Single-Ply Roofing

Goldstone General Contractors Corp has been installing and servicing commercial and industrial single-ply roofing systems. Our expertise in single-ply membranes delivers quality craftsmanship and value-engineered roofing solutions to our customers. Additionally, our commitment to a positive customer experience makes us the roofing partner you can trust with your next project.

What is Single-Ply Roofing?

Single-ply roofing is classified as flexible sheets of compounded plastic-derived material that are used to cover and protect flat and low-sloped buildings. These prefabricated membranes are manufactured in a factory to strict quality control requirements and can be attached in a variety of methods. In the last 30 years, single-ply roofing has displaced older materials, such as tar paper, as the go-to roofing material for commercial roofing contractors. Properly installed, single-ply roofing systems offer an inherent advantage over traditional materials due to their strength, flexibility, and high durability. 

Types of Single-Ply Roofing Systems

There are three main types of single-ply roofs:

• TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin)
  
• PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
  
• EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer)

PVC membrane roofs have been in use for decades. They are time tested and still a popular roofing system. For many years, EPDM roofing had been the top choice for single-ply roofing. However, TPO roofing is considered the gold standard of roofing materials.

TPO

TPO is the fastest-growing commercial membrane roofing system around and is on the forefront of single-ply roofing technology. It’s engineered for superior, long-term performance and offers the added benefit of being environmentally sound. Those who’ve used and installed it find that its advanced reflectivity dovetails nicely with cool roofing solutions, helping to keep their storage facilities, warehouses, and working environments more cost efficient. Further, TPO offers reduced maintenance and is highly versatile, offering resistance to environmental pollutants and chemicals. And those in stormy areas will appreciate that it is abrasion, tear, and puncture-resistant. TPO provides LEED credit qualification, and is Energy Star rated and Cool Roof Rating Council approved.

The Advantages of a TPO Membrane System

TPO membranes are a heat-weldable blend of polypropylene and ethylene propylene rubber components, available in white, gray, and tan, with white being the most popular for its high reflectivity. TPO comes in a variety of thicknesses and price options, ranging from 45 mil to 80+ mil, and is suitable for a wide mix of all facility applications and budgets. TPO offers proven performance for replacing or recovering existing roof systems. Its UV-resistant ability reflects nearly 87 percent of harsh sunrays away from the roof and can reduce cooling costs in air-conditioned facilities. TPO also offers excellent wind uplift resistance and comes with an average warranty of up to 20 years.

EPDM

For over 50 years, EPDM has continued to be one of the most frequently used roofing materials on the market. Architects, consultants, and engineers continue to specify EPDM as a high-performance and energy-efficient roofing system. Proven performance in even the toughest weather conditions has made EPDM a dependable and versatile choice. With built-in UV protection and thermal shock durability, the sun beating down on your business can’t penetrate it. And EPDM is ozone resistant, too. Plus, when the weather becomes frozen, it keeps its flex and even protects your productivity in high winds and hail. Not only does it resist deterioration after decades of on-the-job service to you, a 30-year warranty is available for extra peace of mind. EPDM has superior tensile strength, and when it’s time for replacement, offers a fully recyclable membrane.

Strong, with a Sensitive Side

EPDM is a synthetic rubber elastomer, manufactured for superior strength and flexibility. It also provides an impervious surface that doesn’t pollute rainwater runoff, making it an environmentally sound roofing choice. Additionally, EPDM is fire resistant, recyclable, and economical, qualifying building owners for LEED points and meeting ASTM standards for new membranes.

PVC

Whether you and your business care about a triple bottom line (people, planet, and profits) or just a single bottom line, thermoplastic polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a roofing membrane infused with benefits. Clients who’ve installed it invariably discover that it’s a long-term, cost-effective solution. From an environmental perspective, it’s hard to beat short of a living green roofing solution. With its Energy Star rating, and its highly reflective, recyclable single-ply material, PVC is the obvious choice for environmentally sound roofing systems. Plus, with cool roof paybacks and LEED credit qualification, the benefits just keep adding up. From a durability perspective, oil, grease, and chemicals don’t like PVC’s highly resistant surface, and it’s incredibly easy to repair and maintain.

PVC is a solid option for restaurants, airports and commercial facilities with grease, oil, and chemical concerns, and environments that experience dilute acidic effluents. White reflective PVC roofing panels have a surface that provides a cooling effect that owners desire to provide energy savings in warmer climates. It has been tested in the industry for more than 35 years and now meets the most stringent codes in a wide variety of climates.

Why PVC Is an Industry Standard

Put simply, PVC is engineered to stand the test of time. Durable, yet pliable, PVC is an ideal long-term roofing solution, available with fleece backing and in thicknesses up to 80 mil. The thicker the membrane, the greater its resistance to breakage, tears, water absorption, and weathering. Manufactured to stringent standards, PVC membrane comes with plasticizer bonding agents, polyester reinforcement, and UV protectants. And its large membrane sheets mean it’s easy to install, with fewer seams in need of protection.

A Long Name with a Longer List of Benefits

Thermoplastic polyvinyl chloride membrane has a very affordable commercial life-cycle cost when compared with other roofing membranes. As mentioned, PVC retains a high reflectivity value over time, offering continued energy efficiency and optimal solar reflectance index (SRI). Roofs that are frequently exposed to grease or chemicals, such as restaurants and food processing facilities, benefit from the protection afforded by a PVC roofing system. Puncture resistance and strong seam bonding provide excellent waterproofing protection.