All commercial properties require the finest roofing materials. However, most Corpus Christi TX property owners perceive excellent and top-tier materials as expensive. In agreement, we don't blame them for thinking so -- a brand-new tough PVC roof is a huge investment at $17 per square foot alone.
However, these roofing materials can last for more than seven decades and can store heavy equipment such as HVAC split units on top of the roof. Property owners definitely won't mind having to pay more if the roofing materials have some excellent advantages and if they can prepare by coping with its inherent flaws.
The best way to make an informed decision is to know more about each top-tier commercial roofing materials for your Corpus Christi TX commercial property. Here they all are.
- Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM)
- Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO)
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Each one have their own respective advantages and disadvantages. To begin, let's look at what EPDM roofs have to offer according to Rubbercal.
What is EPDM Material?
The EPDM elastomer is one of the more interesting types of rubber. Chemically known as ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber, it possesses many traits that are characteristic of conventional elastomers, such as tear resistance, a high tensile strength, and a low compression set. Of course, this doesn’t set EPDM products apart from other elastomers like SBR or NBR that also have similar physical properties. The unique property of EPDM is found in its ability to resist degradation resulting from weathering agents like UV rays and ozone. In addition to this, it is also very resistant to polar substances and steam. What is EPDM material and how is it used? The above properties, combined with the other conventional traits, make for the perfect weather resistant rubber.
Industry professionals in roofing, automotive, and other applications use EPDM sheet rubber to produce components that can perform and last through outdoor conditions. It is the tried-and-true elastomer for weathering. However, it begs the question: what makes the EPDM elastomer so resistant to weathering from UV rays and ozone? The answer lies within the rubber’s chemical composition. While rubber had been in use for centuries, it was only in the 20th century that the push for synthetic rubbers began. These man-made elastomers were engineered to possess certain traits, such as NBR’s resistance to oil and grease. In the 1960’s, several chemical companies, like DuPont, Exxon, and Uniroyal, were trying to engineer a weather resistant rubber. The hard work paid off and the result was ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber, commonly known as EPDM. It was not long before it was picked up for use in roofing applications. It was DuPont, in particular, who further refined the material and eventually it had largely replaced asphalt as the roofing material of choice
Before going into the defining trait of EPDM elastomer, it is important to first grasp how exactly it is that UV rays and ozone can damage a material, let alone an elastomer. UV, or ultra-violet radiation, is a light that is invisible to the human eye. It is emitted from the sun as well as other sources like black lights. Ozone is a molecule naturally found as a gas in the Earth’s atmosphere. Upon contact with a material, both UV and ozone attack any vulnerable chemical bonds (i.e., double bonds) in the material’s chemical backbone. This alters the molecular structure of said material. When the material’s chemical backbone is modified or tampered with in any way, degradation will occur. (Read the full post here)
Now that you know more about EPDM, let's take a look at TPO. These commercial roofing materials are known for their white color, excellent insulation, and an affordable yet materially-upgraded versions of EPDM roofs.
TPO roofs came out almost the same time as EPDM roofs a few years later. Manufacturers started using new reinforcement materials to improve EPDM's base durability. Learn more about them from Hunker's post.
What is TPO Roofing?
TPO is a type of membrane roofing suitable for flat and low-slope roofs.
In the building trades, the acronym TPO stands for thermoplastic polyolefin, a material originally developed for pond liners and used extensively for roofing since 1989. It's a single-ply membrane made from a polymerized combination of polypropylene and ethylene-propylene rubber that can be attached to a roof with adhesive or with mechanical fasteners. TPO a low-cost and effective choice for flat and low-slope roofs, and the exposed surface is usually a highly reflective white, which makes TPO especially suitable for hot, sunny climates.
You can install TPO roofing directly over existing roofing material, or you can apply it to a bare roof deck. It compares favorably in expense to similar roofing materials, such as EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) rubber or PVC, and it typically carries a 20-year warranty. If you live in a colder climate, or you're considering it for a low-slope roof which it will be visible from the ground, you don't have to settle for white. TPO roofing also comes in gray and black, although white is the most common color.
