Installation Details · FAQ

TPO or EPDM for a commercial flat roof in Illinois?

TPO has gained ground in the last decade. The white surface reflects 80% of solar heat (versus 6% for black EPDM), which drops summer cooling load measurably on a flat-roofed commercial building. TPO also welds at seams rather than gluing, creating a stronger seam that resists tear-out at fasteners.

EPDM still has advantages: longer history (50+ years of installed performance versus TPO’s 25), better cold-weather flexibility, and lower cost ($4.50 to $6.50 per sq ft versus TPO’s $5.50 to $8.00). For a Madison County warehouse or strip center, Trill recommends TPO on new construction and major replacements; EPDM on quick re-cover jobs and projects where the cooling-load math doesn’t favor a white surface (north-facing slopes, fully shaded buildings).