About Metal Roof

Steel Roofing

The most widely used metal roofing material in Ontario, steel is highly durable, resistant to extreme weather like snow, hail, and wind, and typically lasts 40 to 60 years or more. It is usually coated with zinc (galvanized) or aluminum-zinc alloys (Galvalume) to prevent corrosion and improve longevity. Steel roofs come in diverse colors and styles, making them a practical and cost-effective choice for Barrie homeowners. Proper drainage is crucial to prevent standing water and corrosion on steel roofs.

Benefits of Metal Roofs in Ontario’s Climate

Longevity & Durability: Metal roofs withstand the heavy snow, ice, and wind common in Barrie and Ontario, resisting fire, pests, rot, and fading better than traditional asphalt shingles.

Energy Efficiency: Metal roofs reflect solar heat, reducing cooling costs in summer and improving energy performance year-round. Some coatings even allow darker roofs to meet energy-saving standards.

Aesthetic Variety: Available in many styles, including steel tiles that mimic slate, shake, or shingles, metal roofing offers homeowners the opportunity to enhance curb appeal along with protection.

Considerations

Cost: Upfront costs are higher relative to asphalt shingles, but the extended lifespan and energy savings often justify this.

Installation: Proper installation by experienced contractors ensures durability, leak prevention, and performance; it’s important in Ontario’s seasonal climate for managing expansion/contraction and drainage.

Maintenance

Metal roofs are generally low-maintenance but benefit from annual inspections and occasional cleaning, especially after storms.

Summary

Steel roofing is the dominant and most cost-effective metal roofing material, offering excellent durability, color options, and longevity fit for Canadian weather. Aluminum and copper provide premium options balancing weight, corrosion resistance, and aesthetic appeal. Selecting metal roofing ensures a long-term, energy-efficient, and visually appealing roof capable of withstanding Ontario’s diverse climate challenges.

If you’re considering metal roofing, consulting with a local expert will help tailor the best material choice, style, and installation method for your home and budget.

TPO roofing (Thermoplastic Polyolefin) is a popular, cost-effective single-ply roofing membrane known for its energy efficiency, durability, and ease of installation, especially suited for flat or low-slope roofs.

What is TPO Roofing?

TPO roofing is a single-layer membrane made primarily from a blend of rubber and plastic polymers—specifically polypropylene and ethylene-propylene rubber—combined with reinforcement fabric and UV-resistant top layers. Delivered in large rolls, typically white and highly reflective, the membrane is heat-welded at the seams, which creates a strong, waterproof bond without adhesives. This makes TPO roofs durable and energy-efficient due to their reflective surface that reduces heat absorption, lowering cooling costs in warmer months 

Advantages of TPO Roofing

Energy Efficiency: The white reflective surface significantly cuts heat absorption, reducing a building’s cooling costs

Cost-effective: TPO tends to be more affordable than other white single-ply options like PVC, both in material and installation costs 

Durability & Weather Resistance: It resists UV rays, punctures, tears, grease, and chemical exposure to a good extent, suitable for various commercial and residential environments 

Ease of Installation: Lightweight and available in wide sheets, installation is relatively fast and involves heat welding for secure seams 

Environmentally Friendly: Recyclable and reduces energy consumption, supporting sustainability goals 

Disadvantages of TPO Roofing

Shorter Lifespan: Typically lasts 15 to 30 years, which is shorter than EPDM (30-40 years) and some PVC membranes 

Quality Variability: Performance depends on the manufacturer; selecting trusted brands is crucial 

Susceptible to Punctures: While tougher than EPDM, TPO can still be punctured more easily than some roofing types 

Installation Sensitivity: Proper heat welding requires skilled professionals; poor welding can cause leaks and seam failures 

Maintenance Needs: White TPO roofs must be cleaned periodically to maintain reflectivity and energy efficiency 

Typical TPO Roof Assembly and Installation

A TPO roofing system typically involves a roof deck (concrete or steel), insulation layers (often polyisocyanurate or polystyrene), a cover board, and the TPO membrane itself. Installation methods include mechanically-attached, fully-adhered, or ballasted systems depending on the project requirements. Seams and flashing are heat-welded for a continuous waterproof barrier 

The installation process involves surface preparation, rolling out the membrane, anchoring, heat-welding seams, and final inspection to ensure integrity 

Maintenance and Repairs

Maintain TPO roofs with semi-annual inspections, surface cleaning (gentle cleaners or low-pressure washing), and prompt repair of any punctures or seam issues. Small repairs can be done using heat welding or specialized adhesives, but large or recurring damage requires professional attention 

Is TPO Roofing Right for You?

TPO roofing is ideal if you want:

A reflective, energy-efficient roofing system that helps reduce cooling costs.

A cost-effective roofing membrane with moderate lifespan (20-30 years).

A roofing solution for flat or low-slope commercial and residential roofs.

A roofing type that offers environmental benefits including recyclability and reduced urban heat impact.

It may be less suited for roofs with heavy foot traffic or continuous ponding water, where alternatives like reinforced PVC or built-up roofing might be preferable 

EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) is a synthetic rubber roofing membrane known for its exceptional durability, flexibility, and resistance to UV radiation and weathering, positioned as an alternative roofing material to TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin) in commercial flat roofing applications.

Definition and Composition

EPDM is a type of synthetic rubber made from ethylene and propylene monomers with a diene component, forming a durable, elastic membrane widely used in flat or low-slope roofing. It is distinct from TPO, which is a thermoplastic material composed of polypropylene and ethylene-propylene rubber blends. EPDM membranes are typically black but may also come in white or gray, while TPO membranes are usually white or light-colored for reflectivity 

Key Characteristics

Durability and Longevity: EPDM roofs are highly durable and can last 20 to 30 years or more with proper maintenance, often exceeding TPO in lifespan due to superior resistance to weather extremes, UV rays, and ozone degradation 

Flexibility: EPDM exhibits excellent elasticity, capable of expanding and contracting with temperature fluctuations without cracking, which helps prevent leaks and seam failures over time, especially in climates with dramatic temperature swings 

UV and Weather Resistance: The high carbon black content in EPDM provides natural UV protection and weather resistance, contributing to its reputation as a robust, low-maintenance roofing option. EPDM performs well in cold climates due to its heat-absorbing nature, which can reduce heating costs during winter 

Installation and Maintenance: 

EPDM installation is simpler and more forgiving than TPO since it uses adhesive or ballasted systems with taped seams rather than heat-welded seams. Repairs are easier and more cost-effective, making it favored for long-term maintenance 

Comparison to TPO Roofing

TPO roofs focus on energy efficiency with a reflective white surface that reduces cooling loads in hot climates. Their seams are heat-welded, creating strong, watertight bonds but requiring specialized installation. TPO membranes typically last 15 to 25 years and provide better puncture resistance and chemical resistance but may degrade faster under intense UV exposure or poor installation quality compared to EPDM 

Climate Suitability

EPDM is often chosen for colder regions with significant temperature variation due to its heat-absorbing and flexible properties, while TPO is preferred in warm, sunny environments for its reflective and energy-saving capabilities 

Summary

In the context of TPO roofing, EPDM represents the durable, flexible, rubber-based alternative roofing membrane with decades of proven performance, especially in cooler climates and when ease of repair and longevity are priorities, while TPO offers a modern, energy-efficient solution more suited to warm climates and new commercial roofing projects requiring heat-welded seams and high reflectivity 

Choosing between EPDM and TPO depends on factors like climate, budget, desired lifespan, energy efficiency goals, and maintenance preferences. Both are reliable single-ply roofing membranes widely used in commercial and industrial flat roofing systems