Although there are many roofing materials available on the market, TPO has high ratings these days. Haven’t you heard about TPO before? Don’t worry, our roofing researchers, after thorough research, compiled facts to write down everything necessary for you to know about TPO roofing. What is TPO roofing? Thermoplastic Polyolefin is a flexible rubber type roofing material made of polypropylene. Do you know? It’s polypropylene that makes TPO flexible?.
Moreover, TPO is a modern roofing material that benefits you in many ways. It is flexible, energy-efficient, and long lasting. Due to its components, it’s easy to install TPO on your flat or low sloping roofs. Isn’t it a cool invention? It surely is. Now let’s discuss it in detail.
What is TPO made of?
The membrane, or sheet, of TPO has three layers:
- Base layer: This layer is made of polypropylene. Polypropylene is known for its elasticity. Moreover, it is a durable chemical that helps TPO roofing last longer.
- The middle layer, also known as scrim, is flexible; the flexibility of these layers helps the TPO membrane roll out easily on the roof.
- Top layer of TPO: This layer is also made of polypropylene, which also helps in making TPO more flexible.
So, you see, all layers help TPO be more and more flexible and durable.
Why should you choose TPO roofing?
If you have made up your mind about shifting from other ordinary roofing to TPO, this section will help you understand why to choose TPO.
Therefore, you should consider the following factors before choosing TPO roofing:.
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Flexibility:
Due to its components, TPO is a flexible roofing material. Therefore, they can easily adjust to the roofs. Moreover, their flexibility increases the durability of the material. Stiffness often gets torn up; furthermore, there is a chance that seams detach from roofs easily. However, TPO does not allow its seams to separate from roofs easily. So, why not choose TPO?
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Durability:
Do you know that flexible things often last longer than rigid ones? Ethylene-polypropylene is an elastic that helps TPO adjust any shape. That’s why TPO is a more reliable and long lasting roofing material. It can stay intact on your roof for 15 to 20 years.
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UV resistor:
We all know that white color is a great repellent for UV rays coming from the sun. These UVs are responsible for high temperatures. However, the white color does not absorb them. This helps the HVAC of the building take less effort to keep the building cool.
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Color range:
Usually, TPO comes in white color, however, the manufacturing companies have introduced two more colors: gray and black. Initially, TPOs were used in commercial sectors, now they are being applied to domestic roofs as well. However, you should have a flat or at least low-sloping roof.
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Environment-friendly:
Unlike PVC roofing material, TPO does not contain hazardous chemicals like chlorine. Chlorine can have adverse effects on our environment. Isn’t it a wonderful feature?
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Affordable:
One of the attractive factors in buying TPO roofing material is its affordable price. Unlike PVC, TPO comes at a lower price that most people can afford.
Now that you have decided to install TPO on your roof, You should hire a professional for this task. However, we will tell you the general method of installing TPO.
How to install TPO on the roof:
Before installing TPO on your roof, you need to make sure that your roof is ready, therefore;
- Remove all the debris and dirt, cut any branches of trees sneaking onto the roof, and make further arrangements.
- After cleaning the roof from these things, place the membrane of TPO on the roof and unroll it carefully.
- After the membrane of TPO rests smoothly on the roof, fix the seams properly.
- Moreover, weld the seams with a hot air gun or a welder to fix the seams.
- That’s it! Look around carefully for misplacements.
How often does TPO need maintenance?
Due to the longevity of TPO, it doesn’t require maintenance so early. However, if you see some leakage of water, it might be signs of damage to the seams. Therefore, keep visiting your roof quite often to see that everything is intact. If you see any detachment, immediately contact your contractor and get the issue resolved. Moreover, maintaining the TPO will further increase its sustainability.
Conclusion:
According to the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), PTO has 40% of the roofing market. It’s an emerging market these days. Therefore, we have covered every necessary piece of information regarding TPO roofing material. Go through every portion to get a good insight into TPO.
