Tpo Roofing Is Relatively Recent
When you take a look at the popular roofing materials other than TPO, such as EPDM, modified bitumen, etc., you will realize that TPO is relatively newer than all of them. TPO made its entry in the late 80s or the early 90s. This is considered to be a short span. So if you want a material that has been around for quite some time, then you might have your doubts.
Best Tpo Roofing Manufacturers
Part of a roof consultants job is to specify the type of roofing material to be used in a roofing project, and to list the acceptable manufacturers whose products can be used for the job.
Our company has been dealing with commercial roofing manufacturers for over 50 years .
Through our own experience and networking in the roofing industry, weve developed a short list of manufacturers who make quality TPO roofing.
These manufacturers have a reputation for high manufacturing standards, honoring their warranties without a lot of baseless argument, and being honest about what their products can and cannot do.
There was a study performed in 2015 to test and rank the quality of TPO roofing products from the top TPO roofing manufacturers. The study was commissioned by GAF, although it was performed by an independent testing laboratory.
If youd like to read a very detailed summary of the study, its available here on the GAF website.
It might be a coincidence that the manufacturers in the study are the same ones on our list. We had our list before we read the study.
Remember that new TPO roofing formulations are still being tested by manufacturers. The TPO that a manufacturer was producing 10 years ago may not be the same product that theyre making today.
And just because we dont list a manufacturer here doesnt mean they dont make high quality TPO. Heres a full list of TPO roofing manufacturers.
Heres our list of the best TPO roofing manufacturers:
Which Tpo Brands Perform Best
When there are so many claims about TPO, how do I choose the best brand? GAF engaged Structural Research Inc. , a well-known and highly respected laboratory, to perform the most extensive independent performance study of four major U.S. TPO brands.
Each brand performed similarly in tests for thickness above the scrim and weld strength. Where membranes differed most was in heat-aging, weathering, and weight-loss trials. Results from these three tests are more accurate indicators of long-term membrane performance.
Accelerated weathering tests how long a TPO membrane will last. GAF and Firestone were the two top-performing brands when subjected to accelerated weathering.
- The GAF study found that their EverGuard Extreme 60 mils and 50 mils performed best, showing no visible failures for more than 190 days.
- GAFs EverGuard TPO and Firestone TPO came in second place. The GAF failed at 112 days, and the Firestone at 105.
- In third place was Carlisle, which failed at 77 days, and Johns Manville, failing at 70 days.
Weight loss in each product was also measured during the accelerated weathering test. Weight loss matters because it leads to membrane breakdown and failure. When membranes lost 1.5% of their weight, they were considered a failure.
- In the weight loss test, GAF EverGuard Extreme 50 and 60 mils didnt fail under the accelerated weathering conditions until after lasting more than 190 days.
- GAF EverGuard TPO failed at 125 days and Firestone TPO at 136 days.
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How To Repair Aluminum Rv Roof
Have a metal roof on your RV? Heres how to seal and repair their punctures.
Resealing aluminum RV roofs
For aluminum and other metal RV roofs, resealing is done with a special coating designed for the material, such as Dicors Metal RV roof coating. This forms a rubber-like top layer and is resistant to mildew and rust.
Of course, you wouldnt apply a thick white coating to a rounded metal RV like an Airstream. For these , sealing joints and rivets with a caulking gun is essential.
Repairing punctures or tears
Depending on the size of the puncture, you may be able to repair your metal roof with a peel and stick patch. Make sure to buy one that is designed for metal roofs, as the adhesive formula is a little different. Simply clean the area, stick the patch over it, and roll out air bubbles with a small roller.
For more significant damages, the best way to repair a metal roof is by replacing the metal panel, which is a process that will vary depending on your particular RV.
Tpo Roof Is Waterproof
Because TPO roofing is waterproof, it will protect your home from both damaging rain and fire damage. Another key advantage is TPO membranes can bring a Class A fire resistance rating from Underwriters Laboratories . TPO manufacturers add fire retardant chemicals in the manufacturing process to achieve this rating.
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The Benefits Of Tpo Roofing
If you are not yet acquainted with the benefits of TPO roofing, theres a lot to absorb. For example, one of the chief advantages of TPO roofs is durability. TPO roofs resist bacteria, debris, algae, and dirt. In addition to having an established resistance to these elements, TPO roofs are generally white, which reflect the sunlight, also known as ultraviolet rays. With a flexible membrane, TPO roofs can resist impact damage, punctures, and tears, as a good roof system should. If you are wondering about making the switch to TPO roofing, please allow us to help you make the right decision for your roof system. Were only a phone call away at _.
