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TPO vs EPDM

TPO and EPDM are both single-ply membranes for low-slope roofs, and they differ in what the sheet is made of. TPO is a polyester-reinforced thermoplastic whose seams are fused with hot air; EPDM is cured synthetic rubber whose seams are primed and taped.

Side by side

FeatureTPOEPDM
Warranty availableUp to 30 years from manufacturers, on 80-mil sheetUp to 30 years, depending on thickness and design
Thickness or build45, 60 or 80 mil45, 60, 75 (reinforced) or 90 mil
SeamsHot-air weldedPrimed and taped; adhesive at some details
SurfaceWhite, tan or gray as standard; white reflects mostBlack as standard; white versions made
AttachmentFastened, adhered, induction-welded or ballastedAdhered, fastened or ballasted
Sheet widthUp to 12 ft; 16 ft from one makerUp to 50 ft
Grease and oilElevate says PVC may be better where grease is heavyAttacked by grease and oil

Which to choose

Choose TPO if

  • You want a white roof that stays reflective: white TPO is standard, and makers list about 0.70 solar reflectance after three years.
  • You want seams fused into one sheet that a crew can check by probing every day.
  • The building stays occupied: self-adhered TPO cuts odor and VOCs during installation.

Choose EPDM if

  • The roof sees deep cold: ASTM D4637 requires EPDM sheet to pass a brittleness test at -49°F.
  • The roof is large and open: sheets up to 50 feet wide leave fewer field seams.
  • The building moves: unreinforced EPDM has to stretch at least 300% before it breaks.

More on each system

  • TPO roofing
    How TPO membrane is attached and welded, where it falls short, what earns an FM hail rating, and the warranty terms manufacturers offer.
  • EPDM roofing
    What EPDM rubber roofing is, how it's glued, fastened or ballasted, where it fits, how it handles hail, and the warranties manufacturers offer.

Sources

  1. Elevate (Amrize Building Envelope), UltraPly TPO Roofing Systems
  2. Elevate (Amrize Building Envelope), UltraPly TPO Roofing Systems
  3. Carlisle SynTec Systems, Sure-Weld TPO Reinforced Membrane Product Data Sheet (01.28.26)
  4. Carlisle SynTec Systems, Sure-Weld TPO Reinforced Membrane Product Data Sheet (01.28.26)
  5. Johns Manville, JM TPO Roofing Membrane
  6. USACE / NAVFAC / AFCEC (Whole Building Design Guide), UFGS 07 54 23 Thermoplastic-Polyolefin Roofing (August 2025)
  7. USACE / NAVFAC / AFCEC (Whole Building Design Guide), UFGS 07 54 23 Thermoplastic-Polyolefin Roofing (August 2025)
  8. Johns Manville, JM EPDM NR 60 mil Data Sheet (RS-3005)
  9. Johns Manville, JM EPDM NR 60 mil Data Sheet (RS-3005)
  10. Elevate (Amrize, formerly Holcim Elevate), RubberGard EPDM brochure
  11. Elevate (Amrize, formerly Holcim Elevate), RubberGard EPDM brochure
  12. USACE / NAVFAC / AFCEC (via WBDG), UFGS 07 53 23 Ethylene-Propylene-Diene-Monomer Roofing (August 2025)
  13. USACE / NAVFAC / AFCEC (via WBDG), UFGS 07 53 23 Ethylene-Propylene-Diene-Monomer Roofing (August 2025)
  14. U.S. Department of Defense (via WBDG), UFC 3-110-03 Roofing, with Change 5 (2020)
  15. Carlisle SynTec Systems, Sure-Seal EPDM Dusted Non-Reinforced Membrane Product Data Sheet
  16. Carlisle SynTec Systems, Sure-Seal EPDM Dusted Non-Reinforced Membrane Product Data Sheet
  17. Johns Manville, JM TPO 80 mil Thermoplastic Polyolefin Membrane data sheet (RS-8634)
  18. Johns Manville, JM TPO 80 mil Thermoplastic Polyolefin Membrane data sheet (RS-8634)
  19. Carlisle SynTec Systems, TPO Fully Adhered 25- and 30-year Warranty Submittal Sheet
  20. Elevate (Amrize Building Envelope), UltraPly Platinum TPO System
  21. Elevate (Amrize, formerly Holcim Elevate), Elevate Red Shield Warranty Brochure
  22. Carlisle SynTec Systems, Roofing with Resilience: A Review of 30-Year EPDM Enhancements
  23. Carlisle SynTec Systems, SpecTips: New Extended Warranty Options for EPDM
  24. Johns Manville, Bulletin M25-002: Johns Manville Introduces White EPDM
  25. Johns Manville, JM TPO 45 mil Thermoplastic Polyolefin Membrane data sheet (RS-8632)
  26. ICC Evaluation Service, ESR-1184: Carlisle Ballasted Single-Ply Roofing Systems, EPDM and TPO membranes (revised May 2026)
  27. Johns Manville, JM TPO 60 mil Thermoplastic Polyolefin Membrane data sheet (RS-8633)
  28. Johns Manville, JM TPO 60 mil Thermoplastic Polyolefin Membrane data sheet (RS-8633)
  29. Elevate (Amrize Building Envelope), UltraPly TPO Roofing Systems: membrane
  30. Elevate (Amrize Building Envelope), UltraPly TPO Roofing Systems: membrane
  31. Carlisle SynTec Systems, Sure-White EPDM Membrane Product Data Sheet
  32. Elevate (Amrize, formerly Holcim Elevate), Lowslope Fire Retardant (LSFR) RubberGard EPDM, Technical Information Sheet TIS 103
  33. Elevate (Amrize, formerly Holcim Elevate), Lowslope Fire Retardant (LSFR) RubberGard EPDM, Technical Information Sheet TIS 103
  34. Versico Roofing Systems, Seam Probing
  35. Johns Manville, JM TPO SA - 60 mil

Updated October 2026.