Call (678) 365-3138
A roof with multiple types shouldn't mean that you'll have multiple problems. A combination of TPO and shingles can also deliver some good performance when you need to have flat and sloped coverage.
This mixed-material strategy has changed some commercial buildings for the better. Three things help choose success - the material set, expert installation techniques, and the transitions between surfaces that matter. I'll also look at durability ratings, maintenance requirements, and installation costs to help you make well-educated decisions.
The data shows the success rate of mixed roofing materials (and it works). Let's take a look!
Feasibility And Benefits
Those tough combinations of flat and sloped sections can throw you for a loop when you're picking out your materials. That's why a combination of TPO and shingles could just be your best answer.
TPO works on flat surfaces because you can get a waterproof shield for your building - this tough material won't break down even when water pools up on top of it. You won't need to worry about tears or holes, which makes it a safe choice when maintenance teams need rooftop access to manage problems.
Asphalt shingles work well on those sloped sections. The natural tilt helps the water to flow right off your building. You can save some money since these shingles cost less, and the installation is easier on pitched areas.
Team that up with modern and reflective shingles on your slopes. The reflective surface of TPO can help to slash your cooling costs by sending the sunlight right back where it came from. You might watch those energy bills shrink faster than you would expect them to.
These materials also deliver reliable and tough results over time. Your TPO membrane should stay strong for about 20 years without too much fuss over maintenance. Quality shingles can last just as long - especially if your local weather patterns aren't too extreme for the materials.
When building owners sometimes feel nervous about mixing different types of roofing materials, the areas where the materials meet can raise red flags about leaks. Their anxiety about it makes total sense. But here's the good news - skilled roofers know how to create leak-proof transitions between the TPO and shingle sections of a roof.
Each manufacturer sets their own rules and terms for their warranties. When you install roofing, businesses now give you system warranties that can protect your whole roof setup for added security.
The first costs could be higher when comparing this to single-material options. Think about the long-term. A more strategic material placement and better energy savings could help to put some real money back in your pocket down the road.
Durability And Weather Resistance
You can get the best of the worlds by mixing TPO and shingles on your commercial roof. TPO delivers some exceptional durability for the flat sections, and shingles protect and also beautify the sloped areas. Just like wearing layers for different weather conditions, each roofing material plays its own big part.
TPO roofing sections will stand up against nearly anything that Mother Nature throws at them. The material resists tearing, works with extreme temperatures, and shrugs off heavy rainfall without any problems. Building owners are surprised when their TPO roofs perform without an issue, even after two decades.
Premium architectural shingles can take your sloped sections to another level. Modern versions will stand up against hurricane-force winds and extreme storms. These shingles also add some striking curb appeal that TPO alone can't deliver.
The climate in your area determines how well this combination performs. TPO sections work best in sunny regions by reflecting harsh UV rays and resisting chemical exposure. Your shingles will give you better protection from driving rain and high winds in exposed areas.
The quality of the installation determines how successful a hybrid roofing system can become. TPO that's poorly installed will shrink and create weak places over time. Sloppy shingle work can cause leaks and wind damage.
Property owners eventually realize through experience that low-quality installation can give you some expensive repairs later on. Your roofing investment is backed up by tough manufacturer guarantees. TPO usually carries warranties for anywhere from 20 to 25 years.
Premium architectural shingles often extend coverage for as long as 30 years. The energy-saving potential is what sets this combination apart. TPO's reflective surface bounces sunlight away like a mirror, naturally cooling your building. Traditional shingles absorb the heat, but newer models include cooling technology that also cuts back on energy costs.
Energy Efficiency Gains
Ever touched a dark-colored roof on a hot summer day? Your hands would burn from the intense heat. TPO roofing helps to solve this problem for your commercial building because it has an efficient design.
TPO roofing can give you some good shielding for your building. The very bright and white surface actually sends sunlight bouncing right back into the sky instead of letting it heat up your building like those old dark roofs do. This easy feature leaves everyone inside feeling way more comfortable when the weather heats up.
You'll save some money on energy with TPO roofing. Since your building stays naturally cooler, you won't need to blast the AC as much at all. Business owners just like you have watched their energy costs drop after making the switch to TPO.
That's also the case in extra sunny locations. TPO shows its high-performance features through its Energy Star certification. The material goes hand in hand with reflecting more sunlight than regular roofing does.
So you're also going to help cut back on those unpleasant heat islands that make cities feel like ovens in the summer. Your location plays a big part when you're thinking about TPO roofing. In chillier areas, you might also want to remember to watch heat retention instead of reflecting it all away.
The weather where you live should help guide what kind of roof you pick. The airflow determines how well your TPO roof works. Heat can build up under practically any roof without enough ventilation, so even TPO's reflective surface still needs enough air movement for its job.
Reflective shingles stand apart from TPO roofing in effectiveness. TPO works way better because it's one easy piece and uses heat-fighting materials. The design of it means your roof will work well for years to come.
Your building's situation and local weather patterns affect which roofing option to choose. Look at what you're spending on cooling and how much direct sunlight hits your roof throughout the day.
How Should You Prevent Leaks?
The timing of sealing plays a big part when you combine TPO and shingles on your commercial roof. TPO membranes can create a strong and waterproof seal through heat-welded seams. These bonds are often even stronger than the actual membrane itself, which makes them a good choice for your commercial building needs.
Water will always try to find its way into your roof - especially around the sections where different materials come together. Those annoying leaks that you've spotted near chimneys or skylights happen for this exact reason. That's why flashing and edge treatments matter when you're mixing TPO and shingles together.
Metal drip edges are a big part of protecting your roofing investment. These pieces help to direct the water straight into your gutters instead of letting it sit around. Your fascia boards could suffer serious and permanent rot damage if you skip this part.
