Consider this: TPO systems have grown from a tiny share of the single-ply roofing market to the #1 choice, making up more than 50% of the single-ply market.
Need more reasons? How about five.
Reflective TPO can save money on energy costs compared to dark EPDM in buildings that use natural gas heat and electric air conditioning. This is true in the sun belt as well as the snow belt, thanks to the simple fact that the color of the roof only matters in sunlight. And when the snow melts, an EPDM roof becomes a dark heat-absorbing sponge — just when you want to reflect sunlight away. In some cities, electricity costs up to 4 times more, per BTU, than natural gas. That doesn’t even include electricity charges, which can account for up to 70% of a total electricity bill. Want to know more?
Punctures often equal leaks. EverGuard® TPO offers greater puncture resistance than reinforced EPDM – up to three times the puncture resistance of non-reinforced EPDM of the same thickness.
TPO is thermoplastic, so you can heat-weld seams, and it’s ideal for repairs. Simply clean the membrane and heat-weld directly to it. EPDM cannot be welded and cannot be re-taped when the weather is too cold to use primer and adhesives, requiring a temporary fix until the weather warms up.
RTPO is a versatile membrane and can be installed in a variety of ways including mechanically attached, adhered, and with the RhinoBond® System. RhinoBond® is an electromagnetic induction welding system and cannot be used with thermoset products such as EPDM. It’s a great way to achieve the look and performance of an adhered system when it is too cold to use adhesives. GAF offers many different adhesives to install both smooth and fleece-back membranes, including low-VOC options. Install fleece-back TPO in as low as 25°F with LRF M Low-Temperature Adhesive.
EPDM can shrink by up to 2 feet per 100-ft. run after installation. That’s four times the shrinkage expected from TPO.
A watertight roofing system depends on strong seams. EverGuard® TPO’s welded seams are stronger than taped EPDM seams. By welding the seams, TPO becomes one monolithic membrane across the entire roof.
GAF offers a full line of EverGuard® TPO membranes, the best-performing TPO in accelerated aging in the largest independent TPO study ever conducted.