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TPO Roofing vs EPDM Roofing: Which is Best for Your Project?

March 10, 2025 | General

When selecting a roofing material for commercial or residential flat roofs, two popular choices are TPO roofing and EPDM roofing. Both materials offer durability and weather resistance, but they differ in cost, installation, and performance. This article breaks down the pros and cons of EPDM vs. TPO to help you make an informed decision.

What is TPO Roofing?

TPO roofing is a single-ply membrane made of a synthetic rubber and plastic blend. It is designed for durability, energy efficiency, and ease of installation.

What is EPDM Roofing?

EPDM roofing is a single-ply membrane made of synthetic rubber. It offers excellent weather resistance, energy efficiency, and a simple installation process, with a lifespan exceeding 50 years.

Roofing Systems Compared

Both systems follow similar trends due to their manufactured nature; however, we have outlined how EPDM and TPO compare in key areas such as energy efficiency, durability, ease of installation, project cost, and lifetime value.

Energy Efficiency

Both membranes are energy-efficient and have excellent energy ratings. TPO roofing is known for its ability to reflect sunlight due to its traditionally lighter color (white), making it particularly suited for warmer climates.

However, EPDM roofing is highly adaptable to both hot and cold climates. When considering internal factors such as hot/cold roof installations, EPDM is a solid choice for both commercial and residential projects.

Durability

While both TPO and EPDM membranes are durable, EPDM roofinghas a proven track record of lasting over 50 years with minimal maintenance. TPO roofing, while strong, is still undergoing long-term durability evaluations, with some variations in material quality affecting performance.

Ease of Installation

EPDM roofing is easier to install than TPO roofing due to its flexibility and compatibility with multiple installation methods, e.g. adhesive bonding. TPO roofing requires heat welding for seam integrity, making installation more labor-intensive and specialised compared to EPDM’s straightforward primer-seam tape method.

Project Costs

EPDM roofing typically has a lower upfront cost compared to TPO roofing. TPO membranes may require higher material and installation costs, especially when heat welding is involved, making EPDM the more budget-friendly option for many projects.

Lifetime Value

With a well-documented lifespan of 50+ years, EPDM roofing provides excellent lifetime value due to its durability and lower maintenance requirements. TPO roofing, while energy-efficient and durable, is still being evaluated for its long-term reliability.

Conclusion

While TPO roofing is a solid system, it still has areas to improve on when compared to EPDM roofing in order to become a more viable long-term option. We believe in EPDM’s superior performance, but also recognise that competition in the market drives innovation, ultimately strengthening and improving roofing materials, including EPDM.

We proudly supply Techno TRC EPDM membrane, along with installation materials, step-by-step guides, and expert advice to ensure you have everything needed for your roofing project. Our helpful EPDM roofing calculator generates a customised quote based on your project specifications. For those eager to gain hands-on experience, we offer EPDM installation training at our High Wycombe premises, led by our certified trainers.