A History on TPO: The Commercial Roofing Go-To

TPO is at times considered the new roofing system on the block, even though the material has been around for decades and has proven its worth in the industry. Here is a little background on how TPO came about, the history of its testing and development, and where it stands today:

Back in the 1970s, flexible sheet, for a variety of uses, was either EPDM or flexible PVC. EPDM was not weldable and flexible PVC contained liquid plasticizers. Those plasticizers led to hazing of automotive windshields and embrittlement of the PVC as they evaporated. Thermoplastic polyolefins (TPO) were developed to be inherently flexible, plasticizer and halogen free, and to heat-weld. TPO membranes were first used for geomembrane applications such as pond liners. They also began to appear in the automobile industry to protect exterior surfaces and to be used as wire covers.

The first known TPO roofing membrane was installed in 1986 in Michigan. The TPO was produced by Montell specifically for the roofing market. Montell merged with two other companies in 2000 to become Basell. That company merged in 2007 with Lyondell to become Lyondell-Basell, which still supplies the majority of TPO to the roofing industry. In the late 1980s, Versico, a division of Goodyear Tire and Rubber, started to promote VersiWeld®, a reinforced TPO roofing membrane. They were followed by JPS Elastomerics in the early 1990s which launched Hi Tuff EP. JPS eventually became Stevens Roofing Systems. In the early 1990s, concerns began to surface about the use of halogenated fire retardants in TPO and their effect on UV resistance. This caused manufacturers to alter their formulations, using magnesium hydroxide as the fire retardant. This remains the case today. In the mid-1990s, Carlisle Syntec Systems acquired Versico and began marketing a TPO roofing membrane named SureWeld.

Beginning in the late 1990s, TPO began to gain significant market share. The specification covers physical properties, dimensions, and durability properties. The latter includes ozone resistance, heat aging, and weather resistance. Oven aging was tested at 240°F and went for 28 days. The ultraviolet light resistance is tested using a xenon arc apparatus and the exposure was doubled in 2006 to 10,080 kJ/m2. In 2011, the ASTM standard was revised again to address the heat aging protocol. This was raised to 240°F exposure for 224 days or 32 weeks, from 28 days.

From 1998 to now, TPO membrane sales have grown annually at a double-digit rate, far outpacing any other single-ply, mod bit, BUR, or metal product and its popularity as a commercial roofing material has spread worldwide.

Etiquette Tips for Putting Your Best Business Self Forward

If you are a small business owner or employee, part of your responsibility is to get in front of a homeowner and sell a job and the other part is actually doing the work. Larger companies may have separate sales people, but frequently the contractor is selling his own work. If you’re a contractor who’s more comfortable on the roof than inside a home, here are some tips to make sure you put your best foot forward when trying to sell a residential roofing job:

Dress for success. We all love a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, but when meeting a potential customer, put on a polo shirt or, even better, a company uniform and a pair of khakis. It makes a good, professional impression and whether we like it or not, first impressions count. Also take a moment to shine your shoes. You would be surprised by how rarely these simple steps are embraced in our profession.

Tend to your truck. Keep it neat by washing it, wrapping your logo on it, and putting away tools neatly. This also gives a good impression to a homeowner (and their neighbors) when they see the truck in their driveway. Does your truck wrap match your company uniform?

Be punctual. It’s better to be early and sit outside in your truck gathering your materials than be late or come running in at the last minute. Remember that the customer is waiting for you to arrive. It is always a good idea to arrive early and wait in the truck for 2 or 3 minutes. It lets them know you are there and respectful of their time.

Show you’re legit. Since you are now punctual, when you ring the doorbell, step back and have on a lanyard with your license or logo, photo, and name tag so a homeowner can see it clearly from the door’s peephole. Tip: Have your crews wear the same clip for easy identification.

Freshen up. You may have just inhaled an onion-infused burger or have been sweating it out on the roof, but the homeowner doesn’t need to smell that. Have mints on hand and wash up if you’re just coming off a job. A touch of cologne in the truck is never a bad idea either.

Respect the floor. Ask homeowners if they mind you walking in with your boots on or come with disposable booties that go over your shoes. 

Clean up after yourself. If you have to go in the attic or track a mess in the house, bring in a small portable cordless vac to clean up after yourself. A homeowner will appreciate your respect of their home.

Be courteous. Even if you are dealing with an unpleasant homeowner, don’t get drawn into conflict. Be pleasant and appreciative of the opportunity even if you want to run the other way. “Who’s the toughest customer?” Practice with your team how to handle difficult situations.

Put your phone away. The call or text can wait. Make the homeowner feel that they are important and deserve your attention. A good policy would be to turn your phone on silent (vibration off too) and leave it in your pocket unless you are accessing apps to help make the sale.

Don’t forget to say thanks. Shake hands firmly and thank the homeowner for the opportunity to serve them. And don’t be afraid to go the extra mile – send a thank you post card. A simple handwritten note adds a touch of class and can make a huge difference.

These small gestures go a long way and can help you make a good impression to sell that next job.

Hiring Your Next Commercial Roofer

If your business, warehouse or facility requires a roofing facelift, it’s important to find a licensed roofer who understands the unique requirements of commercial roofing. While residential and commercial roofs serve the same, protective purpose, their design and installation are different—and therefore require a different repair and construction approach.

Selecting a Commercial Roofing Contractor

Before hiring your roofer, keep in mind the following fundamental differences between commercial and residential roofing jobs:

When installing a commercial roof, it’s important for your contractor to be flexible about working around scheduled business hours. Rather than disrupting clients or closing facilities during regular work periods, a qualified commercial roofing contractor may need to work off-hours or over weekends to complete the job.

