With so many roofing options available today, it can be challenging to decide which one is best for your home. One of the most popular is TPO roofing systems. This type of roofing material has several advantages over PVC that make it a good choice for homeowners. In this article we will discuss how this product differs from other roofing materials and why you should choose to have one installed on your property.
What is the Difference Between PVC and TPO?
TPO roofing membranes are made by combining ethylene or polyethylene thermoplastic with ethylene propylene rubber. The result is a material that’s flexible, durable, and waterproof for the long-term protection of your home from water intrusion. PVC roofs use vinyl chloride monomers to create an even more tough membrane than TPOs but have been shown to emit gasses that can be toxic when inhaled at high concentrations over time.
PVC was an early competitor to TPO in the materials race. It is similar to its rival, but there were questions about safety and what happens when plasticizers migrate from PVC sheets? Over time, it has been proven that TPO is weather-resistant, and manufacturers are investing heavily into this material. Surprisingly though–PVC remains a viable alternative! New capacity for making more of these panels will be developed soon enough as demand rises again with increased investment by large companies.
TPO has a clear edge over PVC in terms of weathering (i.e., based on the Heat Aging and Accelerated Weather Testing) and the National Roofing Contractors Association. However, it has some characteristics that building owners and customers need or prefer for their buildings. For example, while TPO is superior in weather resistance–with slightly better tear and breaks strength than PVC roof–PVC excels at chemical resistance, with no absorption to oils or greases from its building’s roof vent traps.
Pros and Cons of TPO Roofing
TPO is a thermoplastic that can be recycled and environmentally friendly. It provides better resistance to puncture than PVC, but it may not withstand harsh chemicals as well. The reflective surface of TPO reduces UV radiation while also helping with energy efficiency by reducing heat absorption in the summertime for buildings or cars alike. They are generally easier to install because they don’t need adhesive as their competitor vinyl does. However, there have been cases where manufacturers used subpar formulations that demonstrated a higher risk of membrane cracking due to its stiffness – though this has become rarer over time.
Another benefit of TPO roofing is that it is resistant to cyclic loading from extreme temperature swings. This means that the material will not become brittle with time. TPO has higher installation costs in terms of disadvantages and is typically only warranted in commercial applications where there are high turnover rates like hotels or motels.
While TPO roofing saves you money and can even make your home or office building cooler, but when the temperatures are too high, it could cause trouble. TPO is sensitive to extreme heat, so depending on where you live in America (southern states usually have a higher annual average temperature), this might be a problem for homeowners with homes that use TPO roofs. If there’s an increase of solar loads beyond average amounts regularly, then disaster may strike if these conditions continue over long periods- like unrelenting sunshine year round!
Is TPO Roofing Durable?
TPO is a highly durable roofing product that can resist tears, punctures, and dirt. TPO’s flexibility makes it well-suited for single-ply roofs because of its ability to minimize expansion and contraction due to the building width changes resulting from temperature fluctuations. This means that your roof won’t need constant repair like other materials may require. Its hot-air welded seams give you six times more strength than glued seam products or those with taped edges!
Is TPO a PVC Roof?
TPO is a single-ply roofing material that reflects heat and conserves energy. Made from rubber, TPO was invented in the 1990s as an economical alternative to PVC roofs. Now it’s popular because of its superior performance for flat roof systems, which have been around since the 1970s.
TPO or thermoplastic polyolefin roofing is better for the environment than PVC. TPO doesn’t contain chlorine like other popular options such as PVC roofs, which can harm our air and water supply. Unlike other types of roofs that use materials with harmful chemicals in them to make them durable, TPO has no environmentally damaging components so that you can breathe easy, knowing your home’s safety isn’t compromised by what lies above its head.
How Many Years Does a TPO Roof Last?
TPOs are the right choice for roofs that you would like to last a long time. TPOs have been known in many cases to last 22-30 years before needing replacements, which is much better than asphalt shingles which only last an average of 12 years. Additionally, TPOs single ply roofing systems can provide your roof with more life and longevity than other materials such as asphalt shingles. They’re typically expected to live up to 30+years and sometimes even more extended periods depending on how well it’s installed or taken care of over its lifetime.
Who Makes The Best TPO Roofing?
GAF’s EverGuard Extreme TPO is the best performing roofing material on today’s market. With a thickness of just 0.0495 inches, its thicker materials will resist hail and other extreme weather conditions longer than any competitor in its class! GAF has maintained that their EverGuard Ultra Xtreme TPO with an unprecedented thickness of only .054 inches. It can withstand even the harshest storms for over 25 years, thanks to its quality construction by experts who use self-expanding foam as part of our innovative design process.
How Much Should a TPO Roof Cost?
A new TPO roof price can range from $25-50 per square foot, which is cheaper than the PVC, which costs about $35-$60 per square foot. In terms of installation costs, there’s an average labor charge for one day at about $150, and materials will typically be around $2000 too.
TPO roofs are more expensive because they have higher quality ingredients that make them last longer without needing maintenance than other types, such as asphalt shingle roofs that need to be replaced every 12 years on average! All in all, you’ll end up saving money with this investment if it lives up to its name. With high turnover rates where buildings are used for more than one function, like hotels or motels, you can’t go wrong with installing TPO roofing as it will be well worth the initial investment.
Is PVC a Good Roof?
A vinyl plastic roofing system is made primarily of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and comes in several different styles of roofing systems, including single-ply membrane roofs. Quite simply put, this type of roofing material has been around since the 1970s because it’s cheap to produce and easy to install on commercial properties where there are high rates of turnover, such as hotels or motels. Still, they’re not nearly as durable when compared against other types of materials like TPO that require much less maintenance over time!
PVC can handle different levels of sunlight exposure without losing its quality, so it’s the perfect material when paired with other elements within an outdoor area where there isn’t much shade coverage present naturally – one word: roofs! Additionally, while these two architectural wonders share some similarities, they also come with unique advantages which differ depending on each project’s needs or purpose. PVC is more resistant to chemicals and has good levels of impact resistance.
On the other hand, TPO has low permeability, so it’s better for longevity in areas with harsh weather conditions like hurricanes or snowstorms. For homeowners who want their roofs to last for decades–they may want to install PVC instead.
Final Thought
PVC and TP are both equally suitable for industrial, commercial, or institutional roofing projects. However, it’s essential to understand what makes each roofing material unique and its respective advantages and disadvantages when deciding between the two. It is also crucial that you purchase from an experienced company and roofing contractor to receive a high-quality product.