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From Shingles to Rubber


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From Shingles to Rubber

How many different kinds of roofs can you spot on the houses on your street? A few decades ago, you may have only seen shingle roofs, perhaps with the occasional slate roof mixed in. But these days, there are more kinds of roofing on the market. Metal roofs are becoming common because they can be made from recycled materials. Tile is a popular choice because it lasts a lot longer than other roofing materials. And then there are some roofers who install rubber roofs because they're smooth and easy to install. Learn more about roofs of all types on this blog.

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EPDM Vs. TPO: Which Is Best For Your Commercial Flat Roof Construction?

Roof installation is a vital activity in building construction. When installed correctly, the roof provides building occupants with a layer of protection against inclement elements such as rain, snow, ice, direct sunlight, and wind. On the other hand, a bad roofing job will allow the outside elements to wreak havoc on the building, rendering it unsafe and unusable for the intended purpose.

If you are planning roof construction for a commercial building, you should know that commercial buildings generally have longer, uninterrupted clear spans than residential ones. As a result, the roofing materials used for residential buildings may not work for commercial ones.

Commercial building owners generally favor flat roofing systems to minimize roofing loads and keep roofing costs affordable. EPDM and TPO are two popular options that work well for commercial flat roof construction. Continue reading to learn more about each.

EPDM Roofing

Acronym for ethylene propylene diene terpolymer, EPDM is a synthetic rubber-based roofing material that has seen rapid growth in today's commercial roofing market. Homeowners may shun it for aesthetic purposes, but many commercial building owners consider it a godsend. 

EPDM roofing is doubly desirable for commercial projects because it combines high performance and durability with low-cost installation. This lightweight and flexible single-ply flat roofing option can resist rain, snow, ice, wind, UV radiation, and more.

Plus, it's available in black and white, meaning you can choose a roof color that matches your local climate. If your commercial building is in a cold climate zone, you can choose black EPDM because it absorbs heat. If the building is in a hot region, the solar reflectance properties of white EPDM will come in handy.

TPO Roofing

Another popular variation of single-ply rubber roofing is TPO — that is, thermoplastic polyolefin in full. Although it can resist the elements like EPDM, TPO roofing generally weighs less. Due to its lower weight, installation is much easier, quicker, and cheaper. Also, it comes in white and black colors as standard, but some manufacturers offer a range of decorative colors.

On the downside, a TPO roofing system has a laminated top layer (the wear layer) that can create weak points within the system, thus shortening its life expectancy.

When it comes to commercial flat roof construction, there's no such thing as the best roofing option for everyone. Before choosing, you need to carefully examine which one will work best for your needs and requirements. Get in touch with a commercial roofing construction company to discuss your project.