TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin)

TPO has become the dominant flat-roof membrane on NC commercial buildings over the last decade, overtaking EPDM (rubber) and modified bitumen on most new construction and re-roofing projects. A properly installed TPO system on a flat or low-slope roof can last 20 to 30 years. The heat-welded seams are the critical variable: if the welding temperature is off during install, seams fail within a few years — typically at corners and at drain sumps. Most TPO failures we see are seam failures, not membrane failures.

On a commercial storm claim in NC, TPO damage shows up as wind-lifted seams, punctures from wind-blown debris, and displaced edge-metal at the perimeter. Hail damage on a TPO membrane requires core samples and a calibrated force gauge to document properly — surface indentation alone does not tell the full story, and adjusters unfamiliar with commercial roofing sometimes misread it. When the scope warrants it, we bring a certified commercial roofing inspector on the initial assessment.