TPO Roofing FAQ

What is TPO Roofing?

TPO Roofing stands for Thermoplastic Polyolefin. It’s a synthetic rubber compound. Unlike other rubber compounds used in the roofing industry, it possesses the ability to be fused together like a plastic PVC membrane over its life. Most other (EPDM) rubber membranes are seamed together using either 2 sided tape systems or an adhesive.

TPO Roofing FAQ

What are the advantages of a fused seam over tape systems?

Hot air welded seams have systems?o be the most reliable seam in the market today. Fused seams are 6 times stronger than glued seams and three times stronger than tape systems. Once fused together, the TPO lap forms a monolithic homogeneous rubber roof system over the entire field of the roof. Seams are impossible to deteriorate. And in roof systems where seams are always the weakest link in the system, its reassuring to know that the laps are its strongest component.

What are other advantages of the TPO Roofing systems?

While TPO can be manufactured in colors, the most obvious choice for the TPO membrane is white. It offers a reflective quality rarely found in roof systems, reflecting close to 87% of the sun’s damaging UV rays OFF the roof. The roof membrane stays close to ambient air temperature, which means heat is NOT absorbed in the roof membrane and transmitted into the interior of the building. If your facility is air-conditioned, it lightens the loader-conditioned units and reduces air conditioning costs.

The TPO membrane is also reinforced with a polyester scrim reinforcement, which offers greater puncture and tear resistance than conventional black EPDM membranes.

What type of systems is available with TPO membranes?

TPO Roofing can be installed in mechanically attached, fully adhered, and ballasted type applications. The most prevalent is the mechanically attached roof system.

Can TPO be installed over an existing roof system?

TPO Roofing is not the cure-all for all roof problems. Good roofing practices still apply when considering even a tough TPO membrane. Any wet insulation in the existing roof system should be removed prior to ANY new roof system installed, including TPO. But once all the existing insulation and decking has been inspected and approved, a TPO system can be installed after an insulation board has been applied over an existing built-up roof system or another single ply membrane.

For More information about TPO Roofing in Dallas call the team at Alpine roofing construction.

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