TPO vs. PVC Membrane Roof Cost 2023, Pros & Cons of TPO

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.

Cost

Right off the bat, a typical residential TPO roof will cost between $8.50 and $14.50 per sq. ft. installed. Thus, for an average-sized 1,200 sq. ft. flat roof, your total cost to install a new TPO roof can range from $10,200 to $17,400, depending on the project specific variables, contractor choice, and your home’s location.

 

The above cost assumes a low-slope roof on a single-story or two-story house, the cost of materials and supplies, removal and disposal of up-to one layer of the existing material such as EPDM rubber, any necessary site plans and building permits, professional installation, and a 5-year workmanship warranty.

Note: the cost can be significantly higher in expensive metro areas and on complex flat roofs that involve additional work and/or are difficult to access.

Did you know? 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.

TPO in a Nutshell

A TPO membrane is made from ethylene propylene rubber. Special technology is used to chemically bind together, rubber, ethylene (an organic gaseous substance) and propylene (a byproduct of petroleum refining). At the end, numerous filler materials are added, such as talc, carbon filler and fiberglass. — These fillers reinforce the TPO membrane’s strength and durability.

Did you know? TPO roofing membrane has been specifically designed to have the advantages of a rubber roof, combined with hot air-weldable seams for extra durability.

TPO membranes have been manufactured in the US since the early 1990’s and are now the fastest growing segment of the US single-ply roofing industry.

TPO Membrane Options

TPO roofs are manufactured to meet a variety of needs and design specifications. They are available in white, light gray, and black colors. White TPO roofs offer the best solar radiant heat reflection properties, hence they are the most popular choice thanks to their energy-saving potential.

For most residential applications, TPO membranes come in two thicknesses options: 45 mils (.045″) or 60 mils (.060″). The width and length of the membrane can vary depending on the manufacturer, with a typical TPO membrane roll being 6 to 6.5 ft. wide and 100 ft. long.

Other membrane thicknesses and widths are also available depending on the manufacturer, including a 3 feet-wide rolls for the edges of the roof. Commercial grade TPO membranes may have a thickness of up to 80 mils (.080″) and may come in up to 12 feet-wide rolls.

While TPO membranes do offer an impressive number of performance benefits, hot-air welded and fully adhered installation, and environmental advantages, because TPO is still a fairly new product, there are some important considerations you need to be aware of before choosing to install a TPO roof on your home or commercial property.

Advantages

TPO membranes take the best features from its direct competitors EPDM and PVC, while offering homeowners and businesses an innovative, energy-efficient, and cost-effective roofing solution.

Did you know? TPO roofs are durable; resisting dirt, bacteria, algae and debris build-up.

The flexibility of the membrane makes it highly resistant to tears, punctures, and impact damage. This flexibility also allows for a building’s movement and setting, without compromising the roof’s performance.

Moreover, a TPO roof can withstand damaging ultraviolet, ozone and chemical exposure. Hot-air welded seams are very strong, with the welded seam strengths being as much as 3-4 times greater than EPDM adhesive and tape seams.

A white-colored TPO membrane is considered a Cool Roof and is CRRC and Energy Star rated. This means that the membrane reflects the sun’s ultraviolet rays. — This can significantly lower your HVAC costs and make the interior temperature more comfortable during the hot summer months.

Environmentally Friendly

As the demand for green roofing materials continues to grow, TPO is well positioned to meet this need, offering clients an environmentally friendly roofing solution. The solar reflective properties of light color TPO roofs contribute to reduction of energy waste from HVAC systems.

Moreover, reflecting sun’s ultraviolet rays leads to the mitigation of the heat island effect in urban areas and contributes to cooler interior temperatures inside and cleaner air free from smog outside.

Did you know? TPO polymer does not contain chlorine, which is environmentally hazardous.

Further, there are no chlorine-containing ingredients added during production. Importantly, TPO is one of the few 100% recyclable roofing materials available. The membrane can be fully recycled and used again in the TPO manufacturing process; the ground up “rework” gets incorporated into the bottom ply of a brand new TPO membrane.

Disadvantages

Despite all its benefits, a TPO roof has some important drawbacks. The main one is the fact that because TPO is still a fairly new roofing material, many manufacturers are still working on improving their formulations to achieve the greatest durability and longevity at the lowest possible cost. This means, that not all TPO membranes are created equal, and some perform a lot better than others.

Moreover, while strict ASTM standards have finally been established for TPO roofs, they also continue to be revised every few years.

 

Over the years, because of the faulty chemical formulas in the past, many TPO roofs have failed and needed to be recalled. Reported problems included seams coming apart, leaks and membrane failures, especially when exposed to excessive heat over a prolonged period of time.

The good news is that reputable manufacturers have taken care of these issues and ASTM standards have been critical in achieving the base line of minimal acceptable performance and features. — This means that if you choose to purchase a TPO roofing membrane, you are getting a product that does not have a long track record of flawless performance, but rather has a long track record of revisions and improvements. 😉

What to Look for in a TPO Roof?

To safeguard yourself against potential roofing problems and membrane failure, there are some steps you can take to make sure you are getting the highest quality TPO roofing system.

Membrane Quality

The most important thing is to purchase your TPO membrane from a reputable manufacturer that has been in the TPO roofing market since the very beginning (at least for 20 years).

Pro Tip: Do not be lured by super low prices of new TPO manufactures who are just now entering the hot TPO market to make money, but have little experience manufacturing high-quality TPO membranes. Also, only work with a manufacturer that offers a clear warranty policy on their TPO products.

 

Energy Efficiency

Moreover, if you are looking to take advantage of the TPO membrane’s cool roof properties, you need to make sure that the membrane you purchase meets the initial and three-year ENERGY STAR requirements.

Note that some TPO manufacturers have not even been on the market long enough to meet the three-year requirement for an ENERGY STAR qualification.

For best energy efficiency performance, purchase a TPO membrane with a smooth surface. This is critical, as a smooth surface offers the best protection against dirt and debris, which over the years severely reduce the roof’s reflective properties and lead to accelerated aging.

Durability and Longevity

To purchase the most durable TPO roof, make sure that the membrane can be welded at the highest temperature range. Poor weldability is one area where most problems with TPO membranes occur.

Proper weldability will ensure greater productivity and more reliable seams. In turn, strong seams mean better wind uplift performance and fewer leaks.

Another important factor is thickness, you want the top ply of your TPO membrane to be thicker. It will cost you more, but will eliminate future problems, as thicker membranes offer greater protection against weathering and solar radiation.

ASTM’s minimum required thickness is 11 mils, and it’s advisable that for the best performance a TPO membrane’s thickness is over 20 mils.

References:

http://www.astm.org/SNEWS/AUGUST_2003/obeoli_aug03.html