Which Roofing System Is the Best Out of EPDM, TPO or PVC?

Shopping for a new roof isn’t very simple anymore. It doesn’t matter if you are looking to replace the roof on your house or you have a commercial building that needs a roof. Property owners can now choose from TPO, PVC or EPDM rubber roofing systems. As you consider these options, you also need to account for the weather conditions, the budget and the structure or materials of the existing roof. Each option has its own positives and negatives, requiring homeowners to do a little bit of research before hiring a roofing contractor.


Roofing Systems

The TPO roof system is comprised of membranes made from co-polymerized rubber. This composition makes them more flexible in extreme weather conditions. During an industry oil crisis, PVC become an alternative solution since the composition relied on half the amount of fossil fuels used in prior manufacturing systems. It was first manufactured in Europe and marketed as a way to combat the inadequacies of EPDM rubber roofing systems. EPDM rubber is an economical option relying on a single-ply membrane manufactured for durability and flexibility.


Roofing Applications

When looking at the choices, it is important to look at the building where the roof is needed. There are vast differences between the designs of residential housing structures and commercial buildings. You must also factor in weather conditions and the potential impact these can have on the longevity of the roof. EPDM is a common choice among commercial property owners. Because of the flexibility of the membranes, EPDM can adequately address unconventional roofing designs and can be installed more easily than other materials. The roofing is lightweight but provides a life expectancy of over 50 years.


Rubber roofing systems like TPO or EPDM provide budget-friendly options for a durable building cover. Adding a coating can help further the longevity of the roof and provide the added benefit of reducing energy consumption involving heating and cooling.