⬅Return to Roofing Blog
March 7, 2025
March 7, 2025

What is TPO Roofing?

Never again wonder ‘What is a TPO roofing system?’ Here at Parish Roofing Solutions, we offer modern materials for modern homes. Call today and see if TPO is right for you.

Get a free Estimate

Complete this form to get started
User icon
Message icon
Mobile icon
Question icon

Thanks!

We received your request, a team member will reach out to you soon.
Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Remember the unveiling of the personal computer, the internet, or smartphones? How in an instant you could Google ‘funny cat videos’ or make video calls from halfway across the globe with a device smaller than your TV remote. Now that’s innovation. From technology all the way to roofing, modern times offer us modern solutions. 

Thanks to technological advancements, roofs today aren’t the same as they were 30 or 20 years ago—they’re better. It’s not just shingles now, but clay tiles, metal roofing, and even new and sought-after options like TPO roofing. But what exactly is TPO roofing material? TPO roofing is a cost-effective, highly durable, and environmentally friendly roofing system, a true modern option for a classic home. Here at Parish Roofing Solutions, we innovate, providing customers with state-of-the-art solutions to their age-old problems. Give us a call and see for yourself!

Quality Roofing Materials 

What do you notice first when visiting someone's house? Is it the door, maybe the shutters, or is it the freshly mowed lawn? No—it’s the roof. Times are changing, and so are roofing materials. With a vested interest in energy efficiency and environmental impact, it’s safe to say today's shingles are not your parents' shingles—they’re better. 

Today’s shingles offer a limitless amount of curb appeal, with different colors allowing you to refine your home to your taste. Wave away that boring brown or grey and welcome in a taupe, moss green, or even a harbor-blue if you’re feeling bold. The buck doesn’t stop there, with so many varying materials, you can choose a metal or clay-tile roof. The possibilities are truly endless. Whatever you choose, Parish Roofing Solutions will provide you with top-quality roofing materials and a hassle-free installation! 

Asphalt Shingles

For over 100 years, asphalt shingles have been the number one choice for Americans. It’s not difficult to see why, with a variety of colors, a 20-30-year warranty, and an affordable price of $1.50 to $4.50 per square foot, it’s no wonder they've been around for as long as they have. 

Metal Roofing

Metal roofing is another highly popular option amongst homeowners. Although slightly more expensive, coming in at $8 to $16 per square foot, metal roofing does provide added resistance to both snow and wildfires. Metal roofing tends to last 30 to 50 years.

Clay Tiles

Clay tiles are a sought-after option for Texans, as they help keep your home nice and cool, especially during extreme heat waves. Coming in at as little as $10 to $18 per square foot, and as much as $30 per square foot, clay tiles provide your home with a beautiful roof, adding to your home’s curb appeal. They are also the sturdiest of options, lasting for as long as 100 years. 

What is a TPO Roofing System? 

What is TPO roofing made of? TPO roofing stands for Thermoplastic Polyolefin, which is a roofing material made of polypropylene, ethylene-propylene rubber, and is bolstered up with a polyester scrim. If you’ve ever seen a storefront with a flat white roof, you were staring at TPO, you just didn’t know it then. Recently, TPO roofing has become a highly popular option for businesses and homeowners alike for its natural ability to reflect the sun’s UV rays, its cost-effective pricing, and its quick and easy application. Read on to learn more about all the benefits TPO roofing has to offer!

What is TPO Roofing? Strong and Sturdy

A good roof is extremely important. It’s arguably the most important aspect of any building. Yes, you need a solid foundation to build on, but without a good roof, you’ve basically got a bucket. Just think about it, a roof serves as the last line of defense against the elements. It keeps you cool for the summer, warm in the winter, and dry during the rainy season. 

TPO roofing, like any good roofing material, is strong and sturdy, safeguarding your business or home from Mother Nature’s unpredictability. It is assembled to withstand any punctures and tears, as well as prevent any nasty mold growth from ever occurring. 

The best part is that when compared to other traditional rubber roofs, TPO has actually been found to be the strongest. This is because TPO roofs are hot air welded at the seams, making them three times stronger than roofs that are held together using tape systems, and six times stronger than rubber roofs held together at the seams by glue.

Energy Efficient 

With the rising cost of living, from eggs to toilet paper, why not save yourself a little money with an energy-efficient roof? Because thermoplastic polyolefin’s primary color is white, it allows for your roof to reflect a significant amount of the sun’s UV rays as opposed to absorbing them. The reflective surface of a TPO roof minimizes heat absorption, helping maintain a building nice and cool during warmer months of the year. This reduces cooling costs by cutting out over-reliance on cooling systems such as whole-building AC units. According to the Department of Energy, other benefits include: 

  • Reduce the cost of energy bills by reducing reliance on air conditioning units.
  • Boosts performance in undersized or inefficient air conditioning units by helping buildings stay cooler.
  • Allows you to downsize to a smaller AC unit. 

Cost-Effective 

TPO roofing is considered the cheapest of all the rubber roofing options out there. A TPO roof also tends to cost you less in the long run, as it is the sturdiest of the three. This means it will last longer, saving you money on maintenance and repairs. If that wasn’t enough, because of its reflective properties, with all the money you’ll save on energy costs, your TPO roof will practically pay for itself.  

