The Pros And Cons Of TPO Commercial Roofing

Choosing the right roofing material for your commercial building can be a little overwhelming. After all, there are so many different options available with many manufacturers claiming to have the best system. One popular option for low-slope roofs is TPO or thermoplastic polyolefin, often touted for its energy efficiency and strength. But is TPO right for your business? Here are a few of the pros and cons.

PROS

Strength

One of the major advantages of this material is that it's naturally flexible and incredibly resistant to tears, punctures, and impacts. This natural flexibility is a major component of its strength and impact resistance because it holds its shape while still allowing for natural movement. This is essential on a low-slope roof.

UV Resistance

Another major benefit of TPO is that it is incredibly resistant to UV exposure, making it an ideal choice, especially in very sunny climates. UV exposure can be very damaging to low-slope commercial roofing systems.

Energy Efficiency

Not only is TPO UV resistant, but it also reflects a large amount of solar heat making it very energy efficient. This is in part due to the availability of light color shades, an option many commercial roofing products don't have. TPO exceeds Energy Star ratings for energy efficiency with a solar reflective index or SRI well below the threshold of 0.65.

Easy Install

Another benefit of choosing TPO is the ease of installation. A professional roofing team with experience installing TPO commercial roofing can do the job quickly and efficiently, cutting down on your labor costs.

CONS

Newer

One of the drawbacks of choosing TPO is that it's a relatively new material compared to other commercial roofing products. That means there is less information available about how it holds up under several decades of wear.

Slippery When Wet

Another possible disadvantage of TPO is that it becomes very slippery when wet. This can be problematic if the roof needs to be repaired or maintained during a wet spell. However, its slippery nature also means that it's incredibly water repellent. It's best installed on roofs that require little foot traffic.

Repairs

When TPO seams need repairing, it requires the services of commercial roofing professional because of the technicality of the repair work. It's not a DIY project because it necessitates heat welding and other technical skills that the average business owner may not have. Because of the skill required, these repairs may be costly. 

For more information, contact a local commercial roofing contractor.