Owning a business takes a great deal of work and dedication. If you have a building you work out of, upkeep on the building can be another important line item on your yearly to-do list in keeping your property in tip-top shape. Perhaps you own an apartment complex or assisted living facility and must ensure the safety of the building for your residents. Perhaps you own a shopping center or warehouse. The stores inside depend on you for helping to keep their products safe. The pressure can be great when owning that property.
We are going to focus on just one item in commercial property maintenance. That is your roofing system. What is the difference between TPO, PVC, and EPDM roofing? How will you know which is best for your building and budget? Let’s break down each item and define what they are.
TPO
This is a roofing material comprised of a single-ply roofing membrane composed of three layers. TPO stands for Thermoplastic Polyolefin. The three layers are a TPO polymer base, a polyester-reinforced scrim, and a TPO compounded top ply. This material makes up close to 40% of commercial roofing properties, according to the National Roofers Contractors Association. Here are some particular benefits of TPO:
- Easy to install – clean installation process, less labor-intensive when compared to others
- Affordable – less expensive than other roofing materials, and can last 15 to 20 years
- Durable and flexible – resistant to mold, grime, and dirt. Fire resistant as well.
- Environmentally friendly – 100% recyclable
- Energy efficient – Heat reflective
- Easy to diagnose leaks – seams are heat-welded, so leaks are easy to notice and repair.
PVC
PVC roofing is a single-ply roofing solution used on flat or low-slope roofs. PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride. It is the third most widely produced synthetic plastic polymer. Here are some of the great benefits of this product:
- High flame resistant – safe in lightning storms as flames don’t hold a chance
- Lightweight – due to its makeup, it will not add extra weight to the building or supports
- Environmentally friendly – can create new PVC products if need be
- Ease of installation – due to its components, it is easy to install
- Variety of colors – not just the common black and white!
- Custom pre-fabricated deck sheets
EPDM Roofing
This extremely durable synthetic rubber roofing membrane is used mostly on low-slope buildings. It is comprised of two ingredients, ethylene and propylene which are derived from oil and natural gas. EPDM stands for ethylene propylene diene terpolymer. Here are the benefits of this product:
- A broad variety of widths, ranging from 7.5 feet to 50 feet.
- Two thicknesses are available, 45 and 60 mils.
- Can be installed fully adhered, mechanically attached, or ballasted
- Affordable – generally budget friendly
- Easy to maintain
- Durable and Resilient – flexible to wrap around pipes, skylights, and gutters
Choosing the type of material for a commercial roofing project may need some additional guidance and support. Trust the professionals at Super Roofers in Montgomery to help narrow down the choices and select a product best suited for your building and your budget. We can help keep your commercial roof looking beautiful for years to come!