
TPO, aka “The Affordable White Roof”
Characteristics
Easy installation: Mule-Hide TPO Roofing Systems install quickly and with as little cost as possible.
Energy Efficient: The hallmark white roof of the TPO line has a good effect on your building’s utility bills, especially if you get some hot summers (like in Northern Virginia). White roofs can reflect up to almost 80% of the sun’s blazing rays, which keeps the building cooler without overworking your air conditioner. It can also reflect the sun to decrease the heat that builds up under the TPO membrane.
Note: You can also request other colors like grey, tan, black and others by special request. This can be useful if you live in an area where the summers aren’t intense and you’d actually welcome some free heat into your building.
Resistance: TPO guards your building against plenty of hazards since it’s resistant to these elements:
- Fire
- UV rays
- Airborne Bacteria
- Industrial pollutants
- Moisture
- Extreme cold
- Downpours
- Rooftop traffic
- Impacts
- Tears
- Punctures
Chlorine-Free products: Being free from this chemical benefits the environment.
Savings in Labor Costs: TPO is simple to install in a streamlined fashion, which results in shorter labor hours and lower installation costs. Various widths of seams between 8 to 12 feet make it possible to shave down labor times compared to using your run-of-the-mill PVC sheets.
Thick top ply: In fact, it’s one of the thickest in the commercial roofing industry!
Lightweight: It doesn’t add extra weight to your roof deck, especially during the construction process when tools and workers are also weighing down on the roof.
Flexible: Since TPO membranes are made of Thermoplastic polyolefin, they’re flexible in any weather and temperature. They won’t crack or split when faced with harsh elements.
Fixable: TPO membranes are easy to fix and clean so they can stay useful for years after installation.
TPO Products
- Primer: When you need to get TPO surfaces ready for bonding, this solvent-based product will clean and prime them so the job is flawless. VOC-free so it’s good for the environment and healthier for your labor force.
- Bonding Adhesive: What you need to bond the TPO membrane. This adhesive is solvent-based.
- Sealant: This is a must-have for any TPO project that should be used to secure membrane seams.
- Membranes: Made of thermoplastic polyolefin, TPO membranes are flexible and resilient. Energy-Star certified. This product comes in white.
- Pipe Seals: These handy seals can fit over an existing pipe. Integrates flawlessly with the rest of the TPO roofing system.
EPDM: Strong and Water-Tight Commercial Roofing

Similarities with TPO
- Is fit for both new constructions or retrofit systems.
- Lightweight system won’t weigh the roof down
- Has flexible membranes that won’t crack in extreme cold or heat
- Long life due to resistance to these elements:
- Fire
- UV rays
- Airborne Bacteria
- Industrial pollutants
- Moisture
- Extreme cold
- Downpours
- Rooftop traffic
- Impacts
- Tears
- Punctures
- Also offers single-ply membranes
- Has all the same products (but configured to EPDM standards):
- Primer
- Bonding Adhesive
- Sealant
- Membranes
- Pipe Seals
Unique Characteristics
EPDM also stands apart from TPO in these ways:
- It’s especially watertight
- Ozone-resistance is an added bonus
- Ideal for fully-adhered roofing systems
- Some membranes come reinforced with polyester, not just polyolefin, to be even tougher than TPO
- Suited for irregularly-shaped buildings and steep slopes
- EPDM offers acrylic water-based bonding adhesives that are good for steep slopes, horizontal, and vertical surfaces. In fact, there are no slope restrictions!
- EPDM Takes longer to install than TPO
Commercial Roofing Services in Northern Virginia
The search for a commercial roof contractor that serves Centreville and Northern Virginia can seem exhausting. Noble Roofing aspires to earn your trust by completing every job well, so give us a call. Aside from the range of Mulehide commercial roofing products we have available, we also do insurance work so you can turn to us at any time to get your commercial roof back into shape after any kind of incident.
To learn more about Noble Roofing’s commercial roofing services and to get a free estimate, give us a call today at (703) 404-0505 or leave us a message online during our non-business hours. We look forward to assisting you with all your commercial roofing needs.