TPO vs EPDM for your flat commercial roof? Here’s how to decide.
Straight answers from TruRoof, commercial roofing in Cincinnati, OH.
You manage a building in Cincinnati. Maybe an office near Hyde Park Square or a warehouse off I-71. Your flat roof is leaking or showing its age. Every contractor has a different opinion on TPO versus EPDM. You need to make the right call before the next big storm.
TPO is a white, single-ply membrane that reflects sunlight. That keeps your building cooler in Cincinnati’s hot, humid summers. EPDM is black rubber, built like an inner tube. It absorbs heat but handles ponding water well. If your roof has low spots or poor drainage, that matters. Most commercial roofs in Hamilton County slope just enough to drain. If yours does, TPO is usually the better pick. It cuts cooling costs and stands up to UV rays.
Cost depends on your roof’s size, thickness of the membrane, and tear-off needs. For a typical 5,000-square-foot commercial roof in Cincinnati, expect a full replacement to fall between $25,000 and $40,000. TPO often runs slightly less than EPDM because the material is lighter and easier to install. If your roof deck has wet insulation or structural damage, the price goes up. A simple overlay on a sound roof costs less than a full tear-off.
This week, get a core sample. A roofing contractor cuts a small square out of your roof to check for wet insulation beneath the membrane. That tells you if you need a full replacement or can overlay. Do not let anyone quote you without seeing what’s underneath. TruRoof provides free roof assessments for commercial buildings across Cincinnati, from Over-the-Rhine to Rookwood Commons. We test drainage, measure slope, and tell you which membrane fits.
After the work is done, you stop worrying about leaks when storms roll through. Your heating and cooling bills level out. Tenants and employees stay dry. You have one less emergency on your list and a roof built for Cincinnati weather.
What people in Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati and the area around it.