Commercial roofers must take building use into account when they’re installing your company’s roof— especially if your business contains heat-generating machinery, processing equipment or volatile chemicals. Reputable roofing contractors should carefully consider all aspects of your facility’s design before recommending a roofing material and installation process.

For most commercial jobs, total roofing area is much larger than residential projects. Because of this, facility roofing should be industrial-strength, and should contain a heavy-duty underlay that will withstand weather extremes and regular inspection foot traffic. Make sure the roofer you select is well-versed in the installation of these heavy-duty materials—and that their crew is large enough to complete your project in a timely manner.

Many large warehouses and commercial facilities are designed with flat roofs, rather than the slanted, gabled roofs common to Ontario residents. Talk with your roofing contractor about commercial roofing material options and their process for ensuring that your flat roof is strong and water-tight—since preventing leaks is critical to maintaining the integrity of your business equipment and product inventory. 

It’s likely that your company’s roof also contains many vents, drains and exposed pipelines, which commercial roofers have to work around (and seal properly) during roof installation.
Before you settle on a commercial roofing contractor, take time to contact their references, check their licensing and conduct online research to ensure that you’re hiring a qualified, budget-friendly roofer with your best interests in mind.

Help Grow the Commercial Side of Your Business

Whether a contractor already services the commercial roofing market or is just starting out, growing that side of the business can be quite challenging. Trudel and Sons Roofing understands the pain points and is ready to help with 3 comprehensive tips to overcome the most common obstacles in commercial growth:

• Equipment… a recent survey found that only 40% of contractors had all the necessary equipment to install low-slope roofing and 51% said cost is the greatest barrier. Many companies and suppliers now offer promotional incentive to supplying equipment for contractors, after all, it's great advertising for them! 
• Cash Flow… waiting on the final payment for a commercial project can cause cash flow issues and potentially prevent a contractor from bidding on the next opportunity. Contractor Financial Services (CFS) and other like companies can ensure payment within 24-48 hours to help improve cash flow and enhance a contractor’s ability to bid on more work.
• Web… did you know that 70% of customers research online before making a purchase? Having a strong web presence is crucial, but 45% of contractors surveyed rated their website “Poor” for its ability to promote their commercial business. Know that it's well worth your time and finances as a company to either outsource your web presence or use one of the many free or low-cost web domain assistors to create the optimal user experience.

How to Inspect Your Next Commercial Roofing Project

Commercial re-roof job walks are crucial to assessing the existing roof system. They help you learn the steps needed to remove and install a new roof system efficiently while minimizing occupant impact and maximizing company profits. An improperly assessed building can easily move the project from successful to detrimental. With a fairly simple checklist and an inspection kit, you can make a thorough assessment on the roof and minimize costly hidden pitfalls to help you land the job and gain the trust of the client.

Let’s start with your basic tool kit. Most of the time, you will need to climb a ladder to get onto the roof, and a safe way to transport your tools is to put them in a simple backpack. Here are the supplies you should carry with you during your inspection:

• Camera (video capability is highly recommended)
• Tape measure (25’ is sufficient)
• Measuring wheel
• Roof plan or aerial photo for making notes (Google Earth, for example)
• Note pad and pencil
• Flashlight
• Golf ball (it is important to know where the water goes)
• Laser temperature gun
• Roof core cutter
• Repair medium (such as plastic cement) to temporarily patch a core cut
• Infrared moisture scanner, if possible (hired services are also available)
• Spare batteries for all electronic devices

Once you’re on a roof, you’ll want to make a thorough assessment and minimize your time up there. However, keep in mind that sometimes you only get one shot to access the roof, so make sure to cover everything. Here is the basic information to collect:

• Building location
• Access for equipment, loading, staging, waste removal, etc. (be sure to consider the safety of pedestrians below and other trades working)
• Will the building be occupied or empty during roof installation?
• Safety requirements (fall protection, hazmat abatement, noise, debris, etc.)
• Chronological order and locations of other trades (any trades following roofing may need to take precautions to protect your work, such as stucco or metalwork over a single-ply roof)
• Substrate type
• Roofing system
• Desired warranty term
• Height of all roof decks and parapets (for both safety and loading materials)
• Where and how the system terminates on all planes
• Specifics of immediately adjacent trades (HVAC, plumbing, metal, stucco, etc.), including who covers the details that are often overlooked, such as wood blocking, drains, pipe flashings, metal flashings, etc.
• Establish with the person controlling the schedule (usually the general contractor, consultant, or owner) whether the project will be phased or available all at once.

Once you have all those answers, it is time to walk the roof. Be sure to double check measurements on the roof plan with the measuring wheel. Take time to observe the general condition of the existing membrane as it will give you clues about the maintenance, drainage, environmental conditions, and occupant’s use. Use your golf ball in any area that the drainage is not completely obvious. Observe, measure, count, and photograph every type of penetration, and note whether electrical, gas, and plumbing lines will be disconnected or remain as is. Make notes on your roof plan for yourself, as well as concerns for the superintendent and/or foreman. Helpful tip: take video pans across different areas of the roof. This will allow you to “revisit” the roof in case you missed something on your initial inspection.Visit the inside of the building to look for signs of leaks and try to examine the underside of the roof deck whenever possible.

In commercial construction projects, a small overlooked detail can lead to huge unforeseen costs, so it is critical to cover all the bases. Create a checklist and follow it every time. A successful project starts with a thorough roof walk. Know that you can trust Trudel and Sons to meet all of your commercial roofing standards!