The roof is one of the most important parts of a building. When figuring out how to have this part constructed, there are several things you should consider. Appearance and protection are some of these things.
About appearance, this part of the building is very visible. People can quickly tell if it is good-looking or otherwise. So, be particular about having something that looks good installed.
But more important is the place of protection. The roof should protect occupants and properties right underneath it. This is why you need to understand the options available and which offers these and more.
The kind of roofing project you have at hand should largely influence your choice. On this note, you should know that the requirements for residential roofing projects are different from commercial and industrial ones.
So, this should also determine the roofing experts you hire to help out with your project. Considering that there are many areas to cover in this subject, this article will focus on something of interest. Here, we will discuss some things you should know about TPO roofing.
This is a common roofing option for commercial buildings. This is especially for those that have flat roofs. Here, we will explain some of the things you should know about this kind of roof. We hope that you will be able to decide if it is the right roofing option for you at the end of this article.
What Is TPO Roofing?
This is a kind of roofing that is done with Thermoplastic Polyolefin. Just as with EPDM, TPO is a roofing option that is made out of a single membrane. We mean a synthetic composition (majorly rubber) that is single layer but reinforced with scrim and used in covering roofs that are flat.
TPO is one of the commonly used options because of the benefits attached to using it. They come in factory-made sheets that are transported to the site where they will be used.
These sheets come in various sizes and the choice is largely dependent on the peculiarities of the project. This is especially about how large the roofing area is. The common sizes of TPO roofing sheets are 20, 12, and 10 feet apart.
Is TPO Roofing Sheets Common?
The use of TPO sheets is very common especially in commercial and industrial facilities. The numerous benefits that come with its use are the reason for this.
As observed by NRCA (National Roofing Contractors Association), somewhere around 40 percent of roofing projects on commercial and industrial sites are done with TPO sheets. This stat explains how it is highly regarded and accepted in the market.
How Are TPO Roofing Sheets Installed?
The first thing done before the TPO sheets are installed is the preparation of the substrate already in place. The substrate on this part of the building must be in the right shape. The two ways this can be achieved (depending on its state) is the removal of the previous roof or simply cleaning it.
It is after either of these is done that the insulation can be installed. Speaking of installing insulation, several options can be used. They are:
EPS (Expanded Polystyrene)
This is a good insulation option for a TPO project. But more than this, you should also know this insulation option is not only used for roofing projects. It can equally be used for floor and wall insulation.
One of the biggest highlights of EPS is how well it deals with water. This is one of the things that make it a good insulation option for roofing projects. You should also know this option guarantees value for every penny spent.
Polyisocyanurate
You should know this is the insulation option that is mostly used for projects of this nature. So, this is not just about TPO roofs but EPDM and several other roofing applications. The common use says a lot about how good an option it is.
Although it cost top dollar compared to other insulation options, it usually pays off. One of the ways to prove this is to think about its outstanding rating in terms of R-value. For short, this insulation option is known as Polyiso, so you should not get confused if you hear it referred to in this manner.
XPS (Extruded Polystyrene)
This is the best option for people that want to enjoy a blend of EPS and Polyisocyanurate. It does not offer all of the benefits of EPS or Polyisocyanurate but falls right between both in terms of performance and cost.
One of the biggest highlights of this insulation option is its semi-permeable quality. It is so good at this that it has one of the best ratings in this regard.
It is after the substrate is sorted out and the insulation is installed that the TPO sheet can be used. There are a few ways this can be done. This can be by fastening the TPO membrane mechanically to the cover board. This could also happen by making use of a special adhesive to make the membrane bond with the cover board.
Why Should You Go for the TPO Roofing Option?
Some of the reasons (advantages) that could make you consider installing TPO sheets include the following:
Wide Range of Insulation Options
You are not restricted in the choice of insulation option when TPO is used. There are at least 3 very good options you can go with as seen above. The truth is that manufacturers of insulation materials especially for roofs are even coming up with better options.
Could be Fire-Resistant
Some requirements make residential projects very different from commercial and industrial ones. One of them is the subject of fire resistance. While homes need to be protected from fire incidents, you should understand that commercial and industrial facilities are more vulnerable.
As a result, they need roofing options that can help out if fire issues arise. Well, TPO could be that option. There is the possibility of adding chemicals that are fire retardant.
This is especially during the process of manufacturing the sheets. So, you might want to go for such products.
Energy Saving
Some commercial and industrial facilities find it hard to cope with cooling costs during summer. This is because many things generate heat even within the building. Combined with the atmospheric condition, the cooling costs can gulp a lot of money.
Well, you stand a better chance with TPO. This is because the sheets after installation are reflective. Most of them even come in white which helps a lot. This means they make sure the heat is not absorbed to the point where it makes life unbearable for occupants inside the facility.
Conclusion
There are many reasons why commercial and industrial properties are advised to use the TPO option. However, we strongly advise that you go for a contractor that specializes in this kind of project.
Furthermore, make all efforts to deal with the best option locally. For instance, you should opt for a commercial roofing contractor Texas lists if you have your commercial or industrial facility in Texas.
We have discussed some very important things you should know about a very common roofing option for commercial and industrial facilities here. We hope that you see reasons to install this option considering the several benefits attached to it.
