While white commercial roofs may be similar in looks, the truth is there are significant differences between commercial roofing systems. In fact, one of the only things they may have in common is their white color. Installation costs, total life span, and warranties, among other things, may vary from system to system. There are many pros and cons to consider for the two most common white roofing systems, TPO and PVC roofing, that could make your decision as to which one is right for you.
PVC Roofing
Polyvinyl chloride, known as PVC, is a roofing material that has been on the market for a lot longer than its TPO counterpart. Because of the chemical properties of PVC roofing, it is known to be strong, flexible, resistant to most chemicals, and also fire retardant.
Its structure consists of three layers. The top layer is the layer that is exposed to weather, UV rays, and foot traffic. This layer is the thickest and most durable. The middle layer is reinforcement and is key to the strength and durability of PVC roofing. The final layer is the base layer. Based on budgets and expenses, there are various types of base layers, ranging from higher thread count to lower thread count. Because this layer isn’t exposed to outside elements, alternative options are available to help lower the overall cost of installation.
TPO Roofing
TPO roofing, while not on the market as long as PVC, is gaining in popularity. Its affordability and energy efficiency make it stand out among roofing systems. While TPO roofing is flexible, its middle layer isn’t quite as stormy as PVC roofing. However, what it lacks in strength, it makes up for in other areas. TPO roofing can be mechanically fastened or fully adhered, depending on the building and customer preference. For TPO roofing systems, an SRI of 77 indicates its efficiency in radiating heat away from the building, thus reducing A/C overall costs.
There are many factors to consider when choosing a roofing structure. Just because a roof is white doesn’t make it the same as another roof of the same color. To learn more about each roofing system, contact Certified commercial Roofing.
Our expert roofing contractors can help you determine which roofing system is right for you.