TPO Roofing Installation

Installing a TPO roof is no easy task. You could go ahead and DIY it, at the risk of improperly installing your new roof, costing you way more money than if you’d gone ahead and called a professional in the first place. Improper installation can lead to leaks, mold growth, and even foundational problems. Basically, a whole lot of stuff you don’t want to deal with. So go ahead and give us a call—we’ll provide you with a solution to all your roofing problems. 

Roof Prepping

The first step in our roof installation is prepping the roof. We begin by removing any existing debris in order to establish a clean and smooth roof deck for a hassle-free installation. 

Installing an Underlayment

After the roof deck has been prepped, the next step is to install an underlayment layer. Roofing underlayment is a layer of material that sits between the roof deck and your TPO membrane, and it is typically a sheet of plywood or OSB. This is done to add an extra layer of protection against moisture from rain, snow, or humidity. 

Apply a Layer of Insulation

Insulating your roof is one of the most important steps when installing a TPO roof. It is crucial in regulating the temperature of a building. What we’ll do is place a layer of pink foam boards on top of the underlayment layer. This helps prevent heat from coming in or escaping.

Measuring and Cutting the TPO Membrane

To ensure proper overlapping at the seams for a fortified roof, we first measure the length and width in order to find the correct area of your roof. We then are careful in cutting the TPO membrane down to the last inch to ensure a perfect fit. 

Positioning and Installation 

Once we’ve got the required amount of TPO material, we are careful to roll it out onto the roof deck, ensuring that it is properly aligned with your roof.

Seam Welding

Once laid out, it’s time for the reinforcements: seam welding. The key aspect that makes TPO roofs so much stronger than other rubber alternatives is the fact that it’s welded at the seams, as opposed to the seams simply being taped or glued. To weld the seams, we use a hot air-welding tool in order to melt the overlapping edges of the TPO material. The result: a strong and watertight seal. 

Battle of the Roofs

Everyone always wants to know ‘Oh what is the difference between TPO and PVC roofing’ or ‘What’s the difference between EPDM and TPO roofing.’ We won’t hold in your suspense, we’ll just tell you. From pricing, to the durability of each type of roof, there are a lot of key aspects that vary in each of these rubber materials. Read on to learn more about what separates each one and make the best choice for your needs. 

TPO, PVC, and EPDM

TPO PVC EPDM
Cost $5-$8 per square foot of material and installation. $7-$12 per square foot of material and installation. $10-$20 per square foot of material and installation.
Longevity TPO roofing has an average lifespan of 20 years and can last longer with proper maintenance and servicing. With the right maintenance PVC roofs have been known to last up to 30 years, and sometimes even longer. EPDM roofing is generally very long-lasting, offering an average lifespan of 25-30 years.
Maintenance TPO is fairly easy to maintain because of its resistance to both dirt and mold growth. You should be able to keep your TPO roof in tip-top shape with a little soap and water. PVC roofs tend to need a little extra tender love and care, especially at the seams, as they are known to shrink over time. Additionally, due to their chemical resistance, you may need more specialized cleaning. Thanks to its longevity EPDM roofing usually requires very little maintenance, but should still be checked for potential punctures or damage to the seams.
Durability TPO roofs are great at withstanding harsh UV rays and high heat. They also provide great flexibility, allowing them to deal with fluctuations in temperature better than PVC roofs. PVC is known for its ability to resist chemicals, grease, and environmental factors. This makes PVC a great option for buildings that are often exposed to hard chemicals, such as restaurants. EPDM is considered to be highly durable and offer excellent resistance against extreme weather, high winds, and harsh winter temperatures. Despite its durability, it is not as puncture resistant as TPO.c
Energy Efficiency TPO roofs are considered to be the most energy-efficient of the rubber roofs and in fact have the highest solar-resistance-inder (SRI). PVC roofs are also highly energy efficient, but they are mainly known for their durability rather than energy efficiency. EPDM typically comes in a black color, providing owners with great heat absorption properties. This helps regulate building temperature during colder months, helping to heat the building. This means that EPDM roofs don’t usually offer the same energy efficiency that TPO and PVC do.

Choose a Quality Roof! 

There are no two ways about it, your roof is the most important part of your home—so make sure to choose a quality roof. From the moment we pick up the phone, to when we show up at your door, rest assured your home is in safe hands. Parish Roofing Solutions has assembled a team of roofing experts equipped with the knowledge and expertise needed to carry out any job. So give us a call, and we’ll find a solution to all your problems!

Recent posts

read now
read now
read now

Services we Offer to North Texas

When you need your roof repaired, Parish Roofing Solutions is the company to call! That’s because we know that roof repair is more than just construction – it’s about protecting your home and family from the harsh power of the elements. And according to our amazing clients, we’re the best roofing company around.

Repair

Just because there is a problem with your roof, it does not mean that it needs to be replaced.

Right arrow

Replace

Our roof replacement services include a total roofing system replacement.

Right arrow

storm Damage

We handle all manner of hail damage, and inclement weather restoration.

Commercial

Our commercial roofers are experienced with both industrial and retail roof repair solutions.

Our North Texas roofing service Areas

Parish Roofing Solutions provides the highest-quality roofing to North Texas families and businesses, protecting their most precious investment in a sustainable, permanent way.

Click to Close This Offer
Give us a call (214) 227-8488
User icon
Message icon
Mobile icon
Question icon

Thanks!

We received your request, a team member will reach out to you soon.
Something went wrong while submitting the form.