This roof organization is synthesized from a perfect blend of tires of vehicles that have been reprocessed, wood shavings, and slate dust. Since it is made from reused items, its cost is much lower.
Benefits of Having an EPDM Roof
The primary advantage of using an EPDM roof is its comparatively lower cost. Secondarily, it is lightweight since it does not require extra adhesives while manufacturing. Contrary to TPO roofs, it is more long-lasting and, therefore, can be used for 20 years or so. An EPDM roof is unaffected by scratches and rubbing, but if mutilated, it can be mended with the help of readily available sealants. Comparatively, the EPDM roof is resistant to damage resulting from high heat.
Cons of Having an EPDM Roof
The major drawback of using an EPDM roof is that it usually comes in black. Since black color is an absorber of heat, therefore, results in a much higher temperature. This makes it less beneficial, especially in summer when you need to fend off heat absorption. EPDM roofs can be bought in white to avoid this drawback, but this will impose an extra 20-30% charge on the original cost.
What is TPO?
TPO stands for Thermoplastic polyolefin. It was initially used in the American trade market in the 1990s, which was then used to conceal some commonly used rooftops. It is now used as another substitute for roofing procedures. Its popularity is because it is of low cost and is initially manufactured in white. At the same time, EPDM roofs need to be stained white to prevent excessive heat absorption.
Benefits of Having TPO Roofs
The foremost benefit of using TPO roofs is that they are cost-effective, and another advantage is the ability to join them to form massive plates. Another feature of TPO roofing is its capability to protect against UV radiation. This allows the roof to control the temperature in a tolerable range, even in hot weather. Since a layer of UV-resistant material covers it, it can be used in whatever color you want. TPO is dirt-repellent and does not accumulate dust and debris. It can also withstand external solid forces and stress. TPO is also malleable, making it a choice for recreational automobiles. It can also withstand high thermal impacts. It is beneficial for American recreational vehicles since it allows them to be used in all temperature ranges, whether too high in the places along the equator or too low in regions along the poles.
Cons of Having TPO Roofs
The biggest hitch of using a TPO roof is that it is not as durable as EPDM. Since the TPO technology has recently been discovered, it requires a lot of research to be done and make it much more likely to be used widely for roofing works and comparatively long-lasting. Even though it is cheap to produce, the primary area of research is still to find the most suitable method, which is undoubtedly where the manufacturers have failed a lot. Many of these failures have resulted from high-temperature exposures due to sunlight. According to research, many experiments have been done to find the drawbacks of TPO, but the researchers have yet to face a significant disadvantage of using TPO roofs. In a nutshell, I can say that I will surely opt for EPDM even though the TPO roofs are pretty shiny and comparatively cost-effective.
Best RV Roof Material
The best RV roof material is Aluminium since it is lightweight, making the overall RV roof light. Secondly, it is resistant to punctures and holes which the tree branches in collisions may cause. These two features make it likely to be used as a roofing preference when camping in primitive forests.
Installation & Maintenance
The overall procedure for installing the RV roof is as follows :
Remove the hoods and housings which have been previously installed. Remove all other attachments. Remove the previous old roof. Then clean it and adhere to the surface a new one. Cut holes through the vents for exchange.
Now comes the steps for the maintenance of RV roofs.
Clean the roof regularly. Inspect it to check for any damages. If you find any holes, reseal them and always try to recoat them to prevent corrosion or tarnishing.
TPO Vs EPDM ROOFS
1. Cost
TPO roofs are comparatively much more costly than EPDM, making EPDM more likely to be used.
2. Longevity
The longevity of a roof depends on how the roof has been installed and sealed. Thereingfore the joints should be sealed perfectly together so that there might not be any holes left. If the top is not implemented efficiently, the holes might reduce the longevity of the roofs. The life span of TPO is usually between 20-30 years but generally close to 24 years. On the other hand, EPDM roofs can be used for a good 20 years. Despite the facts mentioned above, EPDM roofs have developed themselves as the market standards and are comparatively more popular.
3. Durability
EPDM roofs have been in the market for the past few decades. Since they are made up of rubber and can be widely used; moreover, they are resistant to ultraviolet radiations and keep the temperature within a tolerable range. On the other hand, TPO is not that temperature resistant and can also react poorly with water, resulting in corrosion. EPDM is known in the market for its more straightforward and quicker installation. At the same time, TPO requires tools and specific equipment for welding, which infers that it must cost much more than EPDM. Additionally, EPDM can be installed by a layperson, whereas TPO needs the support of an installation specialist contractor.
4. Ease of Maintenance
EPDM does not require extra maintenance and additional cleaning, but TPO needs much more active cleaning and supervision.
Which one is Better?
If we assess the ability to protect from ultraviolet radiation, TPO roofing materials are much better. But if EPDM is colored, it might become more efficient than TPO.
Conclusion
If we critically analyze the properties of both roofs, the distinctive feature of EPDM is that it is comparatively long-lasting. Still, its major drawback is that if it is left black, it might not be able to control the temperature within a desirable range. And if it is stained, then it might become costly. TPO has the beneficial feature of being cheap and lighter, but it is not as durable as EPDM. Comment * Name * Email * Website
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