construction-waterproofing Roof Membrane

Membrane Waterproofing Roof Materials

Waterproofing is a protective measure that makes a surface water-resistant and prevents liquids from penetrating undesirable surfaces. Waterproof membrane for construction is one of the most preferred waterproofing materials in the construction industry which is very preferred in roof insulation applications with its ease of use, and price/performance advantage. We are selling two type of the membranes, one is PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) – this membrane consists of two PVC plies that sandwich a polyester reinforcement sheet. The other is TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin) – to produce the TPO membrane, manufacturers will polymerize polypropylene and ethylene-propylene rubber, like PVC, two TPO plies sandwich a polyester reinforcement sheet.When the 90s came, TPO entered the mainstream roofing industry and started to become a popular option, one of the reasons is that it doesn’t contact chlorine as well as plasticizers and halogens which are all harmful to the environment. It is also a good alternative to PVC as they have similar benefits.

PVC vs. TPO – Performance Comparison

Comparison Metric	PVC	TPO	Result
Years in Production as Roofing Material	60+ years with several reformulations	30+ years with multiple reformulations	No Advantage
Membrane Thickness	From .036 to .090	From .045 to .080	No Advantage
Seaming Method	Heat Welded	Heat Welded	No Advantage
Chemical Resistance	Excellent (nonreactive to most chemicals)	Good (may react to oil or grease exhaust)	PVC
Fire Resistance	Excellent	Poor	PVC
Tear Strength (pound force p/ in)	45 lbf	55 lbf	TPO
Break Strength (pound force p/ in)	200 lbf	220 lbf	TPO
Average Cost Installed	Can range from $5 to $12 per square foot depending on membrane thickness	Can range from $7 to $13 per square foot depending on membrane thickness	PVC
Color	To achieve an energy efficient cool roof, `both can go for the color white which effectively reflects the sun’s energy. This also reduces the building’s energy consumption as well as the urban heat island (UHI) effect.

Waterproofing TPO Roof Membrane Application Study

Both TPO and PVC roofing will be applied in most commercial buildings well. However, a few factors have to be kept in mind:

• The climate. TPO roofing membrane works well in most climates; PVC doesn’t hold up as well in colder temperatures. Conversely, PVC tends to hold up better than TPO in hurricane-prone areas.
• The building’s purpose. TPO is fine for most general-purpose buildings (e.g., retail, offices). However, restaurants, chemical plants, and factories using high heat will most likely benefit from PVC’s resistance qualities as opposed to TPO roofing.
• Your budget.TPO is considerably more affordable than PVC, so if you have a limited construction budget and thicker membrane is utilized

TPO Roof Membrane Product Specification