TPO vs EPDM: which flat roof is right for your building?
If you manage commercial roofing in Harrison, OH, this is the TPO vs EPDM answer without the runaround.
Your flat roof over a Harrison shop or office is showing age. After heavy Ohio rains, water sits in low spots. One roofer says white TPO. Another says black EPDM rubber. You just want to pick the right membrane before you spend real money. You need this settled before the next storm.
A flat roof in Harrison takes a beating from summer heat, cold snaps, and heavy rain. TPO is a white sheet that reflects sunlight. That keeps the building cooler and lowers air conditioning strain. For most Cincinnati-area commercial buildings, TPO is the default choice. EPDM is a black rubber sheet. It handles standing water well and has a long track record on low slopes. If your roof holds water after storms, the choice comes down to drainage and how much sun the roof gets.
Cost depends on roof size, tear-off, insulation, and whether the deck is still sound. The condition of the deck below the membrane matters most. A simple recover takes less time than a full tear-off down to the deck. Many Harrison commercial roofs need new insulation or edge metal once the old membrane comes off. Plan for a few days to about two weeks for most low-slope jobs. A roof assessment will show what your building actually needs before you commit.
This week, get a roof assessment that maps ponding areas, open seams, and soft deck spots. Do not choose a membrane just because it costs less up front. A Harrison roof with poor drainage will fail under either material. If water is already entering the building, treat it as urgent. TruRoof can walk your building, check the slope and drainage, and tell you which membrane fits. Ask for photos and a straight recommendation.
Once the right membrane is on, water moves off the roof instead of sitting on it. You stop guessing every time it rains. Your building stays drier, and cooling bills settle down in summer. No more conflicting advice from two roofers. You have a clear record of what was installed and why. That makes the next roof decision years away a lot easier.
What people in Harrison 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 Harrison 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 Harrison and the area around it.