Not too many years ago people did not care about recycling and the environment. Today, things are a lot different. The environment is failing due to our indifference, and now we are paying the price with increased ultraviolet rays, deteriorating water supplies, and toxins in the air.
Flat roofing material, like other roofing material, ends up in the local landfill site where it is buried and left for someone else to deal with down the road. That is starting to change, however. Roofing material manufacturers are starting to realize the benefits of recyclable materials in terms of cost savings and environmental savings. TPO roofing is the result from that change.
One of the main benefits of TPO roofing is it is 100% recyclable, and it is energy efficient. TPO or Thermoplastic Poly-olefin Single Ply roofing membranes are designed to reflect heat from the building and have excellent resistance to ultraviolet rays, ozone, and chemicals; and these are just some of the benefits of TPO roofing.
This material has been around since the 1980s and was improved upon in 1993 by adding a membrane that was reinforced, making this material even more durable than before. It has become so popular for flat roofing installations and replacements, that overall, there have been hundreds of million’s of square feet installed throughout North America on an annual basis. Making it the fastest-growing segment of the single-ply roofing industry.
Manufacturing Process
TPO roofing is manufactured from Ethylene Propylene rubber and several filler materials such as talc, carbon, rubber, and fiberglass. Ethylene is a gaseous, organic material while propylene is a by-product of petroleum refining. The 2 ingredients are polymerized by using special processes, then the filler materials are added for strength and durability.
TPO roofs are similar to EPDM but add the benefit of a hot-air welded seam which is 3-4 times stronger than EPDM tape and adhesive seams. TPO roofing comes in white, gray, and black for added aesthetics. There are a couple of options for thickness and the rolls typically are six feet wide and 100 feet long.
The Installation Process
Installation depends upon the type of roof you have, the substrate material, and the recommendations of your flat roof contractor. There are three ways to install the TPO membrane. It can be fully-adhered by gluing the membrane to the substrate with a special glue which bonds the materials together through a chemical reaction. It can be mechanically-adhered. This method uses special fasteners and plates to secure the membrane to the substrate while the seams are overlapped, and heat sealed. Lastly, the TPO membrane can be ballasted, in which smooth, round river-rock about 2-3 inches round is used to hold down the membrane at a rate of 1,000 – 1,200 lbs per square. Patio stones can also be used, which are usually about 20 lbs per square foot.
We will get more into the benefits of TPO roofing next time. However, in the meantime, take a look at your roof and talk to your flat roofing contractor and see if TPO roofing is right for your particular application.