M&M Roofing

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TPO Roofing

TPO Roofing

TPO roofing systems have been around since the early 90’s, and it has grown in popularity to become one of the top roofing choices for commercial building owners and is even being used on residential low slope roofs today. Here in Arizona, TPO is a durable, reflective roof that is durable against the sunlight, heat, and UV rays, costs less than other roofing systems, and still has great warranties from manufacturers. It does well in all areas of Arizona, from Tucson and Phoenix to the mountain regions of Prescott and Flagstaff.

ABOUT TPO

TPO is a single-ply membrane roofing system, typically installed over insulation board like polyiso, taper board if needed, and then a coverboard to protect the insulation and gives a smooth surface for the membrane. The insulation board adds R-value to your ceiling and roof insulation ratings, and is required by current energy code depending on your climate zone. Combining the high reflectivity of the TPO membrane with the insulation board gives roofs in Arizona the best possible energy efficiency across the board, with the many days of sunlight we experience here.

There are many different suppliers and manufacturers of TPO membrane, including Carlisle Syntec, GAF, Versico, MuleHide, Holcim Elevate, and many smaller brands. M&M Roofing is experienced in installing all types of TPO across Arizona. TPO also comes in different thicknesses, including 45mil, 60mil, and 90mil. The thickness can correlate with a longer life. We recommend using a minimum of 60mil if possible, from a reputable manufacturer such as one listed above. These companies have been manufacturing TPO for decades and their products have stood the test of time compared to new manufacturers, which is important here in Arizona where we experience extreme heat in areas like Phoenix and Tucson, lots of powerful sunlight across the entire state, large variations in temperature, and even snow in areas like Prescott and Flagstaff.
 
TPO roofing is a good choice on most commercial buildings. The only types of buildings we typically don’t recommend it is on restaurants that have grease hoods venting to the roof as the grease can eat away at TPO, or in areas with other high levels of roof contaminants…in these cases, PVC can be a better option.
THE TPO ROOFING SYSTEM IN ARIZONA
There are several layers to a typical TPO roof, and each is integral to the roofing system to ensure a quality roof that lasts.
 
On a TPO roof in Arizona, first the roof deck is inspected and must be in sound condition. Next, insulation board is fastened down to the deck. Most commonly, R-30 is specified on new construction plans today in areas like Phoenix, Flagstaff, and Prescott, which means two layers of approximately 2.6″ thick insulation board, depending on the manufacturer. Fastening patterns vary depending on the manufacturer, engineers, wind rating, and more, but this insulation board must be fastened securely to the roof deck using screws and insulation plates. 
 
Depending on the pre-existing slope of the roof and how it was framed, taper board may be needed across an entire roof, or just in certain areas. This taper board is another small layer of insulation board that generally slopes 1/4″ per foot and facilitates water drainage towards scuppers or roof drains…water should always drain towards these areas. Taper board is a highly important part of the roofing system if there is no existing slope to the roof, or if it is sloped improperly. M&M Roofing will work with you and our preferred manufacturers to create a drainage plan for your roof.
 
On top of that, a coverboard is installed. A coverboard is a 1/4″ to 1/2″ sheet of material that is laid on top of the taper board and insulation to prepare it for the membrane. This material can be another layer of insulation board that has a much higher compressive rating, or a DensDeck board that is a fiberglass-gypsum material. Regardless, the point is to protect the insulation underneath, make the membrane harder to damage, and give a smooth, strong surface for the membrane to be applied to.
 
Once all that is complete, the roof is ready for the TPO membrane. TPO comes in rolls from 5′ to 12′ wide. It is applied in two different ways, or a combination of the two – mechanically fastened and fully adhered. 
 
A mechanically fastened TPO system is laid down over the coverboard, and then screwed down along the seams with screws and large washers. Then, the next roll is overlapped to cover these screws and washers, and the seam is heat welded to create a impenetrable waterproof system. This is repeated across the entire roof.
 
A fully adhered system is used when there are higher wind ratings that need to be met, or if a more durable end product is desired. In this system, special adhesive is applied to the coverboard and then the TPO membrane is rolled over this adhesive. Once the adhesive sets, the roof system will remain in place. Like mechanically fastened systems, the seams are all heat welded to create one continuous roofing system.
Welding Membrane Roof Tucson AZ
LIFESPAN AND WARRANTIES
When we use one of our preferred manufacturers, we are able to purchase a manufacturer’s extended warranty from them to cover your roof. Often called No Dollar Limit warranties, or NDL’s, these warranties will cover your roof 20 or more years. In these cases, the manufacturer will send out a representative to inspect our roof and ensure that it was installed to their specifications, after which they may even do some testing and then issue their warranty certificate. These warranties add a small cost to the overall project but give you peace of mind, especially when purchased from a reputable and longstanding company.
 
Overall, here in Arizona you can expect around a 15-25 year lifespan from a TPO roof if installed properly and using quality materials.
ABOUT M&M ROOFING

M&M Roofing has been installing low slope roof systems across Arizona since 1984 and TPO from it’s early days. We service the entire state, including Tucson, the Phoenix metro (Queen Creek, Gilbert, Chandler, Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale, Glendale, Goodyear, Avondale, Peoria and outlying areas), Prescott, Flagstaff, Kingman, and everywhere in between. Give us a call to schedule a free consultation.

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