Commercial roofing is typically very different than residential roofing. In general, commercial buildings usually have flat or low-slopping roofs. This makes it require different roofing materials than your normal residential building. Not everyone is aware of the different types of commercial roofing options, which is where Hennessey Roofing comes in. Hennessey Roofing is the roofing expert and we know everything there is to know about commercial roofing. We’re answering the question “What is TPO Roofing?” to help our customers decide what roofing material will work best for their commercial buildings.
What is Single-Ply Roofing?
To understand TPO roofing you first have to know what single-ply roofing is. Single-ply roofing is a roofing material that is made of sheets of rubber and altered synthetics that are either mechanically fastened or chemically adhered to a roof. It’s an affordable and common roofing option that many buildings all over the world use. In addition, single-ply roofing is a versatile roofing choice for any building that has a flat or low-sloped roof. There are two major types of single-ply membranes in commercial roofing. The two types are Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) and Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymer (EPDM).
What is TPO Roofing?
TPO is a single-ply roofing membrane that is growing quickly in the roofing market. TPO is actually an acronym that stands for Thermoplastic Polyolefin. It’s perfect for any roof that has a low slope as well as roofing that is flat. However, TPO’s main purpose is for commercial buildings. It works great on especially large facilities. One of the biggest reasons that TPO continues to grow in popularity is its unique color. TPO is white, which is a stark contrast to the other single-ply membrane on the market, EPDM, which is black in color. The lighter color of TPO allows it to reflect sunlight instead of directly absorbing it. Although, that isn’t the only pro of TPO roofing.
Pros of TPO Roofing
More Installation Choices for the Customer
Installing single-ply roofing can be done in a couple of ways, which lets the customer decide how they want their roofing to be put on. It adds versatility to already versatile roofing material.
Class A Fire Rating
Fire rating is important to many commercial building owners, as fire resistance can seriously help a building in an emergency situation. Single-ply roofing can obtain a class A rating by mixing in fire-retardant chemicals during the manufacturing process.
Reflective Instead of Absorbing
TPO is white in color which reflects sunlight instead of absorbing it. This will keep the roof, and building underneath, much cooler. It will help the building save on its energy bills by helping the building maintain its ideal temperature.