Single-ply roofing products, sometimes referred to as membrane roofing, are quickly becoming the material of choice for commercial Canton roofing. As your leading expert in commercial roofing, here’s a brief overview of popular membrane roofing materials:
Thermoplastics
Thermoplastics are becoming popular with commercial properties because of the ease of installation. They can be heated, reshaped, and refastened multiple times, which is why the primary method of installation is through heat welding. This results in a virtually seamless roof.
Thermoplastics are typically available in white or other light colors, which is ideal if the building owner wants to make the most of its cool roofing properties. There are currently two major thermoplastic membrane types available:
- Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) systems date back in the early 1960s in Europe. Finished PVC roofing in Canton can contain several types of reinforcement, including polyester, fiberglass, and vinyl resin. This comes with a formulation that includes plasticizers to prevent shattering when exposed to cold weather.
- Thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) has become the most widely used roofing material in the last 10 years. Made from polypropylene and ethylene-propylene (EP) rubber polymerized, this allows TPO to become flexible, even at low temperatures, without the use of plasticizers. TPO also does not contain chlorine -based ingredients during production.
Synthetic Rubber
EPDM and synthetic rubber roofing are virtually the same. Unlike TPO, EPDM is thermoset, which means manufacturers cannot melt or reshape it once it has cured. Roofers need adhesive to close the seams, either by using field-applied contact cement or factory-applied adhesive tape. The latter has become the favored method of installation by nearly many a Canton roofing contractor because it’s easier to work with. It is also less likely to incur installation errors.
EPDM can come in 10-foot-wide rolls, which creates less seams during installation. This is why EPDM is favored for use on buildings with very large roofs. EPDM can also stretch and relax when exposed to heat, easily accommodating expansion and contraction on large roofs. If you wish to make the most of cool roofing benefits similar to TPO, there are white acrylic coatings available.
To learn more information on commercial roofing, call Tittle Brothers Construction today. We are the leading source of commercial and residential roofing in the area. You can reach us at (877) 228-5658 or fill out our contact form for a free in-home estimate.