TPO Roofing - Industrial Roofing Installer
TPO is one of the best roofing options that you can install. It offers many of the benefits of PVC and EPDM systems while ridding users of some drawbacks. However, to understand whether TPO roofing will be appropriate for your roof, you will have to understand more about it.
The idea behind the TPO material was to merge the appealing qualities of PVC and EPDM, along with offering a more eco-friendly roofing option.
TPO material Components
TPO roofing is a single-ply roof option. What this essentially means is that you have to install only a single layer or membrane of TPO on your roof. The material components make the item durable, and it lasts about 50 years without any significant damage.
A membrane of TPO is compounded with the help of three layers. These layers are the following:
- Thermoplastic polyolefin base layer
- Thermoplastic polyolefin top layer
- Polyester-reinforced fabric center, aka “scrim.”
Each thermoplastic polyolefin layer consists of ethylene-propylene rubber. They help make the TPO’s flexible while strong at the same time.
The center layer adds even more flexibility to the TPO membrane. TPOs need to be highly flexible to be applicable. This is largely because their installation method requires landscapers to roll them out flat on the roof’s surface.
Unlike PVC roofing options, TPO does not have any components or chemicals that may harm the environment.
Roofing Options
Overall, each of the different roofing options has its own benefits. TPO can, however, be considered better than PVC for many reasons. For one, PVC comes with a plasticizer in it, due to which the roof crack open and tear up when put under extreme temperatures.
This happens due to the constant expansion and contraction rates. Many people that have opted for this roofing option have observed their walls crack similar to glass. On the other hand, if you choose EPDM, you will notice that it holds more moisture.
TPO is, therefore, one of the better options out of the two, especially if you consider the reflectivity of the material, which makes it ideal for sunny locations. Having a highly reflective roof can be pivotal for places that have high temperatures and high-intensity sunlight.
Known also as white roofs, TPO’s bright and reflective white appearance allows most sunlight to bounce off. This allows you to have a protective insulated membrane on your roof that keeps indoor temperatures moderate and prevents cement damage.
Choosing a TPO Roof
Before you go out shopping for TPO roofing layers, you must consider a few things to ensure that you have the best product. A professional roofing contractor can help decide and choose the TPO product that pairs best with your roof.
Below are factors that you should keep in mind when picking the right product.
Weldability
Weldability is a quality that allows a material to join together efficiently at different temperatures. The reason why quality matters is because it allows creating stronger seams.
TPO is a high-end roofing material for many reasons, and one of them includes its weldable properties. This essentially means that contractors can easily combine each strip of TPO with the other without any problem.
Thickness
When picking the TPO membrane, make sure to pick one that is at the right approximate thickness for your specific application. The general rule of thumb is to get one that has the thickest top layers.
A thicker layer can result in higher longevity, reliability, and performance. Nonetheless, depending on your application, the requirement for the thickness may differ.
Width
One of the best advantages of utilizing TPO material is that you can find it in different shapes, sizes, and widths. In fact, most of the time, TPO sheets come in the form of wide rolls, which contractors will spread out flat on the roof’s surface.
Having greater width is advantageous to the TPO material. With a sheet that has a good width, contractors can install layering without making excessive seams. This will result in a stronger and more durable TPO installment.
Not to mention, this also accounts for a quicker installation speed. Since the process will no longer include joining procedures and mechanical fasteners. Below, we will dive deeper into the installation process of TPO roof sheets.
Installation System
TPOs are primarily mechanically attached systems, and this method is the most common roofing system contractors use. One can accomplish basic attachment with the help of plates and fasteners through the membranes in the seams.
Mechanically attached systems function optimally at decks that are conducive to mechanical fasteners. These decks can consist of wood and steel. On the other hand, some decks are not ideal for mechanical attachments of the roofing system. These include gypsum, cement, and concrete.
The Process
The process for TPO installation requires ensuring that the surface is clean and dry. This step is one that you have to consider prior to installation. Parameter enhancements can then be accomplished with the help of perimeter half sheets. When you utilize perimeter half sheets, contractors need to ensure that they are using the correct width.
For instance, 8-foot wide field sheets use four-foot perimeter sheets. When laying down, or rolling out the TPO sheets, make sure that there is a single sheet layer across the edges. When the plates are set on top of each other, the process moves to hot air welding.
Hot Air Welding
TPO sheets must be fastened with barbed 2.4-inch seam plates and number 14 HD or number 15 EHD fasteners. Once you set the seams, allow the sheets to relax, and then fold back the seams and install the seam plates and fasteners. All TPO seams must undergo hot air welding.
TPO welds differently depending on the weather conditions. Maintaining a proper weld requires you to adjust the setting to maintain maximum productivity.
Overall, keep in mind that all mechanically attached roofing systems involve perimeter enhancement when it comes to installation.
With Barka’s help, TPO roofing allows you to insulate and protect your facility’s roof quickly and efficiently. We offer easy-to-install process and minimal costs of materials, this is the best option.
With decades of experience in home contracting, you can trust our experienced team to complete your roof on time and on budget. We have a toolbox of services and quality products ready for you to choose from, along with our own public adjustor to work with insurance when warranted.
From start to finish, we’ll get your new roof and add you to our list of happy customers.