Understanding the rise of TPO in roofing

By Jesse Sanchez. 

How a dominant roofing material evolved and captured the industry’s attention.   

In this Lunch and Learn session from RoofersCoffeeShop®, host Heidi J. Ellsworth discusses insights on TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin) roofing, with expert Kaare Kurtzke from Johns Manville. Kaare explores the history, advantages and market dominance of TPO, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of this popular roofing material. 

“When we start looking at market share where TPO is, it essentially went from zero, very small numbers in the early 2000s. What you'll see is it ramps up very quickly to where we are at today, around 53% of the total low slope roofing market. It went from very little to a dominant force right away,” Kaare says, expressing its rapid ascent in the industry. Developed in the late 80s and introduced to the U.S. market in the early 90s, TPO has become the preferred choice for many contractors due to its durability, energy efficiency and ease of installation. 

A key factor behind TPO's popularity is its heat-weldable nature, which allows for strong, durable seams that contribute to the roof's overall longevity. “We can make a permanent seam where two layers of TPO overlap; water is not going to get through that,” Kaare explains, representing the material’s reliability. 

Reflectivity is another significant advantage, particularly in hotter climates. “Using that white membrane compared to a black membrane, you’re going to reflect a lot of heat away,” Kaare notes. This energy-saving feature makes TPO an attractive option for large commercial buildings and warehouses in sun-soaked regions like California, Texas and Florida. 

The conversation also touches on the evolution of TPO, such as the introduction of reinforcement scrims and variations like TPO FleeceBACK, which enhance the material’s performance in different environments. As Kaare states, these innovations continue to position TPO as a leading choice for contractors seeking efficient, cost-effective roofing solutions. 

Check out the learning guide and Watch the Lunch and Learn to discover more about the specifics of TPO roofing! 

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