What Is TPO Roofing?
TPO commercial roofing membranes were first specified in Europe, then made significant inroads in the North American market in the late 1990s. There have been many developments in the low-slope (flat) roofing industry, so TPO commands a considerable market share in the U.S. and Canada.
According to the statistics cited in a Single Ply Roofing Industry (SPRI) news release on May 31, 2022, thermoplastic membranes saw a 14% growth in 2021 over the prior year. Roofing Contractor magazine also published an article with the headline “Global TPO Roofing Membrane Market Expected to Hit $2.2 Billion by 2024.”
What Does TPO Roofing Stand For?
TPO is a thermoplastic polyolefin membrane with a polyester reinforcement. Chemistry is essential and must comply with the ASTM D6878 specification, which governs several criteria, including thickness over scrim, breaking strength, ozone resistance, physical properties after heat aging, and weather resistance.
There are also ASTM tests for radiative properties, including solar reflectance and thermal emittance, and reports on the solar reflectance index. LEED® compliance is also essential.
How Does TPO Compare to Other Commercial Roofing Materials?
TPO is a valued commercial product because it has the following benefits:
- TPO meets and exceeds ASTM standards for weathering resistance.
- TPO membranes are exceptionally durable and long-lasting.
- TPO qualifies for many manufacturers’ warranties.
- White TPO’s reflectivity, emissivity, and SRI meet general industry radiative performance standards, such as LEED and California Title 24, Part 6 (Cool Roof).
- TPO demonstrates flexible characteristics for successful installation in a wide variety of conditions.
- No chlorines or halogenated compounds are in the formulation.
- TPO is budget-friendly and has a lower life-cycle cost.
- TPO is inherently puncture-resistant for low maintenance.
- Quality installation can be assured with manufacturer-approved contractors.
- TPO is easy to repair due to its ability to heat-weld rapidly. Heat-welding creates a chemical bond that becomes the strongest part of the membrane.
What Does a TPO Roof Look Like?
There are three main TPO roofing assemblies:
Mechanically Attached TPO Roofing System
- IKO InnoviTPO Membrane.
- IKOTherm CoverShield.
- IKOTherm Insulation.
- IKO MVP Vapor Barrier.
- Approved Roof Deck.
Mechanically attached systems are cost-effective. Because adhesives are not used in the field of the roof, there are fewer application temperature restrictions. They are relatively low-odor compared to adhered systems.
Fully adhered TPO Roofing System
- IKO InnoviTPO Membrane.
- InnoviBond Membrane Adhesive.
- IKOTherm CoverShield.
- IKOTherm Insulation.
- IKO MVP Vapor Retarder.
- Approved Roof Deck.
Fully Adhered systems evenly distribute uplift pressures on the membrane and substrate, resulting in optimal wind uplift code approvals. They also allow the use of the widest sheets, reducing seams.
Induction-Welded TPO Roofing System
- IKO InnoviTPO Membrane.
- IKOTherm CoverShield.
- IKOTherm Insulation.
- IKO MVP Vapor Retarder.
- Approved Roof Deck.
Induction-welded systems are highly efficient and are an excellent choice for large-scale roofing applications, helping to reduce labor costs. They also receive outstanding wind uplift resistance ratings due to the point-loading benefits of this assembly.
What Thicknesses of TPO Are Available?
IKO InnoviTPO is available in 45-mil, 60-mil, and 80-mil thicknesses.
What Widths and Colors Are Manufactured?
IKO InnoviTPO is available in white, tan, and grey in 5-foot, 6-foot, 8-foot, 10-foot, and 12-foot widths.
What Is the IKO Innovi Matrix™ formulation?
Matrix is a breakthrough chemistry that underlies IKO InnoviTPO’s weatherability. The manufacturing process enhances the proprietary formulation as it is processed into a TPO sheet.
