Thermoplastic Polyolenfin (TPO) – Alpha Commercial Roofing

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Thermoplastic Polyolefin

(TPO)

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Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO)

Thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) is a type of roofing material that is commonly used on flat or low-sloped roofs, including on commercial buildings. Thermoplastic Polyolefin is a single-ply roofing membrane that is one of the fastest-growing commercial roofing systems on the market. TPO roofing systems are a single layer of synthetics and reinforcing scrim used to cover flat roofs.

TPO roofing systems are known for their durability, flexibility, and resistance to UV radiation, extreme temperatures, and weathering. They are also resistant to punctures, tears, and other types of physical damage. TPO roofing systems are typically installed by unrolling the membrane and attaching it to the roof deck using adhesive, mechanical fasteners, or a combination of both. The seams of the membrane are then sealed using heat welding or a special tape or sealant to create a waterproof barrier.

TPO Roofing Installation

After the existing substrate is prepared, either by cleaning or removing the existing roof, the insulation is installed. There are a few types of insulation options the facility manager/owner can choose from:

Polyisocyanurate (Polyiso): The most used insulation type for roofing applications, Polyiso is more expensive but pays off with a higher R-value rating.

Expanded Polystyrene (EPS): With the highest R-value per dollar, EPS is used for roof, wall, and floor insulation. EPS can be used for ground contact and does not retain water over time.

Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) : Usually defined by the blue, green, or pink color, XPS falls between Polyiso and EPS in the price range and performance range. XPS is semipermeable with a perm rating of 1.

The TPO membrane can be attached to the cover board with a bonding adhesive or mechanically fastened. When the membrane is rolled out, the contractor returns and uses a hot-air gun to weld the seams together.

Advantages Of TPO Roofing

A commercial single-ply membrane roof can last 30 years if properly installed and maintained. There are quite a few other benefits of single-ply membrane roofing systems:

Customer Choice of Insulation: Since single-ply does not include the insulation factor, as a customer, you have more options to choose from to insulate your facility’s roof.

Class A Fire-Rated: TPO membranes and EPDM can achieve Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Class A fire resistance listings by adding fire retardant chemicals during manufacturing.

Reflective or Retentive: TPO is generally white and highly reflective. On the other side of the spectrum, EPDM is often described as “Black Roofs” due to the natural dark color of the membrane.

TPO Saves Money: The most common TPO material is bright white with highly reflective properties. This bright white roof installation can reflect UV rays and heat from the building, saving money during the summer months from decreased energy usage to cool the building interior.