TPO vs. PVC Roofing: Comparing The Differences And Benefits
Is PVC better than TPO? What is TPO roofing? Explore the TPO vs. PVC roofing comparison with Chaffee Roofing! Discover the key differences, benefits…
Service – TPO Roofing Repair
Roof Repairs – TPO Roofing TPO Roofing can be difficult to repair because defects are typically caused by heat welding, a process that requires experience to install and experience to find a defect in. Knowing how to probe a TPO roof, and where to probe a TPO roof, requires extensive experience. Also, knowing how to patch a TPO roof, whether it is welding a new TPO patch over the defect, or installing white EPDM self-adhered membrane, is equally important to make sure the patch works and goes the distance. At Chaffee Roofing, we have been servicing TPO roof systems since TPO roofing came on the market. As a result, we have extensive experience knowing where to look for defects, and how to patch them.
TPO Roofing
TPO roofing is the go-to material for commercial roofers! What is TPO Roofing? TPO (Thermoplastic Olefin) is a single-ply roofing membrane used on flat or low-sloped roof. It’s made of a blend of polypropylene and ethylene-propylene rubber and is designed to be incredibly durable, energy-efficient, and easy for commercial roof installations too. TPO roofing has quickly become one the most popular single-ply roofing membranes in the country due to its many positive properties, including recyclability, UV resistance, and affordability. At Chaffee industrial roofing, TPO roofing is the most common type of material we use for commercial roof installations and commercial roof replacements. While TPO is certainly a dynamic solution, it is not the absolute best option for every commercial roofing application. We’ll discuss when you may want to consider TPO vs PVC roofing or other roof types further down the page. If you’re considering a commercial roofing project in the near future, make sure you do as much research as possible, and be certain to talk to your trusted local commercial roofer, like Chaffee Industrial Roofing! Benefits of TPO Roofing Energy Efficient: TPO roofing is available in many different colors, depending on the manufacturer, although most of the TPO roof colors you will find are white and gray. Bright colored TPO roofs reflect the sun’s harmful UV rays, helping keep internal temperatures cool while preserving […]
How Heat Welding Works On TPO/PVC Membrane
Single-ply roofing materials have become one of the most popular roofing for many reasons: flexibility, durability, lightweight, ease of installation, ease of maintenance, and energy efficiency. The single-ply roof membranes are classified as thermoplastic materials. One of the most important benefits of thermoplastic materials is the ability to heat weld seams together into permanent seams. So, let’s dive right in on how heat welding works on TPO/PVC membranes. In heat welding on TPO/PVC membrane, heat sealing joins thermoplastic films that typically range from 36 mills to 80 mills, depending on the membrane and manufacturer. On TPO/PVC roof systems, heat welding is completed using hot-air welding. This is typically done using a handheld tool or an automatic computerized machine. The automatic computerized machine, which is commonly known as a “robot” or “dog”, is used on field seams and areas that are more wide open. This machine is larger, so it can’t fit in tight spaces, such as under rooftop units or around congested spaces. The handheld welder is used on areas that are too small to fit the larger automatic welder, for example, on rooftop units, vent pipes, and congested spaces. They can also be used on “Start / Stop” locations, which is where the automatic welder begins and finishes its welding process. Key Factors of Heat Welding on TPO/PVC Membrane While solvent welding is a […]
Heat – Welded PVC And TPO Seams Do Away With Seam Weaknesses
A flat roof is only as strong as its weakest seam. Many types of seams are not strong enough under pressure and will fail. Age, foul weather, and even poor application by badly trained roofing mechanics can cause a seam to open. Once the seam opens, the membrane separates, and the next rainfall will do the damage. At Chaffee Roofing, we know that properly installed heat-welded membranes fix the problem of seam weakness. Our years of experience tell us how both PVC and TPO give peace of mind when it comes to solid roofs. Let’s take a closer look at how not to have roof seam weakness become an issue. It’s all in the welding Both PVC and TPO membrane seams are heated-welded together. The rolls of membrane slot into place and our highly-trained Chaffee Roofing technicians go into action. We use robotic welders on large, open plan roofing installations. The onboard computer automatically sets the correct temperature for the material. Hot air welding, using temperatures up to 800 degrees, seal together the seams of the membranes. The computer also sets the correct pressure to apply and the most suitable speed when welding together the PVC seams. The bonding process creates the strongest seal possible in roofing systems. How about the tighter roof areas? While the robotic welder is ideal for the larger roof areas, […]
TPO versus EPDM: which system is better?