You'll need to focus some extra attention on the areas where TPO meets shingles during installation. An experienced roofer works to use flashing methods to create completely watertight seals at these points. They also add ice and water shields beneath your shingles to be an extra barrier against sneaky moisture.
Small installation mistakes now can turn into serious problems later. A seemingly small gap in your flashing might not sound concerning. But just wait until those heavy storms roll through. That small space gives water the room it needs to destroy your roof deck.
Mixed roofing systems need extra close attention during regular maintenance. Your best bet is to check those material transitions at least twice every year. Keep your eyes peeled for standing water after rainfall, too, since these puddles can usually mean you have drainage problems that need tackling.
These hybrid systems work best when installed well by real pros. A qualified roofer knows the techniques for heat-welding TPO seams and for creating perfect material transitions. Every single detail counts when you're working to stop water from sneaking into your building.
Installation Steps And Transitions
You need a good plan when mixing different roofing materials for your commercial project. The latest roof will need an inspection to check for damage. You should look for leaks or vulnerable places that could bring up problems down the road.
Proper roof preparation will improve your success. The surface will need some cleaning and the removal of old roofing materials.
A clean surface will help keep those problems away. People sometimes rush through this part to save some time. But that's asking for problems later on.
TPO membrane will need some careful installation. The membrane should sit there for about 30 minutes after you roll it out. This gives the material time to flatten out and removes wrinkles that could affect its look or performance.
Contractors sometimes become impatient and want to skip ahead. But taking your time with this part helps.
The areas where TPO meets the shingles need some extra attention. You'll want to create a protected and waterproof seal between these different materials with flashing. Water can slip through even small gaps, so be extra careful with your work and use reliable materials in these places.
TPO works way better on flatter areas, while shingles need steeper angles to drain water. Incorrect slopes may bring you pooling and leaks. Most local building codes also need slopes for each type of material.
TPO seam welding needs skill and the right tools. You'll need steady heat and pressure while you work to create strong waterproof connections. Look for a small bead of melted material along the seams. That's a sign that you've made a strong bond between those sections.
Your drainage setup makes a difference in these installations. Water needs some clear paths to flow off your roof - especially where different materials meet. Poor drainage will leave you standing water, which puts extra wear on your TPO and shingle sections.
Example Use Cases
Your building needs some different roofing services when you have multiple roof slopes, and that's a fact. A commercial property owner in Minnesota found this out firsthand while battling some regular leaks on a building with flat sections and sloped sections that were cut back.
After talking to a few roofing experts, the owner picked out a two-part answer. They chose to put some TPO membrane on the flat areas where water pooled. They used fresh asphalt shingles on the steeper parts. This combination strategy worked well with how the building was designed and built. The harsh Minnesota weather put this combo to the test, and it passed with flying colors.
The TPO stayed flexible and moved water away during freezing temperatures. The shingles handled everything else that Mother Nature threw at them. The owner had an unexpected bonus, too - the building started using far less energy in the process.
The reason became clear to everyone pretty fast. The white TPO reflected sunlight better, and the dark shingles absorbed heat in winter. This setup meant that the building's heating and cooling system didn't have to work as hard. The numbers don't lie, and energy costs dropped about 20% during the first year.
The good connection between these materials made this answer work. Expert roofers added some water barriers where the two materials came together. They used metal flashing along with waterproof membranes so water couldn't sneak through between the TPO and the shingles.
Now, five years later, this hybrid roof is performing its job without much fuss. The TPO still looks bright and clean, while the shingles have been aging normally without causing any problems. This innovative answer became the favorite fix for this tough roofing situation.
Other building owners in the area have seen this success. They have similar buildings with roof slopes, and they want better options, too. Local contractors are skilled with these hybrid installations, though they mention that knowledge and care are needed to pull them off correctly.
Metal And Shingle Alternatives
You have a few roofing material options past TPO for your commercial building. Most building owners like to jump straight to TPO because they think it's the only modern choice. But there are other materials that could also be a better choice for your preferences.
Different roofing materials can sometimes work beautifully together. You could put some metal panels on your steeper slopes and TPO on the flatter areas in order to use what each material does best. Your building also tends to stay cooler since metal mixes with the sunlight better than other materials.
Metal roofs can give you some features for your building. They last way longer than traditional roofing materials and do hold up well in harsh weather. You'll pay more up front compared to TPO or regular shingles.
Rain and hail also create more noise on metal roofs - but insulation helps to cut back on that noise. Each material will need its own installation strategy.
The combination of different roofing materials will require careful planning for installation. You'll also need some contractors who know their work and have expertise in dealing with multiple materials.
Different materials manage some weather conditions in their own ways. TPO works against UV rays and fights mold growth. Metal panels manage strong winds and heavy snow.
The combination of these strengths makes sense for protecting your building over time. It matters how you blend different materials together. TPO for flatter areas paired with shingles for pitched sections can give you a functional combination. Success also comes from finding the right conditions for each material.
Protect The Roof Over Your Head
Your roof needs to look and work well, too. The colors of the different materials have to complement each other and match your building's exterior. Better decisions about these facts will stop your roof from becoming an eyesore tomorrow.
You want your property to look great for the right reasons. Your roof's long-term performance can depend on professional installation. Experienced pros know roofing materials from top to bottom, and they'll make sure everything fits well together. Take some time now to review the contractors' past projects and ask them about their experience or plan for maintenance.
A little extra effort now will save you from expensive problems tomorrow.
We at Colony Roofers bring expert roofing services to homes and businesses across Georgia, Florida, and Texas. Your investment and safety deserve nothing but the best. Let our team manage your roofing requirements. Our pros are ready to give you a free inspection and treat your roof.
Expert advice is only a phone call away for reliable repair or installation services. Contact us to get started on your roofing project!
