Maintaining Your Commercial TPO Roofing System
If you do not know a TPO roof from a gingerbread house, you may be missing out on a great solution to Tampa’s tremendous heat and blazing sun.
Thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) is a single-ply, highly reflective membrane. A TPO roof is an increasingly popular choice for commercial roof installations because of its resistance to heat, its resistance to chemical degradation from ultraviolet light (UV), and its easy workability.
A Typical TPO Roof
A TPO roof is made from polyprophylene and ethylene-propylene rubber. These two chemicals are polymerized into a single mixture, together with fillers like talc, carbon or fiberglass. The typical Tampa TPO roof is notable for its durability and water resistance.
According to experts at TPORoofing.org, TPO combines the best property of EPDM roof membranes — durability — with the fast installation technology of hot-air weldable seams. This leaves the TPO roof with seams three to four times stronger than EPDM. It also lowers installation costs to building owners, since the material can be worked on site with the same water-resistant results expected in a custom single-ply PVC roof.
How is a TPO Roof Installed?
A professional Tampa roofer will install a TPO roof in one of two ways:
- A fully adhered system
- A mechanically attached system
Either method allows the white, light gray or black membrane to stay exposed throughout the life of the roof.
TPO: The Popular Option
Most TPO roofs capture all the advantages of PVC roofs without the higher costs associated with extremely long-wearing PVC. Since TPO is installed and seamed on site, the custom-fitting and higher costs associated with factory-seamed single PVC membrane roofs are not factors.
Another great advantage of white TPO roofing, especially in Tampa’s hot climate, is its energy efficiency. A white TPO roof will reflect infrared (heat) radiation back into the environment, instead of allowing it to enter your commercial building. It means your HVAC system will not have to work as hard to keep your building cool and comfortable.
Make It Last
To make your TPO roofing last as long as possible, develop a plan with your commercial roofer to include:
- Annual inspection and repair to prevent leaks
- Roof preservation to maximize your capital investment
- Quick emergency service, should a leak develop
For a superior roof for your Tampa business, please consider Aderhold Roofing Corporation, your partner in perfect roofs. Contact us today to learn how TPO roofing can be an advantage to your Tampa business, financially, structurally, and environmentally.