TPO vs EPDM: Which flat roof membrane is right for your building?
Straight talk on TPO vs EPDM from a commercial roofing team in Burlington, KY.
Your flat roof is leaking or showing age, and you need a replacement. You keep hearing about TPO and EPDM, but contractors give different advice. In Burlington, where summers are hot and winters bring freeze-thaw cycles, the wrong choice can mean more repairs down the road.
TPO is a white, reflective thermoplastic membrane. It bounces sunlight away and keeps your building cooler, which matters during Burlington's humid, 90-degree summers. That means lower air conditioning bills. EPDM is a black rubber sheet that handles standing water and extreme cold without cracking. If your roof has low spots where water ponds after rain, EPDM seals better. For most commercial buildings in this area, TPO is the default because of energy savings. But the final call depends on your roof's slope and drainage.
Installed cost for TPO and EPDM is similar, usually between $5 and $8 per square foot. A full replacement on a small commercial roof (2,000 square feet) often runs $10,000 to $16,000. The price goes up if the old roof needs tear-off, if insulation is wet, or if decking is damaged. Both membranes come with warranties up to 20 or 30 years when installed correctly. TPO can reduce cooling bills by 15 to 20 percent each summer, which may pay back the difference over time.
Get a roof inspection from a local contractor who understands Burlington's freeze-thaw cycles and heavy spring rains. TruRoof offers a free commercial roof assessment. We check your roof's slope, drainage, and insulation, then recommend TPO or EPDM based on what will hold up best. Call today before the next storm turns a small leak into major damage.
Once your new roof is on, you stop worrying about leaks every time it rains. Your building stays dry through wet springs and icy winters. Energy costs drop, and you can focus on running your business, not calling roofers. A commercial roof is a 20-year decision. Getting it right the first time saves money and stress.
What people in Burlington say
"I'm reviewing my two new roofs, on my house and my garage, installed by TruRoof. The company, and Damon Chuke, their representative, helped me work with the insurance company, and with understanding all the details of the whole process. They took out an obsolete chimney, were on time and professional, and the finished roofs and flashing are beautiful. Many compliments from neighbors. Highly recommended by me."
"We have a beautiful condo in a historic building from the 1840s. Late November had a bad leak in the dining room area. I called Britt at TruRoof who came out and inspected the entire roof of the building. He said to do the entire roof could be around $50,000. But then he started laughing and said you need to caulk the area around one of the chimneys. I thought he was nuts, but I did the caulking, which cost me about 25 bucks worth of outdoor caulk, and there are no more leaks. I cannot express my appreciation for his diligence and his honesty. That kind of a company and a person is rare these days. Highly, highly, highly recommend these guys."
"TruRoof did an outstanding job from start to finish. Communication leading up to the start date was great. Once on site and the project started, everything went as discussed, and the crew was very professional."
Other things people in Burlington ask
can you reroof over an existing flat roof
A recover works when there is one roof layer and dry insulation. A core sample tells us in an hour.
how much does a commercial roof cost
We price by square footage, system and insulation and give you a written proposal you can put in front of the board.
commercial roof keeps leaking after repairs
When a roof fails despite repeated repairs, the membrane is likely shot. Get a core sample to check insulation. If it is wet, a full replacement or a silicone restoration coating may be needed. Stop wasting money on patches.
roof coating vs replacement flat roof
Coatings work when the roof is still structurally sound and the membrane is intact. If there are multiple leaks, ponding, or wet insulation underneath, a coating won't fix it. Get a moisture scan and a core sample before deciding.
Ready to talk?
TruRoof handles commercial roofing in Burlington and the area around it.