Advantages of TPO Single Ply Roofing Systems
TPO, thermoplastic Polyolefin is one of the fastest-growing single-ply commercial roofing systems on the market and makes up roughly 40% of the commercial roofing market share according to the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA). A TPO is a relatively lower cost, higher-performing membrane which is made from a single layer of synthetics that is reinforced by a scrim layer and is popular on low slope/ flat commercial roofs. The membrane comes in a variety of widths ranging from 10, 12 and 20 feet wide and ranges in thickness of 45 mil tpo, 60 mil tpo, and 75 mil tpo.
The effectiveness of a TPO membrane is dependent on the quality of installation from your TPO roofing contractor.
Densdeck or protection board will provide the extra protection required between the wood substrates and any loose fasteners or nails back out that do occur during the life of the roofing system. This condition occurs often on wood decks.
We ensure minimal impact on the tenants and surrounding community with regard to zero smoke and odor. Without the use of hot asphalt kettles and tankers that emit a great deal of smoke and odor.
Our proven TPO system has zero kettles or tankers. The majority of our equipment is located on the roof during reroofing, the only exception is the dumpster or lift needed to move supplies on and off the roof.
Our TPO membranes do not exclude ponding water from the warranty and are not affected by such conditions. BUR (built up hot asphalt roofing) excludes ponding, breaks down and can support vegetation including moss and fungus.
Our TPO membranes do not require the ongoing resealing of penetrations, walls and curb base flashings associated with BUR’s. The annual cleaning is required of both.
Our TPO membranes turn up and over the top of the exterior walls to complete a watertight long-term seal prior to the installation of the sheet metal cap.
Note: The membrane warranty does carry to the outside of the wall where the membrane stops.
BUR systems rely on sheet metal flashing alone and stop just above the deck line typically 8”-12”.
Our TPO membranes have a solid white or grey surface with one of the highest reflectivity ratings in the industry reducing solar heat gain and reducing cooling costs.
Our TPO is ENERGY STAR rated and meets the higherTPO membranes are mold resistant, impact resistant, wind resistant, fire and traffic resistant.
Clad Metal (factory membrane laminated sheet metal) provides long term watertight details at critical locations such as pitch pans, gutter drip edges and gravel stop flashings and through wall scuppers. Please note: these items then become warranted and integrated as part of the entire system.
Toxic Leachate Test: Carlisle’s Sure-Weld TPO Roofing System has been tested, and passed the United States Environmental Protection Agency testing procedure titled Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) as defined under 40 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) Part 136 for EPA method 1311. This is stated in the Carlisle 2007 Sure-Weld TPO Code Approval Guide on page 32. This test is intended to protect below-grade water aquifers (drinking water) from rooftop water contamination. Ground water contamination occurs when water traveling over the roofing membrane picks up oil residues and/or other contaminants inherent to certain types of roofing systems, and are then carried into the drainage systems and ultimately into below-grade aquifers. The Sure-Weld TPO membrane is one of the few membranes on the market today that passes this test.
ENERGY STAR: Sure-Weld White TPO Membranes exceed the requirements for the United States Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star Program for reflective roofing materials.
Manufacturing of Membrane: The process of calendering or extrusion alone does not determine product quality. Carlisle has used calendering and extrusion for decades in the manufacturing of EPDM. Reinforced TPO production however, utilizes a state-of-the-art (SOTA) twin-screw extrusion technology. Carlisle’s Senatobia, Mississippi and Tooele, Utah production facilities have four SOTA extruder lines with capability up to 12-foot widths.
Each line has two extruders, one for the top ply and one for the bottom ply. The top and bottom ply sheet encapsulate (cover) the polyester fabric in the “melt state” for superior strike through and fabric yarn coverage. This produces a tightly compacted high quality membrane product, which is clearly visible under the microscope.
Membrane Sheet Widths: Carlisle manufactures the TPO membrane in various widths of 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 feet. The different widths are used in various wind zones in accordance with building height and deck type. This allows for the roofing system to be “customized” meeting specific requirements for any given project. The design criteria for those various building conditions are outlined in the Carlisle published specifications.
Accelerated Weather Testing: Laboratory aging and weathering tests are designed to accelerate the effects of normal real-time weathering without causing changes to a membrane that would not occur during outdoor weathering. These tests include heat aging, ozone exposure, water immersion, and artificial ultraviolet (UV) weathering. Performance properties are determined before and after the aging / weathering exposure. If all of the performance properties remain at the original level (or even improve), then it is highly probable that the membrane will perform as designed. The equipment of choice for accelerating “weathering” (combined effects of heat, water spray, humidity, ozone and UV and IR radiation) is the xenon-arc weatherometer. The xenon-arc is specified in ASTM material standards for EPDM (D 4637), PVC (D4434), and TPO (G155) roofing membranes. After exposure to accelerated weather testing, the membrane specimens are removed and inspected immediately for cracks and crazing under 10X magnification while wrapped around a 3 in. (7.6 cm) diameter mandrel. Specimens are removed and inspected after each 630 kJ/m2 period of exposure. Carlisle’s minimum requirement is NC (no cracks) after 17,640 kJ/m2 at 340 nm total radiant exposure. Sure-Weld TPO xenon-arc testing normally is performed until 20,160 kJ/m2 at which point no cracks are observed. Real time outdoor weathering on Sure-Weld is performed at Atlas Weathering Service’s site north of Phoenix, AZ and west of Miami, FL.
Fire Retardant Technologies: Currently, Sure-Weld Standard, GSD, and GS membrane products use the non-halogenated flame retardant technology with NO chlorine or bromine. These non-hal membranes provide excellent weathering resistance and are environmentally friendly. Carlisle is one of few membrane manufacturers that can achieve U.L. Class A Fire Ratings on unlimited slopes, such as can be found on steep barrel roofs.
Sure-Weld TPO Reinforced Membrane Product Data Sheet PDS
https://www.carlislesyntec.com/Document-Viewer?documentId=72501fd4-34ff-01c3-3448-4b4915a883e1
Sure-Weld TPO SAT Reinforced Membrane System Sheet
https://www.carlislesyntec.com/Document-Viewer?documentId=a195aced-25b6-c664-1412-d1944122013b
Sure-Weld TPO SAT Reinforced Membrane Product Data Sheet
https://www.carlislesyntec.com/Document-Viewer?documentId=79a1dc73-4584-fa95-cebd-5d98c6183ead
Carlisle Re-Roofing Defined Videos
Our TPO Systems use the required Application methods
