What is TPO?
Often chosen for
- Sunny roofs over top-floor apartments
- Larger and commercial flat roofs
- Roofs where reflective (white) roofing is wanted
Types and installation methods
| Mechanically attached | Membrane fastened through the insulation into the deck, with fasteners hidden in the welded seams. |
| Fully adhered | Membrane glued to the insulation board; no fasteners through the sheet. |
| Thickness | Common membrane thicknesses are 45, 60 and 80 mil; thicker sheets have more material over the reinforcing scrim. |
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
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How long does TPO last?
Estimated life expectancy: 7–20 years (TPO), from InterNACHI's Standard Estimated Life Expectancy Chart. InterNACHI says these figures assume regular maintenance and normal wear and are guidelines, not guarantees. Real service life depends on installation quality, drainage, exposure and upkeep.
Signs your TPO roof needs repair
- Open or lifted seams
- Punctures or cuts near HVAC units
- Membrane shrinkage pulling at edges and flashings
- Ponding water that stays more than a couple of days
- Wet insulation found under the membrane
Repair or replace?
Repair when the damage is limited (a puncture, a short open seam, a flashing detail) and the insulation below is dry. Replace when seams are failing across the roof, the membrane has become brittle, or large areas of insulation are wet. We check with photos and, where needed, by cutting a small test core.
What affects the cost
We price every job after inspecting and measuring the roof. These are the main factors:
- Roof size and shape, and number of penetrations (vents, drains, HVAC curbs)
- Tear-off: how many old layers must be removed
- Insulation: replacing wet boards, adding tapered insulation for drainage
- Membrane thickness and attachment method
- Parapet walls, flashing, coping and drains
- Access, hoisting and debris removal
[Owner: optional typical price range from your own jobs. Leave out if you prefer quoting per job]
TPO in Brooklyn & NYC
On Brooklyn rowhouses and apartment buildings, TPO is often chosen for roofs above top-floor units that get hot in summer. Flashing at parapet walls, bulkheads and skylights is where most leaks start, so we pay as much attention to those details as to the field of the roof.
Our process
- Inspection & photos
We inspect the roof, drains and flashing and document what we find. - Written estimate
Scope, materials and options in writing before work starts. - Installation or repair
TPO work done to the manufacturer's instructions. [Owner: manufacturers/brands you install] - Clean-up & final photos
Debris removed, final walkthrough and photos.
Compare other flat roofing options
EPDM · Modified Bitumen · Built-Up (BUR) · Rolled Roofing · All flat roofing systems