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Patch The Roof With Elastic Cement
Another typical repair method is to use elastic cement to patch up any fractures or damage in the roof. Waterproofing membranes like this has been getting increasingly popular as a quick DIY solution to roof issues. Theyre accessible, easy to use, and convenient in residential and commercial buildings for small fixes.
However, like most quick retail solutions, elastic cement should be considered as more of a band-aid solution. As mentioned in the previous option, a secondary coating of professional-grade PVC material as a waterproofing membrane is the better, more long-lasting.
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Can You Patch A Tpo Roof
For small repairs, you can use patches made for TPO roofs. The key to this minor repair would be to use high-quality and flexible elastic cement. This product will provide a waterproof seal and protect the RV or trailers interior construction materials.
Or you can use Dicors lap sealants. Since they make the TPO roof, their patch or repair products would be ideal to use. The instructions would be on all the containers. You can go to their website to see which of these products are best for your repair project.
Some people use a roof coating for major repairs. These coatings are good as long as they are made for TPO roofing materials. You can try Dicor to see if they have such products on hand. Or you can try the different big box stores, internet marketplaces, and other hardware outlets to find them.
The key to using those coatings is NOT to paint yourself in the opposite corner from your ladder or escape route. Even experienced roofers and painters get stuck once in a while and make this mistake.
How To Repair Rubber Rv Roof
There are three main types of repairs that you may come across: applying a sealant to the roof, resealing joints, and patching holes and tears.
Applying sealant to the roof
If your EPDM or TPO rubber roof is looking chalky or flaky, its likely due for a fresh coat of sealant. Over time, the top layer protective coating breaks down, leaving your roof more susceptible to leaks and UV damage.
Reapplying sealant isnt too difficult. When purchasing the rubber roof coating or sealant, be sure to have your RV measurements in mind so you get the right amount. After cleaning the entire roof and letting it dry, you can coat the roof with a roller, much like you would with paint.
Be sure to read and follow the proper prep instructions detailed on the sealant container.
Resealing joints
More often, RV owners have issues with leaks around edges or joints rather than through the membrane itself. Antennas, screws, vents, A/C units, and other rooftop protrusions have sealed seams that are prone to cracking and peeling, allowing water to seep in.
Joint reseals can be done with a tube of self-leveling sealants. Simply follow the prep instructions on the bottle, and caulk around the joints. Even if there is no obvious damage, resealing joints periodically is one of the best ways to prevent leaks from happening.
Patching a hole or tear
Replacing an RV rubber roof
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How Much Does Tpo Roofing Cost
TPO roofing is a relatively inexpensive rubber roofing material thats most often used on commercial buildings. TPO stands for Thermoplastic Polyolefin its made primarily from recycled rubber, and sold in rolls that are held together by seams that are glued together using heat.
If youre considering using TPO, or other types of rubber roofing on your home, its important to know that this type of roofing is best suited to flat roofs, or those with a very low pitch. While this type of roofing can be very cost-effective, it does come with a unique list of pros and cons. Here, well discuss those and much more, including typical TPO roofing costs and TPO roofing material prices.
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How Is Tpo Roofing Repaired
TPO roofing is relatively easy to repair, as long as the issue is not with installation . But if you’re looking at the most common issue seen with TPO roofing – cracks or holes in the membrane – it’s repaired with just a few easy steps.
Thoroughly Clean The Area
Repairing TPO roofing starts with the right preparations. First, the area around the hole or crack needs to be cleaned using a brush or a garden hose. Debris and dirt need to be swept away to get a smooth surface to work with. While cleaning, keep an eye out for any loose stones or gravel that might have settled in between the cracks these should be removed so that theres no risk of them getting sealed into place when you repair the roof.
Apply Adhesive Sealant To The Area
In order to fill any gap left by mounting repairs and ensure a strong bond, the next step in repairing TPO Roofing is to apply a generous amount of adhesive sealant to the damaged area. It’s important that an even application is used in order to guarantee it creates a secure, waterproof seal. Once applied, the sealant will need to cure and dry completely before any exposure to moisture for optimal performance.
Apply A TPO Patch
Smooth Out The Patch
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Tpo Rv Roof Repair Tips
1. Buy the right sealant and coatings- you want products that are specifically made for TPO roofing materials. Other products made for other roofing materials will not work here.
2.Cost- If you do not want to do this work or cant do it, be prepared to pay a fairly high price for a professional to do it. Those costs can range between $600 and $1000 depending on your area.
This is not a task to leave to someone who is not experienced in roofing repairs. If you can supervise, then you will need to be on the roof with the inexperienced worker and make sure they do the job right.
3. Dont wait- this type of damage is not something you can let go of and do another year. You need to tackle the holes, cracks, and other damage as soon as possible.
