Are you asking "What is TPO roofing?" Read this article to learn everything you need to know about TPO roofing for your Austin home.
It is part of your home that no one ever sees, they cannot touch it but they definitely can feel its presence. What is it?
It is your roof. Or more accurately we should say your
roofing system .
In this article, we will help you understand some of the basic principles of roofing systems while explaining the answer to the question, "what is TPO roofing?"
There are many roof shapes and structures, but the one we will focus on in this article is the flat roof. This design is popular because you can cover a large surface area with less material than a sloped roof and so it is cheaper.
That said, it comes with its challenges. One is that water does not naturally drain from the roof in the same way as a sloped roof. Therefore, the roof surface has to be especially resistant to the penetration of water.
Welcome to the concept of the roofing membrane. Check out some pictures of flat roofs and their
membranes here
membranes here
TPO is an acronym that stands for
Thermoplastic Polyolefin . It is one version of a roofing membrane that will form a protective layer for your roofing system. The roofing system refers to all the components required to provide the roof, one of which is the membrane.
If you consider first, the word thermoplastic you can quickly discern that the basic material for the membrane is a plastic that can be manipulated by heat. The
word Polyolefin indicates it is also a synthetic polymer which means it is a chemical blend of ingredients that produce some very useful physical properties.
TPO is lightweight, heat-deflective, water-resistant, durable and highly flexible. It is a single-ply membrane which means it is easy to apply as your roof with the right equipment & underlayment.
Engineered to Be Flexible.
TPO is engineered with flexibility mind. Typically coming in light colors which can have a bearing on your roof's reflectivity of
UV rays . Residential buildings tend to have a thinner membrane thickness than commercial buildings.
Commercial buildings, where you need to keep the contents cool, are better served by using a thicker membrane. The higher
R Value combined with light colors to better .
Another consideration is that depending on the weather and where your building is located, the building will move and flex to some degree. Of course, that is invisible to the human eye but it is certainly noticed by the building materials as a degree of pressure is exerted on them. Flexible membranes, like TPO, are less likely to tear under such a strain.
TPO Roofing and Fire
It is note worthy that many natural materials are highly flammable. They may look good but if they catch fire the whole building is at risk. There are multiple reasons why a building could catch fire, the last thing you want is a flammable roof.
TPO has a big advantage in that it has a
Class A fire rating . That means the roof is resistant to fire and even if it does catch fire, it will not spread easily. This is good news for both residential and commercial building owners.
TPO: Not One Size Fits All
So far, TPO roofing may sound like the perfect solution for everyone, but that is not the case and it is not realistic. TPO roofing like all roofing materials has some limitations.
The most important one is that a flat roof is more susceptible to leaks due to it hold water easier than a sloped roof. This can be avoided with proper application.
The use of a TPO system for a roof top patio seems like a great idea but the material can not stand up to high foot traffic by itself. There are options to cover the TPO for use as a patio.
In particular, it must be noted that TPO is still relatively new in its use. That means that not all products are the same on the market. It is synthetic which means that manufacturers are still developing their product.
Some products will be excellent value and high performing while others are inferior. The short of it is that you must do your research first and choose a highly reputable provider. Even if TPO is not for you, there still are other great materials you can use.
Check out this great article that describes 4 of the
best contemporary roofing materials .
Don't Stop Until You Reach the Top
In this article, you have read about what is TPO roofing and its application to flat rooves. It is a brilliant material and a tribute to human chemical engineering. It requires specialized fitting to the roof and experience.
"A Roof Over Your Head"
This is a well known English idiom that refers to the basic need everyone has for a home or place to live. The fact that it mentions a 'roof' shows how important this ingredient is to have an inhabitable place.
Austin Roofing is your top local roofing company. We have an excellent reputation and we care about our neighbors. You can read about our values, charity, and non-profit projects and what makes us a top company to
work with, Local People Helping Local People .
If you have any questions, please get in touch through our
contact page on our website.
