Remodelers have got to try a TPO roof
We had an architect specify a TPO roof on half of a 50′ trellis to keep rain off a sidewalk and it was an eye opener for us first timers. Easy stuff to work with for simple shapes.
We picked up a slightly damaged 100′ roll for $270 (about 1/3rd normal price) that the shipping company had already paid the roofiing supply house for and let them keep the damaged roll.
As much was spent on a tape kit which is how someone with no interest in learning how to heat seal this stuff joins two pieces together. The tape is a peal and stick much like ice and water sheild, but is applied over a primer that reminds me of contact cement. Roll the tape with a laminate roller and you’re done. The tape will also join roofing to metal flashing.
The stuff can be installed with the special washers and screws or simply nailed down along the edges with roofinig nails. Manufacturers have various tear sheets covering allowable methods.
This stuff is perfect for oddball areas especially on low sloped roofs and now that we’ve seen how simple it is won’t hesitate to incorporate more TPO details in oddball remodels.
If anyone has been wondering about this stuff simply find a roofing supplier and talk to a salesman with installation experience and he can walk you through the steps, print out construction details and give you a hands on explanation of the various components.
Having said this, there is a place for a roofing guy who really knows the ins and outs of more complicated installs, but for simple areas with few seams it’s no harder than anything else we do.
I’m now a fan and will also be using the stuff on decks to protect existing finished areas when putting second story additions on and other hard to seal areas during construction.
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn’t rule the world.
Replies
TPO stands for?
http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=tpo+roofing&rls=com.microsoft:*:IE-SearchBox&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7TSHB&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=CYUVS8LvFI-WtgetvZj-BA&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CCoQqwQwAw
http://www.roofhelp.com/choices/tpo/
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Thanks - thought I was the only one who didn't know!
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Thermoplastic Olefincopper p0rn
It's a Hollywood acronym born on Dancing With The Stars:Technical Poop-OutAitchKay
thermoplastic polyolefin
Google it if you care to know more.
I suppose similar to e.g. hypalon or pvc(??) or EPDM monolithic roofing products. I'm not a flat roofing expert, but have been aware of these products over the years. I'm an energy guy, so I only know about these in relation to how they relate to energy related materials (e.g. roof insulation).
Thanks! You & several others enlightened me - I'm just a DIY, more clueless than many, but I love that BTers always clue me in!
who's clueless?? ;) Now you aren't
See how you like it when you start getting some tape failures.
If you're gonna use TPO, invest in a heat welder and learn how to use it. It's good stuff, but it comes in narrower widths than EPDM, resulting in more seams.
copper p0rn
Had an architect spec it for a flat roof with curves and a curb. Roofer wasn't happy with it's bending abilities. Also had walking pads for a master bedroom deckThe other problem we have here with TPO is it's main use seems to be commercial. The commercial roofers wouldn't touch this residential job and the smaller roofers who did flat roofs weren't use to using TPOhe thought PVC would have been a better choice?
Edited 12/1/2009 4:30 pm by BarryE
Roofer wasn't happy with it's bending abilities.
It's not as flexible as EPDM, but the ability to heat weld it makes it as versatile, if not more so. Just takes a little more finese.
he thought PVC would have been a better choice?
All of the PVC products I'm familiar with are proprietary products only available thru franchised dealers. And as someone else here phrased it: "They're mighty proud of their product". So I have never done PVC and haven't seen much of it around here. Just found some today that had been overlaid with EPDM. The little I've seen of PVC, it seems to be as stiff as TPO.copper p0rn
I had to look it up too:
TPO: Thermoplastic Olefin or Polyolefin
TPO membranes are single-ply roof membranes constructed from ethylene propylene rubber. They are designed to combine the durability of rubber with the proven performance of hot-air weldable seams. They have been tested as having excellent resistance to ozone, are algae-resistant, environmentally friendly and safe to install. The material's manufacturers are so confident in properly welded seams that the material is sometimes advertised as a monolithic (seamless) roof. Seam strengths are reportedly 3 to 4 times those of EPDM's adhesive and tape seams.
TPO is highly resistant to tears, impacts, and punctures with good flexibility to allow for building movement. TPO's are available in white, light gray, and black with thicknesses of either 45 mils (.045") or 60 mils (.060"). The width of the membrane depends on the manufacturer but they usually come in widths of six to six-and-a-half feet and are one-hundred feet in length.
TPO membranes are installed fully-adhered, mechanically-attached or ballasted. Fully-adhered means that the roof is "glued" to the substrate using a special adhesive. What actually happens is the glue creates a chemical bond with the membrane. Ballasted simply means the membrane is loose laid over the top of the roof, sealed at all penetrations and around the perimeter, and then a ballast is put on it to hold it in place. Ballast usually consists of smooth, round, river rock 2" - 3" in diameter and is applied at a rate of 1,000 to 1,200 pounds per roof square (100 sq. ft.). Sometimes concrete pavers are used in their place. These average 20 pounds per square foot. Mechanically-attached membranes are those that use some type of special screw-type fastener to secure it. The type of fastener will depend on the type of substrate but all fasteners are generally screw-type fasteners.
Tu stultus es
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
Look, just send me to my drawer. This whole talking-to-you thing is like double punishment.
Interesting.... How about a situation where you have to deal with a lot of penetrations, such as mounting solar panels? Any advantages or disadvantages?
-- J.S.
I had to rip some of that (it was leaking) up to lay plates for a new roof we were adding, holy smokes that is tough stuff!!! It was easier to cut the stuff than mess with the seams. First time I had seen it, it is cool to learn more about it.