PVC, TPO, and EPDM are three of the most widely used commercial roofing membranes, but the best system depends on the building, existing roof assembly, drainage, rooftop equipment, budget, and expected service life.
PVC roofing uses thermoplastic membrane with heat-welded seams. PVC is commonly used on commercial and industrial flat roofs and is particularly useful on roofs containing numerous penetrations and complex details.
TPO roofing is another heat-welded thermoplastic membrane. It is widely installed on commercial buildings and is available in reflective colors that can reduce solar heat absorption.
EPDM roofing is a synthetic rubber membrane with a long history in commercial roofing. Traditional EPDM systems typically rely on adhesives and seam tapes rather than heat-welded seams.
There is no single roofing membrane that is automatically best for every commercial building.
A professional commercial roof evaluation should consider the existing roof, insulation, roof deck, drainage, penetrations, mechanical equipment, building use, wind exposure, and long-term ownership plans.
Sentinel Industrial Roofing specializes in evaluating commercial and industrial roofs and designing roofing solutions appropriate for the actual building rather than simply recommending one system for every project.