Pros and Cons of TPO roofing for your South Florida home
Flat roofing continues to gain popularity in the state of Florida since we started seeing its use in the early 1990s, especially as more and more homeowners are going for that modern and simplistic look. Not to mention, TPO roofing, which is made from thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) is low cost and offers resistance to ultraviolet, ozone, and chemical exposure. Further, these single-ply roofing systems are heat-reflective and energy efficient.
TPO is one of a few different types of rubber, usually a blend of polypropylene and ethylene-propylene rubber. These single ply roofing systems are a dependable and energy efficient roofing system that lowers your home’s overall construction costs. TPO roofing systems are quite common in both home and commercial roofs in Florida. The color and associated reflective properties, reduction in energy costs, and durability in hot climates such as in Florida, can mean a sizeable decrease in maintenance costs.
However, these roofs come with a variety of pros and cons, and homeowners need to think carefully before selecting TPO in lieu of a more traditional option. The life expectancy of a TPO roof is 22 to 30 years, far more than the standard 15-year lifespan.
The pros of TPO roofing for your South Florida home
The cons of TPO roofing for your South Florida home
The southern Florida weather is a critical consideration for your roof
There are many benefits to living in Florida. It is hot and sunny almost every day. There is no snow, and it is pretty rare that you need to scrape frost off the windows of your car. There are oodles of beaches and state parks to enjoy. If you love the outdoors, especially yachting, sailing, diving, swimming, fishing, etc., then Florida offers world-class experiences for all of those passions. If you like to golf, you don’t have to drive too far to find an amazing golf course. And there is no state income tax!
Those are pretty amazing reasons to live in Florida, especially southern Florida. But, it is important to know that one or two hurricanes make landfall in the eastern United States every year. Of those, almost half hit Florida. In fact, Miami, Key West, and Tampa, Florida, are three of the top five cities in the United States most likely to experience the effects of a hurricane.
When living in these hot, and sometimes weather hostile areas, you want to make sure you have a roof that can withstand the wrath of Mother Nature, or at least stand a fighting chance. In the continental United States, Florida ranks at the top of the list of states most likely to experience a hurricane. With ocean-side coastlines that span 1,350 miles, the east, west, and southern borders of the state are all exposed to the Atlantic. While this can mean for some fun in the sun when the weather is good, Florida often finds itself close to the eye of the storm during hurricane season.
If you’ve ever watched the news after a hurricane, you will see hours of footage showing homes destroyed and all but demolished by the fury of these powerful storms. In 1992, hurricane Andrew generated wind speeds that topped 165 mph, and created $25 billion in damages to the state. Approximately 125,000 homes, located in just Miami-Dade County alone, were severely ravaged if not completely destroyed.
The various building and construction codes throughout Florida have faced quite a bit of scrutiny in recent years, and as a result, have undergone extensive updates, particularly for areas in high-velocity hurricane zones. In particular, these areas include Miami-Date and Broward counties.
The laws that embody the construction of both residential and commercial roofs in these areas are very specific. The legal changes that were made just over a decade ago came about so that roofs stood a better chance of surviving the high winds and pressures that are associated with high category storms. To review the codes for yourself, you can see the depth of the requirements on the Hurricane Mitigation page of the MiamiDade.gov website.
How do TPO roofs hold up in hurricanes?
So, if you like the look and cost of a TPO roof, you are not alone. Flat roofs are very popular in coastal living, and thus, in Florida. For residential dwellings, a roof that is entirely flat is not uncommon at all, but when balconies or patios are added to the equation, it is the roof above that may be flat.
And though installation of TPO roofs can sometimes be hard on the backs of the roofers, contractors and homeowners often select flat roofing for modern aesthetics as well as for the convenience. Plus, if you are adding on to a home, such as adding an additional bedroom, or a three-season porch, a flat roof can look very nice as a blend to the existing roof design. Varied roof pitches can add dimension to a home, and are very unique.
For flat roofing materials, wind resistance is actually less of an issue, and the material tends to have little derogatory impact from salt spray. The main concern from the Florida building code is that any structures or vents that reside on the flat roof need to be adequately fastened and sealed.
This all said, of course, the main job of the roof is to create a barrier between the building below, and the elements up in the atmosphere above. While in Florida, snow is not much of an issue, rain is, especially when it comes to hurricane season. So while the roof may be less likely to be torn off because it is more aerodynamic, a TPO roof is likely to experience water build-up, especially after the storm. Water build-up is even more common on the roof if gutters have become blocked from flying debris that is stirred up during the storm. Any time that water pools on the roof, your home becomes more suspectable to a leak.
It is important to note, however, that flat roofs aren’t really completely flat (or when constructed correctly, they shouldn’t be). Contractors do add a slight angle to the roof, even just a few degrees, so that water can work its way to the gutter, and can make its way away from the home. Again, this only works when gutters are free and clear, and that water can make its way to the downspout.
Whatever roofing style you select for your home, make sure you have a conversation both with your insurance company as well as an experienced contractor. Your insurance company may have guidance for you on the best roof based on where you live and their history with insurance claims. While insurance is designed to help you in the event you need a new roof, it is always best to look for options that will result in the least likelihood that you will need to file a claim down the road. If something goes wrong with your roof, it is altogether possible that you have experienced other damage in your home as well. And that is no picnic.
Further, a conversation with your contractor can assure you of their experience working with various materials. They can also assess your home in detail to ensure that the design and style you are looking for can actually be executed based on the specifics of your home. Taking the time to have these conversations before making a decision, will pay off in the long run.
Now that you know the pros and cons of getting TPO roofing for your home or commercial property in Florida, what comes next? If you’re in need of a new roof following a home disaster and you need help with your insurance company, reach out to Bulldog Adjusters for free damage inspection! We’ll help you get the largest possible settlement in order to afford the repairs that your home needs.
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Great article on TPO roofing. I have read plenty of TPO just because I was unable to get the detailed information. I am glad I came across your article.
There are lots of options for roofing materials available and here is a rundown of some of the most popular ones.
Nicely explain.
Deeply explain all the tpo roofing pros and cons.
Thank you for the information.