If you wait the problem gets worse and not only will the repair be more expensive and time-consuming, but it also may extend into your walls, etc.
4. Be systematic- Plan your repair roue in advance and stick to it. Dont hopscotch from one spot to another. Mark where the repairs need to be and follow those marks till you are done.
5. Pay special attention to seams- this area is your roofs weakest link. Make sure to spot any trouble before it gets too large. The roof may be in fine shape but those seams may be wearing out.
Pay special attention to the edges and any wrap overs you may have as well as vents and other similar parts on your roof. Holes and leaks pop up anywhere and everywhere
Shrinkage Due To Heat
Constant exposure to heat causes the single-ply membrane to shrink. Seam failures crack and loosen adhesives.
Then, the rubber gradually shrinks as the temperature increases. If left untreated, youll see severe deformity in your flat roof.
HEAT is the number-one contributor to all TPO roofing system problems.
Even with a reliable material manufacturer, UV rays cant be avoided. If there is a tear, puncture, or other damage to the roof, UV rays enter the adhesive layer.
This causes more damage and a loss of energy efficiency.
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Tpo Roofing Solar Reflectance
One assumption that a lot of people have about colored TPO is that if the roof membrane isnt white, it wont be as cool and it wont qualify for LEED points.
This is only partially true. The solar reflectance of tan TPO roofing, for instance, isnt much lower than that of the white TPO. Colored TPO membranes can meet energy savings requirements and qualify for LEED points.
To earn LEED credits, a low-sloped roof surface needs a minimum initial SRI of 82 or a minimum three-year aged SRI of 64. You can read more about LEED roof credits on the Buildings website.
The initial solar reflectance for white TPO is 99. The initial solar reflectance is 86 for tan TPO.
And the 3-year aged Solar Reflectance Index for white TPO is 85, while for tan TPO its 77.
These are numbers you can work with.
Note: These values can vary by manufacturer and specific product. Product data sheets should always be available on the roofing manufacturers website where you can find the solar reflectance information for any roof membrane .
How To Fix A Leaking Flat Roof
Finding a leaking roof yourself from the inside of your property is possible, especially if it is a small leak.
Start by measuring the distance from the spot where you can see the leak to the nearest two walls, and then use those measurements to locate the leak on the outside of the rooftop itself.
Note that the majority of flat rooftops have a slight slope in order to allow for runoff, so you should start trying to locate the leak from the possible point of entrance on the roof, since the water will naturally run downhill.
Of course, you should also start by looking for rips, punctures, worn spots, loose or popping screws, separations in the seams, or other issues with your flat roof membrane.
If you dont find any obvious damage, youll want to check out the vent pipe boots, the caulk around the vents, flashing, and related structures for holes, damages, or other imperfections.
If you do all of this and still cant locate any leaks, call in a professional flat roof contractor as soon as possible to find the leak and repair them.
Having the materials and tools on how to repair a flat roof is also essential, youll need replacement materials and basic tools on hand at the very least so if that seems overly complex, call a professional to take care of your roof damage issues.
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Installing The Insulation Layer
The TPO membrane is installed over insulation and cover board. In Denver commercial roofing, insulation is installed above the steel, wood, or concrete roof deck .
There are a few types of insulation:
- Polyisocyanurate The most popular insulation type for flat roofs, Polyiso is more expensive but brings the best R-value per inch.
- Expanded Polystyrene With great R-value per dollar, EPS is great for roof, floor and wall insulation. EPS is commonly used to build tapered systems and crickets for flat roof drainage.
- Extruded Polystyrene Usually with a blue, green or pink color, XPS is in-between Polyiso and EPS in terms of price and insulating performance. Having a perm rating of 1, XPS is considered semipermeable.
A layer of cover board is installed over the insulation to add durability and protection against hail.
The Most Common Issue With Tpo
It may be tempting to write off cracks and holes in TPO roofing as ‘just part of the job’. It’s important to keep in mind though that interior and exterior damage can happen more quickly than you’d expect – especially during colder months. If you notice any cracks or holes in TPO roofing, it’s essential to schedule repairs promptly. Ignoring the issue may come at a cost further down the line when larger repairs are needed. Getting it repaired at first sight can save you a lot of headaches and money in the long run.
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Address Water Damage Before It Worsens
If water damage isnt immediately patched, repaired, or corrected, the roofs damage could become so extensive to the point that you might need a complete overhaul! Immediately after extreme weather, make sure that you look into the damage and call professionals to fix it.
Always conduct regular inspections of your propertys roof following exposure to severe weather. Get your free roof assessment today or contact WaterTight for an in-depth consultation!
