Flat Roof
Flat Roof Systems
TPO
Thermoplastic polyolefin or Thermal Polymer Olefin(TPO) is comprised of materials combined in a thermal reactor at a molecular level; lightweight, highly resistant to tears, impact, punctures and wind uplift. Once combined, the molecules fuse together and material cannot be separated, as opposed to other materials that are ground up and melted together. TPO is one of the lightest, most recyclable materials on the market. With a built-in, ultraviolet protection membrane which reflects sunlight, TPO cools building interiors which translates to energy savings. It is also one of the most weather-resistant materials on the market. Because TPO is a polymer, it is a great insulator that also protects buildings from the elements, since it does not conduct sound, electricity, or heat – keeping buildings cooler in the summer. 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.
PVC
Polyvinyl Chloride (commonly abbreviated PVC) stands for polyvinyl chloride, meaning it is comprised 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. First appearing on roofs in Europe in the 1960s, PVC has the longest track record in roofing membranes of all thermoplastics and has since been widely tested and perfected. The PVC roofing system membrane has many options and roofing types.
Manufacturers have produced a large array of colors, including white, which is heat reflective. PVC can be attached and adhered in several different ways. These options make PVC roofs completely customizable and aesthetically pleasing. 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 roofs throughout the United States have been installed over 20 years and are still performing very well.
Modified Bitumen
This roof system is designed for buildings with low-slope or flat roof structures. Engineered modified bitumen roofing membranes originated in Europe in the mid 1960’s and have been used successfully in the United States and Canada since approximately 1975.
Modified Bitumen roofs give designers and installers an even broader array of options than BUR. MB may be installed by the torch-down application or hot-mopped. The latest innovation is the self-adhering sheet. Using special combinations of polymers to modify the underside.