One of the most common questions we get is: Which roof system is better, black “Rubber” EPDM or white “Thermoplastic” TPO? Both are similar in price, both come with 15-30 year warranties, both are made by reputable manufacturers, and both are widely installed throughout New England. So that begs the question, is one roofing material actually better than the other? Key Differences In my view, neither roof system is definitively better than the other. However, they do have key differences that may have an impact depending on your building. These differences include: Our approach at Chaffee Roofing is to evaluate each building’s unique needs and requirements before recommending a roof system. In a restaurant, for example, TPO is typically the better option due to grease and oil output. On a manufacturing plant that operates at a higher temperature than typical inside the building, EPDM would be a better option. On a strip mall, with multiple different tenants, it’s a toss-up based on current and future use. In our view, neither system is definitively better than the other, it’s more about how your building is used and which roof system is a better match based on the building’s needs. Call Us Your roofing project is only as good as the installing company and the product they use. On TPO roof systems, this is especially important since […]
Variety Of TPO Manufacturers Leads To Varying Results
Thermoplastic-polyolefin, otherwise known as TPO, is an excellent roofing material. There are a lot of manufacturers bringing TPO to the market, but few supply the top quality. At Chaffee Roofing, we are all too aware of the differences in quality TPO available. By having only the best suppliers, we guarantee that our customers get superior materials. We also visit a lot of TPO manufacturers to keep up-to-date with changes in the product. Recently, we looked at samples of TPO, to see where the differences lie. What problems come from poor quality TPO We love TPO and use it daily, knowing that our customers are getting a quality roofing product. Poor quality TPO can lead to such problems as seam failures, where the seams lift or split where they meet. Another issue we see is the TPO cracking under pressure from hot or icy conditions. Similarly, poor quality TPO can look “chalky,” which is when the top layer of TPO basically breaks down and starts to wash away. Less reputable manufacturers may bring out a new version of TPO without testing it thoroughly. In these cases, you as the customer could be the guinea pig. In contrast, quality, well-made TPO tends to be pretty consistent. While small changes may be made here and there, the product itself remains pretty consistent. Different formulas lead to varying qualities […]
PVC Versus TPO – What is the Difference?
PVC Versus TPO TPO and PVC have a lot in common. Both are heat weldable roof systems that are typically white in color and have been around for a while. Their specifications are also similar and both roof systems come with warranties varying from 15 – 30 years in length. In addition, most manufacturers can make TPO and PVC in a variety of colors, sometimes even custom colors. So what’s the difference? Polyvinyl Chloride, PVC, is known for being one of the original single-ply roof systems and is typically a rigid product. It was first introduced to the United States in the 1970s and initially had a bad track record. Think of a PVC pipe or PVC trim on a house: that is PVC in its natural state. However, in order to make PVC flexible, plasticizers are added to the membrane. Problems can occur from the addition of these plasticizers when they leach out of the membrane in a process called “plasticizer migration.” This causes the PVC membrane to shrink, shatter and crack over time. In fact, some of the first generation PVC roof systems, which were not reinforced, would completely shatter like glass. Today, modern PVC roof systems manufactured by reputable companies have greatly reduced the problem of plasticizer migration. In many cases, this problem has been reduced from entire roofs failing to just […]
What Makes TPO Stand Out Among Other Rubber Roofing
Flat rubber roofing is the perfect solution to commercial, flat roof problems. It is durable, easy to maintain and will last for many, many years. At Chaffee Roofing we always have clients asking us to recommend a flat or rubber roofing product for their commercial roofs. Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) is almost always discussed. We put together this post to show why TPO stands out among rubber roofing varieties. Top reasons TPO stands out as a rubber roofing solution are: Low-cost, yet high quality White color reflects the sunlight It has heat-welded seams and flashings, the strongest technology in the industry Resists the growth of mildew and corrosion Let’s take a closer look at each point. Low-cost, yet high quality A big appeal for any roofing project is the cost of the raw material. TPO is the least expensive flat or rubber roofing material on the market, sometimes by a decent amount depending on what other products are being proposed. When you are doing a commercial installation, involving a large roofing area, the lower cost can be very attractive, especially since you are typically receiving the same warranty as competing products. Low cost does not mean low quality. TPO is a top-quality roofing material that has been around for over 40 years. White color reflects the sunlight A big problem for many companies is that a […]
6 Reasons TPO Roofing Is Better Than PVC
You would be hard pressed to tell the difference between a TPO roof and a PVC roof from a distance. Both substances look the same; they are usually some shade of white, and contractors use them on similar roofing projects. Clients often ask us which is the better option and at Chaffee Roofing we tend to come down on the side of TPO. The next questions always begin with a why. Why is TPO better than PVC? Why does Chaffee Roofing think it is better? Why not PVC? To answer your questions we compiled these six reasons why we believe TPO is better than PVC: Let’s take a closer look at each point to see why we prefer TPO to PVC for your roofing project. Puncture Resistance Is Greater in TPO When you put a roof on your building, or buildings, you want it to last. You do not want it puncturing easily, especially when you have a large area to cover. TPO, depending on thickness, is very puncture resistant and is superior to standard PVC at every depth. Stormy conditions drive branches and other debris at high speeds onto roofs. A branch hitting the PVC may easily make a hole, with plenty of rainwater following it. In Cold Climates PVC Shatters This is an essential consideration under our current, unstable climate. We get icy […]