In places such as Phoenix, we experience longer hot days throughout the year, thus, it would be tough living without AC. It’s a desert-like environment with minimal rains and short cold seasons which we have to bear. However, you’ll surely enjoy the scenery which drives you to get a house and live here.
Individuals who are fond of living in cold countries might wonder how these people survive in such hot climates. Anyway, since this is a big city, a lot of commercial buildings also exist and they must care about their roofing systems – read more to find roofers. The same concern goes for homeowners.
Again, because of the hot weather in Arizona, commercial building owners must make sure that the right temperature is obtained indoors. They shouldn’t only rely on various cooling systems because of the carbon footprints produced. To control temperature and manage energy, a TPO membrane type of roofing must be installed.
What’s a TPO membrane roofing?
Thermoplastic Polyolefin is a type of material used both in residential and commercial buildings. It’s a single-ply membrane that’s designed with three layers – compounded top ply, polyester-reinforced scrim, and polymer base. It was developed and introduced in the 1990s as an alternative to other materials, such as PVC and rubber.
Most business owners in Phoenix recommend this to cover their buildings with a flat roof. That’s because these are prepared in rolled sheets, thus, it’s easy to ship and install. Another thing that makes it highly recommended is its surface which reflects UV rays naturally, instead of getting absorbed.
This means that it’s capable of getting the space under this roof cooler. I guess that makes it an ideal type of roofing material in Arizona. Thus, make sure to find local roofers when you planning to replace and install them at home or commercial building.
Why do you need this?
When the steepness of your roof, as well as, facets measures 2:12, it means the slope is low. With this kind of setting, water would be running off slowly since the pitch is quite high. It has to be waterproof and asphalt shingles won’t solve such issues.
Now, if you’re going to check out the building codes, you’ll find that with a pitch lower than 2:12, asphalt shingles can’t be used – click https://phoenix.municipal.codes/CC/39-6 for more info. This is why TPO membrane roofing should be installed. Try asking expert roofers about this during your consultation to learn more.
How long does it last?
All roofing systems require maintenance to prolong their life expectancy. No matter how durable the material is when not maintained regularly, it will wear and tear faster. I suppose you won’t like to invest in this knowing that it won’t last long.
For TPOs, it can reach a maximum of 25 years when properly installed and maintained. However, this is only an estimated maximum life span. The duration will still depend on the building or homeowner’s hands.
Other factors affect the life expectancy of TPO membrane material. We have the weather and how much sunlight it gets directly. Installation is a big factor, too, that’s why expert roofers must work on this to guarantee high-quality output.
Benefits and Advantages
- They’re easy to install and that’s because they come in sheets. This makes the process simple so the work isn’t that intense.
- Durable but affordable materials in the roofing industry. The cost isn’t the only one that favors clients. It also requires low maintenance for the next 20-25 years.
- It resists dirt, grime, mold spores, etc.
- Can withstand extensive heat. Fire-retardant chemicals are added in the manufacturing process. These make it fire-resistant so it received a Class-A rating – go here for more details on fire-risk types.
- Flexible and easy to adjust.
- Energy-efficient and UV-resistant, thus, you can save money on energy bills. Therefore, making it a good option for insulation.
- Eco-friendly so you can recycle it to reduce the emission of carbon.
- Finding signs of leaks and repairing them is easy because they’re heat-welded.
- It’s white which makes it highly reflective and retentive as well.
Insulation Types Used
The roofers need to prepare the substrate, thus, it has to be cleaned so the old roof will be removed. When this is ready, they’re going to install the insulation. There are a few types to choose from:
- Polysio or Polyisocyanurate received a high R-value rating so it’s expensive, though can be used in different applications.
- EPS or Expanded Polystyrene is designed with the highest R-value. This can be used for the walls and floors as well. it’s an ideal ground contact since water doesn’t retain for a long time
- XPS or Extruded Polystyrene is semipermeable with 1 perm rating. It’s designed with colors, such as green, pink, or blue. When it comes to performance, its rating is between EPS and polysio.
Costs
The cost varies because the area that it covers varies from one building to another. There are a few things that influence the cost of your installation project. This includes:
- Roof size.
- Current roof status and access.
- Insulation type.
- Installation process.
- Membrane materials.
To find out how much funds you need to prepare, ask for an estimate. You can obtain this from trustworthy roofers in Arizona.
How can you save money with TPO roofing?
Let me remind you that TPOs are called white roofs. The material is designed with extremely reflective components. It’s capable of reflecting ultraviolet rays and heat as well.
Because of this, your power consumption is reduced. That’s because the material helps in cooling down the building.
Dark roofs absorb UV rays, thus, heat remains on the surface. This makes the building warmer, especially during the summer. Therefore, it’s not an ideal type to install in Arizona.
Repairing TPOs
Let’s say that after 20 years, the roof started to show signs of wear and tear. Therefore, you’ll see seams ripping apart, failing flashings, punctured membranes, etc. and these will lead to leaking. Of course, you have to consult a roofer for inspections.
You should know that when the roof starts to leak, a repair is necessary. This doesn’t mean that you have to replace the entire roofing system right away. We can assume that the water passed through because it lacks adhesives, except if there’s visible damage on the shingles or seams.
Keep in mind that the water can’t penetrate inside the building easily. It has to break the insulation and pass through the decks first. This is why experts are required to make thorough inspections before coming up with solutions.
What happens during the inspection?
Once you call a roofer because of your issues, he needs to visit your place for assessment. Their expertise in this area could be wide, but it’s still better to see the condition personally. In this way, they can conduct a proper investigation and suggest the right solution.
When they come, you have to provide various information, such as the life span of your roof and observations. It’s better if you have an idea about your insulation type, the number of TPO layers, and your seam’s condition.
The inspection begins and all issues found will be explained. From there, they’ll recommend a solution so hire a contractor when you’re ready.
