TPO Roofing System

Markit Roofing installs commercial TPO roofing systems across Alberta. We deliver heat-welded, energy-efficient flat-roof membranes built to handle harsh prairie winters, summer UV, and demanding business conditions backed by manufacturer warranties and certified installation crews you can trust.

A TPO Roofing System gives flat and low-slope commercial roofs a bright, reflective single-ply membrane that turns back summer heat and seals tight at every welded seam. Markit Roofing installs it to trim cooling costs and keep your building dry through Alberta weather.

TPO, or thermoplastic polyolefin, is a single-ply roofing membrane prized for its reflective white surface and hot-air-welded seams. Rather than relying on adhesive tapes or torches, TPO sheets are fused together with heat, forming a continuous bond that resists leaks far better over time. Its light-coloured top reflects solar energy rather than absorbing it, so the roof and the rooms below stay cooler in summer. That mix of clean seams and energy savings has made TPO one of the most popular commercial roofs in North America.

Our crews install, repair, and re-roof TPO for warehouses, retail, and office buildings across Calgary and Edmonton. We weld every seam to spec, detail the flashings and penetrations, and pressure-check the finished roof before we leave. Whether the job is new construction or a replacement, we build TPO roofs that hold up for decades.

What is a TPO Roofing System?

A TPO Roofing System is a single-ply commercial membrane made from thermoplastic polyolefin, a blend of polypropylene and ethylene-propylene rubber. It ships in wide rolls and is laid across flat or low-slope decks, then joined with a hot-air welder that fuses neighbouring sheets into one continuous surface. Because the seams are melted together rather than glued, they rank among the strongest in the single-ply world. The membrane is usually white, giving it a reflective, Energy Star-style finish that holds down rooftop temperatures and cooling bills on sunny Alberta days.

Owners gravitate to TPO because it pairs a low installed cost with real operating savings. The reflective surface can reduce summer cooling demand and may qualify for energy rebates, while the welded seams sharply reduce the leak risk that plagues older roofs taped or mopped. It shrugs off grease, ozone, and ponding, and it stays flexible enough to absorb a building’s movement. For commercial owners who want a clean, efficient, low-maintenance roof with a 20- to 30-year horizon, TPO is hard to beat on value. Few single-ply systems offer the same blend of energy savings and easy upkeep.

Types of TPO Roofing System

TPO is not installed just one way. The membrane can be fastened down, glued, weighted with ballast, or bonded with hidden plates, and the right choice depends on roof height, wind exposure, the deck below, and the amount of rooftop traffic the building sees. Picking the right attachment, along with the right insulation beneath it, is what keeps a TPO roof flat, tight, and wind-resistant throughout its service life.

Mechanically attached systems fasten the membrane through the insulation and are suitable for large, exposed roofs that need fast coverage. Fully adhered systems glue the sheet to the roof for a smooth, wind-resistant finish; ballasted roofs hold it in place with stone; and fleece-backed or induction-welded options add strength or hide the fasteners entirely. Our team weighs the wind zone, budget, and deck type before recommending the build for your particular roof.

Our Process

Roof Inspection and Planning

Before we quote a TPO roof, we get on the deck and assess what is actually there. The survey covers slope, drainage, the existing roof layers, insulation moisture, and the state of every flashing, curb, and drain. We pair that with how the building runs, its energy goals, and the budget, because a cool, reflective TPO roof only pays off when the attachment method and insulation are matched to the site.

The findings shape the whole specification: membrane thickness, fastening pattern, and insulation value. Mapping this out carefully avoids surprises mid-project and gives the finished roof the best chance of delivering its full energy and waterproofing benefits over the years ahead.

Surface Preparation

With the plan set, attention turns to the substrate on which the TPO will lie. We clear the old surface, deal with any wet or damaged insulation, and lay a smooth, even layer of insulation or cover board so the membrane sits flat. A clean, dry, level base matters more for TPO than many owners expect, because lumps and debris telegraph through a thin single-ply sheet and can stress the welds.

We also confirm that the roof drains as it should, since standing water shortens the life of any flat roof. Once the deck is sound and tidy, and not before, we begin rolling out membrane, which protects both the warranty and the long-term performance of the system.

TPO Membrane Installation and Review

Installation starts by positioning the TPO sheets and securing them with the chosen method, and then the signature step goes in: hot-air-welded seams. Our technicians run automatic and hand welders along every lap, checking weld strength as they work, and wrap the membrane neatly up walls, around drains, and over penetrations with welded flashings.

When the field is finished, we probe the seams and review the whole roof, correcting anything that falls short of spec before sign-off. You receive plain care instructions, and because TPO requires so little upkeep, keeping it performing usually means no more than seasonal cleaning and a yearly inspection.

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What can you expect from us?

Choose Markit Roofing for a TPO project, and you get certified crews who weld to manufacturer spec and respect both your schedule and your tenants. We arrive when we say we will, keep the work zone safe and clean, and hand back a reflective, energy-smart roof under a warranty that means something. Quality is checked at every stage, not just at the finish.

Durable

A correctly welded TPO roof resists UV exposure, punctures, and chemical exposure, and typically lasts 20 to 30 years. The fused seams remove the weak adhesive joints that tend to fail first on cheaper single-ply roofs.

Safe

TPO’s welded laps and secure fastening hold firm under Alberta wind and snow, and many membranes carry fire and wind ratings that meet commercial code requirements. The reflective surface also keeps rooftop work areas cooler for crews.

Dependable

We install to certified procedures, test the welds we make, and back the roof with solid warranties, so a Markit TPO roof keeps reflecting heat and shedding water reliably for years.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Why are TPO seams considered so strong?

They are joined with a hot-air welder that melts adjacent sheets into a single piece, and that fused bond is usually stronger than the glued or taped seams found on many other single-ply roofs.

2. Does a TPO roof really lower energy bills?

Its reflective white surface bounces back a large share of solar heat, which can ease summer cooling demand and, in some regions, qualify the building for energy rebates.

3. How long should a commercial TPO roof last?

Most well-installed TPO roofs serve 20 to 30 years, with thicker membranes and careful welding sitting at the higher end of that range.

4. Can TPO go over my existing roof?

In many cases, yes. If the deck and insulation are in good shape, laying TPO as an overlay avoids the expense and downtime of stripping the old roof first.

5. Is a TPO roof hard to maintain?

No. A reflective TPO roof mainly needs occasional cleaning to keep its surface working and a yearly check of the seams and flashings.