How To Tell Whether A Roof Is Pvc Or Tpo

While it is true that tpo and pvc are both single ply membranes for low slope and flat.

How to tell whether a roof is pvc or tpo.

The choices are tpo roofing and pvc roofing the two are both very effective in their jobs but are slightly different when it comes to the material they re made of. Tpo is thin compared to other membranes usually around 1 1 2 millimeters in thickness. When being attached to the roof material it is either nailed or glued on. What is this white flat roof pvc or tpo i went to look at this roof and i think it is pvc but not sure.

It is typically white in color and has a rubbery feel. However while the face of both membranes and their installation are virtually identical they are very different systems on the inside. Two of the hardest flat roof systems to tell apart is the pvc roof and the tpo roof both are white heat welded systems that look virtually identical. Thermoplastic polyolefin tpo this is one of the most common types of membranes used on flat roofs.

The top ply contains additives that make the membrane uv resistant. Yeah 20 years ago and further back a bunch of junk thermoplastics were made. Both commercial and residential customers are increasingly choosing tpo roofs because they are advertised as being similar to pvc in terms of the benefits and installation but offering a more competitive price. It instantly became very popular as it was economical and cost efficient.

Pvc roof material is composed of two layers of pvc with a polyester reinforcement scrim in between. Unlike tpo and pvc roofs that are often mechanically attached an epdm roof is most often fully adhered. Tpo which is short for thermoplastic polyolefin came into the roofing market in the early 1990s as a viable alternative to pvc roofing materials. Within the sphere of single ply commercial roofing meaning roofing needs for businesses and other companies that aren t residences there are two roofing materials that buyers need to make a decision about.

The seams are either glued with the rest of the roof different process same result or they are taped. The top layer is typically white to reflect as much heat as possible but several colors are available and contains plasticizers making the sheet flexible. Basically i can do a test weld with either a piece of pvc or tpo but don t want to drive back there just to determine what it is. Several bad pvcs most of the hypalon products and tpo which at that time was a very new product to the market so new that most manufacturers actually called it tpa thermo plastic alloy since they would routinely change the core supplier ingredients and percentages of each component.