Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Single Ply Roofing Options

If it’s time to re-roof your low slope, commercial building, there are numerous things to consider and many options to choose from. Unsure which commercial roofing option to choose? The following may help you get started.

SINGLE PLY SYSTEMS

Single ply membranes are the most widely used products for both new and re-roof, low slope applications. There are several different types of single ply membranes, each with its own features and characteristics.

EPDM (rubber) is a thermoset material, meaning it is in an irreversible, fully cured state when installed. The membrane comes in rolls ranging from 7.5’ x 100’ up to 50’ x 100’. Rolls are seamed together with primer and seam tape or splice adhesives. The product is available in black or white, with the black membrane being the most widely utilized. EPDM is manufactured in both reinforced and non-reinforced rolls, with the reinforced rolls being used less frequently, mostly in mechanically attached installations. On a larger building, an EPDM system utilizing larger rolls will reduce the number of seams thereby reducing the potential for leaks in the future. EPDM was one of the first single ply membranes and for years EPDM had the largest market share out of all the single ply membranes.

TPO is a thermoplastic material, meaning the polymers become softer and more fluid as heat is applied, allowing the membrane overlaps (seams) to be thermally fused at high heat with electronic, robotic welders. Heat welded seams tend to be significantly stronger than taped or glued seams, reducing the potential for seam failure in the future. TPO is reinforced and is available in rolls up to 12’ x 100’. While the vast majority of TPO installations are done with white membrane, it is also available in gray and tan, as well as a variety of other colors. The white membrane is usually preferred, as it lowers roof surface temperatures down to 5 degrees above ambient, which can significantly reduce HVAC load & costs. Black roofs can reach temperatures of 180 – 190 degrees Fahrenheit on a hot, sunny day. While a white, TPO roof would be about 100-105 degrees Fahrenheit on the same day. TPO has more all-around chemical resistance than EPDM.

PVC & PVC Co-alloy are also thermoplastic membranes. PVC is a chlorinated sheet, which gives it resistance to more chemicals than either EPDM or TPO, although there are differences and limits in what chemicals the three membranes can resist. PVC roofing membrane is reinforced and is available in rolls up to 10’ x 100’. PVC is available in white, gray and tan. Other colors may be available, depending on the manufacturer. PVC’s have been around as long as EPDM but tend to be more expensive than EPDM or TPO.

According to Roofing Contractor magazine (Feb 3, 2016), TPO accounted for almost half of all single ply roofing sales. EPDM accounted for 27% and PVC 23%.

These membranes (EPDM, TPO & PVC) can all be installed by mechanically attaching them to the roof deck, fully adhering them to the substrate or ballasting the membranes with river washed stone. TPO & PVC can also be installed with a plate bonded system.

To find out more about these and other roofing systems that are available please contact Matrix Roofing Systems today by calling us at 267-863-4481 or sending an email to Matrix Roofing Systems to get started on your project.

1 comment:

  1. Naples Roofing is one of the authorized roofing contractors in the USA that provides all kinds of roofing services in Buffalo, New York. They provide roofing services for commercial, industrial, or residential roofs as well. They are available during an emergency disaster relief just with a service request. They are a proud member of NRCA (National Roofing Contractors Association) which is one of the oldest business organizations in the construction industry and is the voice of professional roofing contractors all over the world.

    ReplyDelete