I've managed a couple buildings with TPO roofs, and honestly, brittleness hasn't been a huge issue yet. But colder climates...yeah, that's another story. Had one property where the seams started lifting slightly during winter months—nothing catastrophic, but enough to make me nervous. Seems like TPO can get a bit finicky when temps drop below freezing. Still beats endless patching, though...at least so far.
"Seems like TPO can get a bit finicky when temps drop below freezing."
Yeah, that's exactly what worries me about TPO. I'm a first-time homeowner, and while I don't have commercial experience, I've been researching roofing options for my own place. From what I've read, EPDM seems to handle temperature swings better, especially in colder climates. A friend of mine had TPO installed on his garage roof, and after just two winters, he noticed similar seam issues—nothing major, but enough to make him question the long-term reliability.
I get that TPO might save you from constant patching initially, but I'm skeptical about its durability over the long haul. EPDM might require occasional maintenance, but at least it seems more predictable in extreme weather. Maybe it's just me being overly cautious as a newbie homeowner, but I'd rather deal with known maintenance than unexpected surprises down the road...
"EPDM might require occasional maintenance, but at least it seems more predictable in extreme weather."
You're spot-on about EPDM being predictable. I've had EPDM on my detached workshop roof for nearly a decade now, and it's held up remarkably well through some pretty harsh winters. Sure, I've had to reseal a seam or two over the years, but nothing unexpected or overly complicated. On the other hand, my neighbor went with TPO about five years ago, and he's already had a couple of headaches with seam separation during cold snaps. Nothing catastrophic, but enough to make him grumble every time the forecast dips below freezing, haha.
Honestly, I think TPO can be a solid choice for certain climates or if you're looking for that initial cost-saving. But if you're in an area with frequent temperature swings or harsh winters, EPDM just seems like the safer bet. Predictability is underrated—especially when it comes to roofs. I'd rather know exactly what I'm dealing with than get caught off guard by a surprise leak in January...
I've seen similar things with TPO—especially in colder climates. A few quick thoughts from my experience:
- EPDM is definitely predictable in temperature extremes, but when it comes to fire safety, TPO actually tends to have an edge. EPDM typically needs additional fire-retardant treatments, whereas TPO membranes often come with built-in fire resistance. Might be worth considering if fire safety is a big concern.
- Completely agree about the seam issues with TPO in harsh winters. I've seen plenty of roofs where seams start to separate after just a few freeze-thaw cycles. Not catastrophic usually, but annoying enough to warrant some skeptical eyebrow-raising...
- That said, installation quality matters a ton. I've also seen EPDM roofs fail prematurely because of sloppy workmanship. A properly installed TPO roof might actually outperform a poorly installed EPDM, even in harsh weather.
- Quick anecdote: I inspected a commercial building last winter that had both types of roofing installed (different wings, different contractors). After a nasty ice storm, the EPDM side was rock solid, but the TPO side had developed several small seam splits. Nothing major, but enough that the building manager was pretty irritated.
Bottom line: EPDM's predictability is great for harsh climates, but don't overlook TPO entirely—just make sure whoever installs it knows exactly what they're doing. And if fire resistance is critical, TPO might actually be the safer bet.
Interesting points here. I'm new to all this roofing stuff, but from what I've read, TPO's built-in fire resistance does sound appealing. Still, those seam issues in cold weather make me a bit nervous... decisions, decisions.
