Tpo Roofing Membrane Failures

There is another kind of single ply membrane in commercial roofing known as ethylene propylene diene terpolymer epdm but we will focus on thermoplastic polyolefin tpo for now.

Tpo roofing membrane failures.

Pvc vs tpo roofing. Membrane failures were particularly frequent in the states that experience the most heat and uv radiation all year round. Tpo is a single ply roofing system that consisting of a thermoplastic polyolefin membrane. Thus for an average sized 1 200 sq.

In the building industry tpo stands for thermoplastic polyolefin a synthetic rubber compound that has been extensively used for roofing since the late 1980s. After a few years and millions of square feet purchased tpo became the number 1 commercial roofing material installed by volume. Because pvc was seemingly a lot more expensive many architects specifiers and building owners chose tpo membranes especially with the modern craze about cool roofs. Tpo thermoplastic polyolefin membrane is the largest segment in the commercial roofing industry and no manufacturer has more tpo experience than carlisle.

In over 90 percent of all roofing system integrity failures the problem is not due to the roof system itself but to. Tpo membranes have shown no consistency relative to failure mode. If you are looking for a cost effective and durable single ply roofing system for your flat or low slope roof a tpo thermoplastic olefin membrane may be a solid energy efficient option. It fails in less than one year and up to 10 years plus.

The epdm tpo pvc membrane is highly reflective during installation. It is measured that unwashed roofs in industrial environments will lose 40 of their original. Pvc membranes have a proven track record of performance for over 30 years with no recent revisions in the membrane s formulation. A vice president of one of the largest roofing contractors in north carolina.

The data show that when either mode of failure cracking or weight loss is considered the best performing tpo membranes are by far gaf everguard extreme 60 mil and gaf everguard extreme 50 mil neither of which failed until over 190 days. It is made up of a single ply synthetic membrane used to cover flat and low slope roofs. Tpo membranes can be applied directly over old existing roofing material or a bare roof deck with adhesive or mechanical fasteners. The tpo membrane was first introduced to the roofing market in the early 1990 s as a more economical and efficient alternative that was thought to replace pvc roofing products.

At the same time lack of information on problems with tpo also. Cost a typical residential tpo roof will cost between 6 50 and 11 50 per sq. Flat roof your. Carlisle s sure weld tpo membranes have the industry leading octaguard xt weathering package for enhanced long term weathering.

We are seeing a lot of failed 45 mil membrane roofs and expect the 60 mil roofs to follow soon.