What is the difference between TPO and EPDM?

Believe it or not, TPO is actually in a broad family of rubber roofing materials. TPO is a blend of polypropylene and ethylene-propylene rubber. EPDM stands for Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer. PVC is produced by the gaseous reaction of ethylene with oxygen and hydrochloric acid.

Keeping this in view, is EPDM better than TPO?

That being said, TPO seams tend to be much stronger than EPDM seams because of the way they are adhered to the roof. While EPDM is usually placed in a single sheet without seams, if there are seams, they may not be as strong.

Furthermore, what is a TPO membrane? TPO stands for thermoplastic polyolefin, a single-ply roofing membrane that covers the surface of the roof. The name is a bit misleading, because rather than being a plastic, TPO is actually one of a few different types of rubber, usually a blend of polypropylene and ethylene-propylene rubber.

In this regard, how do you tell the difference between TPO and PVC roofing?

The most significant difference between PVC and TPO roofs is their chemical makeup. TPO was designed to be a superior material to PVC. However, because the goal was to make TPO cheaper, the final formulation of the membrane turned out to be substandard.

Is TPO more expensive than EPDM?

TPO membrane can provide combined benefits of both, EPDM rubber and PVC roofs, but at a more economical cost than PVC. It's therefore not surprising that TPO roofing systems are quickly growing in popularity and demand, in both residential and commercial flat roof markets.

39 Related Question Answers Found

Does EPDM have to be glued down?

While the rubber roofs are known to be durable, they also need maintained. EPDM roofs are fully adhered or as many call it glued down. The system is not attached mechanically. If you are set on a rubber roof, make sure the roofing contractor is fully trained and experienced in installing a rubber roof.

How long does EPDM last?

50 years

How much does a roll of EPDM cost?

Cost data is based on research by HomeAdvisor. Rubber roofing commonly comes in a roll or sheet – often referred to as a membrane. On average, you'll spend about $7,500 for 1,500 sq. feet with a range of $6,000-$18,000.

Who makes the best TPO roofing?

SRI obtained various rolls of all the major TPO brands from 2013 to 2014. The top brands included in the study are: GAF EverGuard Extreme TPO (50 and 60 mil), GAF EverGuard TPO (60 mil), Johns Manville TPO (60 mil), Firestone UltraPly TPO (60 mil), and Carlisle Sure-Weld TPO with OctaGuard XT (60 mil).

How much should a TPO roof cost?

TPO roofing material costs range between $160 and $500 per square. TPO roofing labor costs range between $500 and $800 per square.

Does TPO shrink?

TPO does not shrink over time, but PVC can and this will cause many problems on a roofing job. Both products are resistant to chemical spillages but PVC would be a lot more durable than its rival.

What does a TPO roof look like?

The most common TPO material is bright white with highly reflective properties. This bright white roof installation can reflect UV rays and heat from the building, saving money during the summer months from decreased energy usage to cool the building interior.

Can you Weld TPO to PVC?

There are differences between hand- welding TPO and PVC. When welding PVC material with the temperature settings adjusted correctly, a fine line of bleed-out will be visible on the seam area that is being welded.

How long has TPO roofing been around?

The Remarkable Growth of Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) Roofing Systems. TPO-based products have been available since the 1980s; the first sheets for membrane roofing were introduced in 1989. By 1993, the earlier non-reinforced membranes were replaced by fabric-reinforced sheets, the version available today.

What does TPO roofing mean?

The term TPO stands for Thermoplastic Polyolefin. Believe it or not, TPO is actually in a broad family of rubber roofing materials. TPO is a blend of polypropylene and ethylene-propylene rubber. EPDM stands for Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer.

Is TPO roofing PVC?

While TPO and PVC are both in the thermoplastic, single-ply family, they are very different in their base chemical composition. Both TPO and PVC look similar but PVC has been used as a roofing material since the 1960s, while TPO roofs started to be used in the 1990s. PVC has over 50 years of proven performance.

How long does a PVC roof last?

20 years

How much does a PVC roof cost?

PVC Roofing Average Costs

PVC roofing generally costs $4.00 to $7.00 per square foot installed, but could be as much as $8.00 to $12.00 or more per square foot. For an average sized 1,500 square foot roof, that works out to a total PVC roofing cost of $6,000 to $18,000.

Is TPO waterproof?

No, the KOSTER TPO membranes, as a waterproofing material, can be used on several fields of application, but due to its characteristics, traditionally flat roofs are the majority of its use, mainly because it is the most demanding field of application in a construction.

Can you walk on a TPO RV roof?

An EPDM RV roof (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer), or a TPO RV roof (Thermal Poly Olefin). Fiberglass roofs are good for walking on but they can be extremely slippery when wet. Aluminum – It's fairly unlikely that you will find an RV with an aluminum roof unless the RV is pretty old.

How much does TPO roofing cost?

While prices always vary, TPO roof replacement costs generally range from $7 to $13 per square foot. Like other types of roofing, TPO systems are priced in 100 square foot sections, commonly called “squares”. As a result, commercial roofing contractors commonly price TPO roofing between $700 and $1,300 per square.

Does TPO have an R value?

Both types have an R-value ranging from 4-R to 6-R per 1 inch of insulation thickness. Mechanically attached installation uses heavy duty screws and barbed plates to hold the membrane down tightly, and is not affected by possible ISO de-lamination.