TPO vs EPDM: Which Flat Roof Membrane Is Right For You?
Straight answers about commercial roofing from TruRoof, serving Mason, OH.
Your flat commercial roof in Mason is showing its age. You see cracks, bubbles, or standing water after a rain. You keep hearing TPO and EPDM, but nobody explains the difference in plain terms. You need to know what holds up under Ohio summers and ponding water.
If you walk on your roof and see a black rubber surface with seams, that's EPDM. It has been on commercial buildings for decades. If you see a white or light gray plastic-looking membrane, that's TPO. It is newer and common on warehouses, retail buildings, and offices around Mason. Both are meant for flat and low-slope roofs, but they behave differently. Heat from the sun, ponding water from heavy rain, and the freeze-thaw cycle all affect which one lasts longer.
Cost depends on the size of your roof and how much of the old material has to come off. A simple recover over one layer costs less. Tearing off multiple layers adds time and labor. On a typical 5,000-square-foot commercial roof in Mason, a TPO install may land in the same ballpark as a quality EPDM system. The bigger difference is what makes sense for your building's drainage and shade. A roof that drains slowly or has sections that hold water may benefit from EPDM. A wide-open roof under the sun usually does better with TPO's white surface.
Stop patching leaks and get a professional assessment. A TruRoof inspector can measure your roof's slope, map where water sits, and check insulation. That data tells you which membrane matches your building. Do not choose based on a brochure or a friend's recommendation. This is a decision that shapes your energy bills and repair schedule for 20 years.
Once the right roof is on, you check it off your list. No more buckets in the hallway. Your maintenance costs drop. It handles Mason storms without worry. You go back to running your business, not babysitting a roof.
What people in Mason 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 Mason 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 Mason and the area around it.