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Knowing the Elements of TPO Roofing in Atlanta

Mark Robert

By Mark RobertPublished 5 years ago 2 min read

TPO roofing is a thin, light, and reflective roof that is gaining popularity in Atlanta and other well-developed states. TPO, thermoplastic polyolefin, roofing is more economical than its two main competitors- EPDM and PVC roofing.

Every kind of roofing material has its own advantages and disadvantages, TPO has also its various benefits. To have drawbacks is casual as well. When planning to buy roofing material through online shopping always remember to consider both well enough.

And if you still like to shop by making a visit to the shop, you can always go to TPO roofing companies in Atlanta. One of the main benefits of shopping from the local market is that you may get a fair price deal!

Everyone agrees that the roof is necessary for a good and well-structured home. What makes TPO roof a great choice? And what are the elements behind its making, today we are going to discuss all of that? Letus begin.

We will go through every element one by one and all of this information will help you in making a final decision with ease. Through this, you can come to the conclusion as to whether the TPO roof will be a good choice for you or not.

Membrane

As we have already mentioned that TPO stands for Thermoplastic Polyolefin. Thermoplastic means that the material becomes plastic and hardens after cooling down completely and this is how exactly it seals at the seams. A hot air welder is used to heat the membrane both below and above which turns it to plastic and makes it moldable. While it is still plastic, a roller is then used to fuse the top and bottom membrane together, forming the watertight seam, usually, workers working in TPO roofing companies in Georgia do this activity by their hands.

TPO is typically sold in a thickness of 45 mils, 60 mil,s and 90 mils. In Indiana, we typically see 45 mils and 60 mils specifically. It is considered that the thicker the membrane the better its durability. For example- if a TPO roofing company owner in Atlanta expects workers to service rooftop mechanical units regularly, a thicker roof should be expected.

Membrane Attachment

There are two primary options for attaching the thermoplastic polyolefin membrane:

  • Mechanically attached,
  • Fully adhered.

Mechanically attached: This type of membrane is attached through the insulation boards down to the structural deck at 12" on center in every seam. The seam in this case is then welded outside of these fasteners.

This kind is a less expensive installation option and the main advantage of this is the price. Another main advantage is its ability to install in low temperatures since there are no adhesives, however, the membrane needs to be kept warm prior to installation.

Fully adhered: These are bonded to the substrate using a contact adhesive applied to both the membrane and the substrate. The substrate under either is a cover board or the top layer of insulation.

A fully adhered membrane is considered an air barrier, which is needed on the roof. It provides uniform loading structure during uplift, which is typically assumed by the structural engineer so there is no increased load on the structure.

Cover Board

A cover board is typically a ¼ inches gypsum board that is installed directly under the membrane. The cover boards provide a much more solid backing than the insulation boards alone, which improves puncture resistance and long-term durability of the roof.

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About the Creator

Mark Robert

Experienced roofing specialist at buysellroofingsupply at Norcross Georgia.

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