beyond. They have some unique and valuable qualities that make them so popular. If you aren’t sure what the name means or what the roof looks like, you are not the only one.

In this article, we are going to look at everything you might want to know about TPO roofing material, including answers to the following:

What it is and what is it used for
The major advantages of using TPO roofing over other types of roofing materials
TPO roof installations and repairs
How long this type of roofing lasts
How much it will cost

What Is TPO Roofing?

TPO stands for thermoplastic polyolefin. You can easily identify this type of roofing on many homes and businesses. It appears as a single-ply white membrane.

Single-ply membranes are common in commercial properties, with the two top picks being TPO roofing material and ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM).

Essentially, single-ply membranes are sheets of rubber and other synthetics. These materials are attached to the insulation using chemical, physical, or mechanical methods.

Contact Liberty Roofworks Today

What Is TPO Roofing Material Used for?

The color, structure, and composition of TPO roofing material all influence why it is so commonly used and why you might want to choose this option.

White materials reflect heat rather than absorb it. This quality of TPO roofing material is valuable for its various functions and applications. Using this material as a roof means that you experience more cooling. You might want to consider this if you prefer a naturally cool building interior.

The color white might bring some advantages, such as keeping the home cool, but you also have to consider the aesthetics. White materials become visibly dirty faster. If appearance matters to you, then you might need to think of ways around this. You can use different materials or come up with a robust cleaning arrangement in place.

Besides the cooling and aesthetic considerations, the most important reason to consider using TPO is when it comes to the slope. This roofing application has a critical application for buildings that are on a low incline.

A low slope is one where the roof or roof facet has a steepness or pitch that falls under 2:12. A pitch of 2:12 means that for every two units vertically upwards, there is a horizontal movement of 12 units.

Low slopes can present a roofing material challenge if the roofing contractors do not consider the gradient when they make recommendations.

When there is water runoff on the roof, it disperses based on the steepness or gradient of the roof. With a low-slope roof, the water will not clear off as fast as you want, which can cause issues.

A roof with a low slope must also be waterproof to accommodate the slow clearing of rainwater. A TPO roof is watertight. It, therefore, makes a good option when the roof is not so steep.

If you are to consider a popular roofing material such as asphalt shingles, while they have many benefits, they are not waterproof. If they are used for tiling a low slope roof, they might have trouble holding the sitting water until it drains away.

According to building codes, asphalt shingles cannot be used on a roof with a pitch below 2:12. Instead, you are going to need a flat roof system such as a TPO membrane roof.

Advantages of TPO roofing

As mentioned, TPO roofs offer a number of advantages, making them a great roofing solution for a variety of applications. These include excellent energy efficiency, fire resistance, and flexibility. Additionally, TPO roofing is resistant to UV rays, chemicals, and ozone, making it an ideal roofing solution for many regions. When installed properly, TPO roofs can last for upwards of 15 to 20 years, making them an economical and reliable choice for your roofing needs.

TPO Roofing Installation, Repair, and Lifespan

Installing TPO roofs, as with any other roofing material, calls for a professional roofing contractor who knows what they are doing. They need to understand the use cases of TPO roofs, the right way to install them, and the safety and compliance guidelines that go with such a project.

Knowing the lifespan and warranty of any roofing material is critical because it indicates what you can expect over the years, how far your investment can take you, and the quality and correct handling of the material you are using.

TPO roofing has a typical lifespan of about 25 years. This period is highly dependent on whether the contractor installed the roof correctly from the onset.

It’s worth noting that many roofs require repair and replacement before their expected life expectancy is up for various reasons.

Natural disasters, prevailing weather conditions and exposure, human and building accidents, and poor-quality materials and installations may require a roof replacement in fewer years than expected.

Costs of a TPO Roof

We have discussed the structure and properties of a TPO roofing membrane and looked at its use cases and its various advantages to residential and commercial building owners. It’s time to look at the cost of this roofing material and how this compares to other options.

In general, you can budget to pay about $14 to $17 per square foot of TPO for a smaller membrane roof. If you have a larger project to complete, you are looking at about $12 per square foot. Economies of scale affect the costs here.

The total costs for TPO roofing are affected by the scale of the project, as we have mentioned. There is also the type of insulation that the TPO membrane is going to go on top of and the method that is used to secure these together.

TPO roofing materials

There are a few TPO roofing materials to consider, including CSP (Clamshell-Sealed Panels), CSPF (Clamshell-Sealed Panels with Fire Retardancy), and TSPF (Thermoplastic-Sealed Panels with Fire Retardancy). CSP roofing panels are typically used by commercial building owners who want to install a roofing system that is easy to install and maintain. CSPF roofing panels are also easy to install, but they also offer some fire resistance, making them suitable for use in a variety of commercial applications. TSPF roofing panels are more durable than CSP, making them more effective in certain climates.

TPO roofs are lightweight, flexible, and cost-effective, making them a great choice for many homeowners. From excellent energy efficiency to fire resistance, TPO roofs offer a number of advantages, making them a reliable and durable roofing solution. Additionally, TPO roofs are relatively easy to install and maintain, making them an efficient roofing solution for any building. When choosing a TPO roofing contractor, it is important to find an experienced contractor who will install your roof properly.

Finding a reliable TPO roofing contractor in the Rock Hill, SC area

You have probably seen a TPO membrane roof in one place or another, be it above a home or a commercial building. This popular roofing option is an advantage when you are dealing with a low-slope roof because it is waterproof and can accommodate the slow flow of rainwater.

TPO roofs are white and therefore make good reflectors. If your room is under a TPO roof, you can expect it to have a cooler ambiance.

As far as color and aesthetics go, it is worth thinking about if your roof is highly visible. This white membrane roof might not stand white long, so this might or might not be a factor that affects your decision to use it on your roof.

Rock Hill, South Carolina TPO Roofing