Climate definitely matters, but installation quality is huge too. I've worked on TPO roofs that held up fine past 10 years because the seams were welded properly. Poor installs usually cause the early failures you're seeing.
- Totally agree, installation makes or breaks it.
- I've seen TPO roofs thriving after 12+ years, all thanks to careful seam welding and attention to detail.
- It's frustrating when people blame the material itself, when often it's just rushed or sloppy installs causing issues.
- Good on you for highlighting this—quality workmanship deserves more credit.
- Keep sharing your insights, it's helpful for folks navigating roofing choices.
I've gotta say, while installation is definitely key, I'm not totally convinced TPO itself is off the hook. Had a neighbor who went with TPO about 8 years ago—he was meticulous, hired a reputable crew, and even stood up there himself watching every seam weld like a hawk. Still, after about 6 years, he started noticing some weird bubbling and lifting in spots. He got it checked out, and apparently UV exposure had started breaking down the material faster than expected.
Now, I'm not saying TPO is junk or anything. Clearly, plenty of folks have roofs holding strong for over a decade. But maybe there's more variability in the material quality itself than we realize? Could be that certain brands or batches just don't hold up as well over time, even with perfect installs.
Personally, I went with EPDM rubber roofing on my flat garage roof about five years back. The install wasn't exactly textbook—my brother-in-law and I tackled it over a weekend with YouTube tutorials and a lot of coffee—but it's still rock solid today. No leaks, no bubbles, no drama. Maybe we got lucky...or maybe the material itself is just more forgiving?
Anyway, just throwing it out there that sometimes the material choice might matter more than we think—even if installation is spot-on.
