Single Ply Roofing

Single Ply Roofing | Commercial Roof Projects

Single ply roofing, as its name suggests, is a roofing system consisting of one layer of material. There are many types of single ply roofing products, most of which are abbreviated using their principal chemical compound. For example, one popular membrane material is PVC, a flexible version of polyvinyl-chloride. Another rubber-like membrane is EPDM, ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer.

Stone Roofing installs many different single ply roofing systems including TPO, PVC, TPA, PIB, EPDM, and Hypalon. When selecting a single ply system, it is imperative that the choice is tailored to the specific project. Consult with your project manager for recommendations based on your project parameters.

TPO ROOFING

TPO is the brand name for thermoplastic polyolefin or Thermal Polymer Olefin. TPO is composed of materials combined in a thermal reactor at a molecular level; once combined, the molecules fuse together and cannot be separated, as opposed to other materials that are ground up and melted together.

TPO roofing is one of the lightest, most recyclable materials on the market. With a built-in, Ultra Violet protection, it is also one of the most weather-resistant materials on the market. Because it is a polymer, it is a great insulator that also protects buildings from the elements, as it does not conduct sound, electricity, or heat as much as most materials.

TPO single ply roofing systems keep buildings cooler in the summer due to their thermal conductivity and reflective properties. This makes TPO an ideal product for facilities that handle food products, such as grocery stores. Due to the nature of this material, it stands up to even the most extreme weather conditions without expanding or contracting, which is why the automotive industry uses it in fenders, bumpers, doors, and other body moldings. TPO is also very impact resistant and resilient, making it a prime choice when considering roofing systems that will stand up to hail conditions and harsh storms. TPO is one of the most popular choices for commercial single ply roofing systems available today.

PVC ROOFING

PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride, meaning it is composed of carbon, hydrogen, and chlorine (from salt) on a molecular level. When heated sufficiently, thermoplastics temporarily shift from a solid to a semi-solid state enabling the sheets or panels that are overlapped to fuse together as a solid upon cooling. This process yields one continuous membrane rather than several compressed particles. This process referred to as heat-welded seam technology, is one of the most beneficial features of PVC.

First appearing on roofs in Europe in the 1960s, PVC single ply roofing systems have the longest track record in roofing membranes of all thermoplastics. Since it has been widely tested and perfected, there are many options with this type of roofing membrane.

Manufacturers have the ability to produce a large array of colors, including white, which is heat reflective. PVC roofing can be attached and adhered in several different ways. These options make PVC roofs completely customizable and aesthetically pleasing. With the low-temperature flexibility and high-temperature tolerance points of the membrane, PVC is very flame resistant, impact-resistant, and resilient. Because of the resilience and performance of PVC, many PVC single ply roofing systems throughout the United States that were installed 20 years ago are still performing well to-date.

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