Businesses & commercial property owners who are ready to replace their flat roof should take a look at the benefits of TPO commercial roof replacement vs. EPDM roofing.

In this article, we compare TPO vs EPDM to help you decide which is the best for your commercial property.

Benefits of TPO Roofing

Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) is a single-ply roofing membrane that is one of the quickest growing commercial roofing systems in the industry. Used on commercial roofing surfaces for about 20 years, this viable solution to single-ply flat roofing needs is the top choice for today’s commercial roofing.

TPO roofing gives you reliable protection and coverage you can count on for your commercial property or church. Made of a single layer of synthetics, TPO covers flat roofs and provides dependable coverage for your commercial property. GAF TPO Commercial roof replacement delivers a variety of benefits for churches and businesses such as:

Get a long-lasting commercial roofing solution

A TPO roof lasts up to 25 years when installed properly and maintained well over the years. TPO roofing with a smooth surface gives you reliable protection from premature aging that comes with dirt or debris accumulation on your roof surface.

The heat-welded seams fortify your TPO roof so moisture can’t accumulate under your commercial roof. TPO’s heat resistance, UV resistance, and fungal resistance make it an ideal low-slope roofing solution for commercial properties.

Improve energy efficiency

TPO commercial roofing is considered a “cool roof” because it reflects the harsh UV rays of the sun. Your business or church can save consistently on utility bills when you have a TPO roof installed. Its smooth surface will decrease your energy use, saving you on cooling bills each year.

Enjoy cost-effective commercial roofing

Durable TPO roofing is an affordable way to get the roof replacement your business or church needs. Be sure to collect quotes from several reputable roofing contractors in your area, asking them to provide a comprehensive estimate for all materials and labor.

Customize your commercial roof

When you choose to have a GAF TPO roof installed, enjoy choosing from a variety of reflective colors: light gray, white, or black. GAF offers a full line of EverGuard^® TPO membranes including:

• EverGuard TPO
• EverGuard Extreme TPO
• EverGuard Extreme and EverGuard TPO Fleece-Back Membrane
• EverGuard Freedom TPO
• EverGuard TPO Colors

How EPDM Roofing Differs from TPO

Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) is a single-ply membrane roofing material made of a synthetic rubber compound that makes it flexible. This traditional flat roof option has been used for commercial roofing since the 1960s. When comparing TPO with EPDM, consider the facts:

Reflectivity

The problem with EPDM roofing is that (unlike TPO roofing that reflects sunlight and gives you energy savings) EPDM retains heat from sunlight.

Seam strength

An effective roofing system relies on strong seams. TPO’s welded seams are stronger than taped EPDM seams. Welded seams make TPO one monolithic membrane that covers your entire commercial roof, keeping moisture penetration at bay.

While TPO roofing chemically adheres to give your commercial building great coverage, EPDM is mechanically attached, leaving room for future problems. The seams of TPO membranes are fused with a hot air gun, sealing your roof to protect your insulation and commercial building from moisture intrusion.

Colors

TPO roofing is available in light colors such as white, gray, tan, and specialty colors to make your commercial roofing “cool” and decrease your utilities costs. EPDM roofing is only available in black, and isn’t considered “cool roofing” because dark colors absorb heat.

Cost

The cost of TPO vs EPDM roofing per square foot are comparable.

Lifespan

TPO roofing lasts up to 20-25 years. EPDM roofing lasts up to 25 years. Be sure to ask roofing contractors about their warranties when requesting estimates.

Puncture resistance

When a single-ply low slope flat roofing material gets punctured, leaks result. TPO delivers better puncture resistance than reinforced EPDM. TPO has up to 3 times the puncture resistance of non-reinforced EPDM that’s the same thickness.

Repairs

TPO is a thermoplastic, so you can heat-weld seams, making it ideal for repairs. Just clean the membrane, and heat-weld directly to it. When weather is too cold to use primer and adhesives, EPDM can’t be welded or retaped, meaning a temporary fix will be necessary until weather warms up again.

Stability

TPO has better stability than EPDM, which is more likely to shrink and cause problems with your roofing system.

A Dependable Kansas City Commercial Roofing Company

Christian Brothers Roofing is the top certified commercial roofing company in Kansas City. We take time to educate you on roofing materials and warranty options so you can make the best solution for your long-term needs.

As the top Kansas City commercial roofing company, we hire only the best roofing installers in the area, and we stand behind our work. Our quality control systems and detailed installation processes ensure you get the high-performing roof you desire. We offer a 10-year workmanship warranty on all roofing installations. We offer a full line of EverGuard® GAF TPO membranes, the best performing TPO.

A regularly maintained roof gives you peace of mind. Protect your roof with our certified commercial maintenance program. As GAF Certified Maintenance Professionals, we inspect your roof and provide annual proactive maintenance on low-slope commercial roofing systems to protect your investment from unforeseen roof expenses and disruptions.

Discover how Christian Brothers Roofing can help with all your TPO commercial roofing installation needs.