Many Reasons to Consider TPO Roofing for a Commercial or Industrial Flat Roof.
It is a common practice to incorporate flat roofing in the construction of commercial and industrial buildings or complexes. This is often an easier and more time-efficient design to install than a sloped or pitched roof, and in the construction business, as in other lines of work, saving time is equated to saving money.
While the basic concept of a flat roof is rather straightforward (let’s face it, it’s flat), the actual choice of roofing material can be a little more complex. In the past, the primary choice was tar-and-gravel, due to its relatively low cost and good fire retardant qualities. But this material is extremely heavy (it is installed in multiple layers), lacks elasticity or flexibility (particularly in cold temperatures) and, should it leak, finding the actual source can prove to be difficult.
In time, through modification processes as well as new technologies, several alternatives have become available for industrial and commercial flat roofing, including lightweight, single-ply materials. These advances, such as PVC, a flexible thermoplastic membrane, offer strong resistance to punctures, UV rays, and damage from chemicals, and can be installed using the following methods:
- Fully Adhered
- Ballast Applied, and
- Mechanically Attached
TPO roofing is another excellent choice among currently available options. TPO roofing is a single-ply thermoplastic polyolefin roofing membrane that is rapidly gaining acceptance worldwide due to many advantages with respect to its ease of installation and its overall performance.
Introduced in the 1990s, TPO roofing delivers many advantages over other commercial and industrial flat roofing materials/systems. The most significant pluses favouring TPO membranes include:
- Less installation time – lower overall labour costs
- Lightweight – less structural stress than tar-and-gravel
- Resistant to punctures (from natural or foreign sources)
- Resistant to mold/fungus growth, dirt accumulation, tears
- Retains watertight integrity over time (minimal shrinkage)
- Withstands exposure to UV rays, chemicals, acids, oils, etc.
- Available in greater widths – fewer seams to seal (or to fail)
- Maintains its flexibility – even in extremely cold temperatures
- Heat-reflective surface – reduces summer energy use/cooling costs
- Overall the most environmentally-friendly of the single-ply membranes
In general terms, it can be perhaps be summarized that TPO membranes offer effective long-term durability/stability and are a more economical and energy-efficient alternative to other flat roofing systems such as PVC membranes and the traditional tar-and-gravel.
A TPO Membrane is an Ideal Choice for Commercial Green Roofing Initiatives
The lightweight nature of TPO roofing makes it an ideal choice for green roof initiatives. Installing this single-ply membrane may be especially attractive to commercial/industrial property owners or managers who may need or want to replace their existing flat roofing and take advantage of subsidies from the City of Toronto’s Eco-Roof Incentive Program.
There are several economic and environmental benefits to integrating TPO roofing with a green roof program, such as:
- Extended roof life expectancy
- Enhanced storm water management
- Improved energy consumption costs
- Increased curb appeal/property value
- Better insulation/soundproofing barriers
Avenue Road Roofing has been providing reliable and expert flat roof installation services for commercial and industrial property owners in Toronto and the surrounding area for more than 40 years. The crews from Avenue Road Roofing are manufacturer-certified to install all types of flat roof systems, including TPO membranes as well as green roofing (extensive, intensive, and semi-intensive) ensuring that such installations will be done in a dependable, time-efficient, and cost-efficient manner.
Looking for an economical, energy-efficient, and eco-friendly alternative to your current industrial or commercial flat roofing? Call the flat roof specialists from Avenue Road Roofing today at 416-785-5129 to book a no-obligation consultation on the benefits of a TPO roofing system.
