Your low roof is worn out, whether it’s over the back porch, the garage or the whole shop, and every roofer you’ve talked to has said “TPO” like you should already know what that means. You’d like to understand what you’re paying for before you sign anything. TPO roofing in Shawnee, KS is a solid choice for a lot of low-slope roofs, but it isn’t magic, and how it’s installed matters more than the brand on the roll.
You also want to be sure it’s the right membrane for your roof, not just the one that’s easiest to sell. That’s a fair thing to ask.
APC Roofing installs and repairs TPO on homes and commercial buildings across the Kansas City area. We’re GAF Certified, licensed and insured, and your inspection is free. Call 913-398-5020 to have your roof looked at.
What TPO is
TPO stands for thermoplastic polyolefin. It’s a single-ply roofing membrane that comes in wide rolls, usually white. The thing that sets it apart is the seams. Instead of being glued or taped, overlapping sheets are melted together with hot air, so each seam becomes one continuous piece of material.
On a low roof, the seams are where most leaks start, so a properly welded seam is a real advantage. Each weld can also be checked with a probe before the crew leaves.
TPO roofing on a house
Yes, TPO goes on houses all the time. Any part of a home with too little slope for shingles is a candidate: porch and carport roofs, attached garages, sunrooms, additions and dormers with a shallow pitch. Shingles need a steeper roof to shed water, and on a low slope wind-driven rain gets pushed up under them.
The detail that matters most on a house is where the TPO meets the main roof or wall. The membrane has to run up and tuck under the shingles or siding above, so water coming down lands on top of it. Get that lap backward and the porch leaks no matter how good the rest of the job is.
TPO roofing in Shawnee vs. EPDM
These are the two membranes you’ll hear about most around Kansas City, and both work well when installed right.
TPO is white and reflects a good share of the summer sun. That keeps the roof surface cooler on a July afternoon in Shawnee, which can help the room underneath and slows heat aging of the membrane. Its seams are welded.
EPDM is black synthetic rubber. It stays flexible in deep cold and has decades of history on low roofs. Its seams are bonded with primer and tape rather than welded, and it absorbs heat in summer instead of reflecting it.
For a sunroom or addition that’s lived in year-round, the white surface of TPO is often appealing. For some roofs, EPDM makes more sense. The framing, the drainage, what’s below the roof and your budget all play into it, and you’ll hear our recommendation with the reason behind it. Our EPDM roofing in the Kansas City area page covers that membrane in detail.
What a good TPO install needs
The membrane is only the top layer. A TPO roof that lasts is built from the deck up.
Slope and drainage. Water has to move toward a gutter, scupper or drain. Low spots get built up with tapered insulation or a cricket before the membrane goes on.
Insulation and cover board. Rigid insulation goes over the deck, usually with a thin cover board on top that gives the membrane a firm, smooth base and helps it resist hail and foot traffic.
Thickness. TPO is measured in mils, thousandths of an inch. Thicker membranes resist punctures and weathering better. You can’t tell the thickness from the driveway, so it should be written on your estimate.
Attachment. TPO is either mechanically fastened with plates and screws hidden in the seams, or fully adhered with bonding adhesive. Wind pulls hardest at the corners and perimeter of a low roof, so those zones get extra attachment.
Edges and walls. Edge metal holds the perimeter down and directs water into the gutter. At walls, the membrane is clamped with a termination bar and covered with counterflashing.
TPO in Kansas weather
Spring hail is the big one here. Hail can bruise or puncture a membrane, and the damage isn’t always visible from a ladder. A firm cover board and a thicker membrane improve resistance. After a major storm, a close walk of the roof is worth the time.
Winter brings freeze-thaw cycles at any spot where water ponds, and snow load on large low roofs. Summer brings heat that makes the membrane expand and contract every day, which tests seams and flashing over the years.
If hail or wind damaged your roof, you file the claim with your insurance company and pay your own deductible. We document the damage, provide the estimate and work with your adjuster.
TPO repairs
A TPO puncture or open seam is repaired by cleaning the area and heat-welding a new patch over it. Older TPO that’s weathered for years needs careful cleaning before a new piece will weld properly. If you already have a leak, our flat roof repair in Shawnee page explains how the source gets found. For business buildings, see commercial roofing in Shawnee.
How it works
- Book your free inspection. Call 913-398-5020 or request a free estimate online.
- Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. We check the existing roof, the drainage and the insulation, and you get photos and a written estimate that lists the membrane, thickness and attachment.
- The roof gets done and the site gets cleaned up. Old roofing, scraps and fasteners leave with the crew.
An old low roof that’s already leaking lets water into the insulation, and wet insulation has to be torn out and replaced, which adds to the job. Looking at it sooner keeps your options simpler.
TPO roofing questions
Can TPO go over my old roof?
Sometimes. If there’s only one existing roof layer and the insulation underneath is dry, a recover with a separator board may be allowed. Otherwise, the old roof comes off first.
How can I tell if my TPO roof has hail damage?
Often you can’t from the ground. Look for dented gutters, vents and edge metal as a clue, and have the membrane checked up close after a big hailstorm.
Can people walk on a TPO roof?
Yes, for service and inspection. On commercial roofs with regular traffic to rooftop units, walkway pads protect the membrane along the usual path.
Does a white roof make my house colder in winter?
The cooling benefit of a white roof is mostly in summer. In winter, your insulation does most of the work, which is why the insulation under the membrane matters as much as its color.
A low roof you can stop worrying about
Call 913-398-5020 or book your free inspection online. You’ll understand the membrane going on your roof and why it was chosen, and the next storm will run off it the way it should.