TPO roofing comes in 6- to 8-foot sheets that you lay out side-by-side and weld together.
How to Install TPO
Roofers generally use one of two methods to adhere a TPO membrane to a roof. One is to use mechanical fasteners, which are typically screws accompanied by large plastic washers. The other is to use a solvent- or water-based adhesive to secure the membrane to the existing roofing or the roof deck. In certain circumstances, neither method may be practical, in which case, heavy objects, such as river rock are used to hold down the membrane.
A layer of rigid foam insulation often goes on before the TPO membrane.
By itself, TPO roofing doesn't provide much insulation, so many installations include a layer of rigid foam insulation, which is secured to the roof with mechanical fasteners or adhesive. Just before installing the membrane, you typically install a _slipsheet_—a low-friction barrier that allows the roofing to expand and contract freely.
The seams of TPO roofing are closed with a heat gun or with peel-and-stick tape (read the complete guide here).
Lastly, let's get to know about polyvinyl chloride (PVC) roofs. If you're thinking about water pipes when PVC gets mentioned, then you definitely have an idea about their roof variants. In fact, they're made of the same base plastic material. However, with additional reinforcements that improve its lifespan and durability, PVC roofs do not repel water and prevent leaks. It introduces an airtight seal with proper installation and maintenance.
Roof Cost Estimator has an excellent breakdown on what makes a PVC roof exceptional above other commercial roofing materials.
PVC Roofing Cost and Pros & Cons for Flat Roofs 2019
In the single-ply roofing market, PVC roofing membranes offer an impressive set of advantages, unmatched by competitors. Among the most notable benefits are strength, durability, resistance to moisture, wind, fire and chemicals.
Additionally, PVC roofs are consistently chosen by homeowners looking to install an Eco-friendly (green) system over their flat or low slope roof.
COST INSTALLED PER SQ. FT.
Expect to pay in the range of $6.00 to $9.50 per sq. ft. for a mechanically attached residential PVC 50 mil membrane installed over a flat or low-slope roof on a single-story or two-story house.
If the removal of the old roof is required, then your total cost installed could be higher.
STRENGTH
PVC roofs are specifically engineered for strength, ensuring the membrane’s long service life. The American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) requires a roofing membrane to have a minimum breaking strength of 200 pounds per inch.
PVC roofing membranes far surpass this standard, all having a minimum breaking strength of 350 pounds per inch.
DURABILITY — Hot Air Welded Seams
Hot are welded seams are the feature that makes PVC roofing membranes exceptionally strong, durable, and impermeable to moisture. Hot-air welded seams form a permanent, watertight bond that is actually stronger than the membrane itself. — This gives PVC roofs an edge over other roofing systems, which rely on adhesives, tapes, and caulks to seal the seams, and as a result are inherently a lot less durable than PVC.
LONG SERVICE LIFE
Exceptional durability and strength lend themselves to a long service life. A properly installed, high quality PVC roofing membrane can last in excess of 20 years, and will not require much maintenance during its service life. This means that once you invest in a PVC roofing membrane, you will be saving thousands of dollars on costly maintenance and repairs for years to come.
RESISTANCE TO CHEMICALS (read more here)
Now that you're fully informed about all types of commercial roofing materials best for your property, you can now make the best decision for your commercial property roof.
In case you have yet to find a reliable and experienced Corpus Christi TX commercial roofing contractor, you can count on Ropa Roofing to help you with all your commercial roofing projects. We have served countless commercial projects across Corpus Christi for more than 15 years. Contact us today to get started!
Article Source Here: 3 Best and Most Affordable Corpus Christi TX Commercial Roofing Materials
Galvan Builders Construction Company
4938 Williams Drive,
Corpus Christi TX 78411
361-857-4341
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