Which system is better - TPO or PVC and does it really matter if you do both with 20 years warranty?

B)

@Mike H. Thanks for the reply. I use Sarnafil and Fibertite pvc a lot and I know these are great materials but I did not realize they will last so much longer. Good to learn sth new! ;)

Ya know, my dad used to say "It's all about the install. A good roofer will give you a good roof with asphalt coated toilet paper, and a bad roofer will screw up the very best of products."

But with that said, I haven't seen too many 30 year old BUR's that didn't need some help getting there.

32 years now, still haven't replaced a Fibertite pvc roof.

25 years of installing TPO, and only a few have lasted longer than 10 years.

Is there a difference? You betchya!!!

Does it matter if they both have 20 year warranties? Not if that piece of paper is all you care about. If they use PVC it will probably last longer than the warranty. If they use Fibertite it will probably last WAY past the warranty. If they use Sarnafil, it has a real good chance of do so too. If they use TPO, tell them to keep that warranty real close.... they can always use it to sop up the water when the leaks start.

We installed as our main product BUR hot asphalt and pitch for over 20 years occasionally we did install EPDM,PVC and TPO We preferred to tear off everything down to the deck, but later on many contractors sold roof overs with the above products, our last installation was in 2006 and today my son specializes in the above singleplys, he travels the USA selling labor only installations, he however has the skills to do any type of system that is available, In fact he and his main mechanic will be flying up north to do a 600 sq tear off and go back with ISO Densdec and a TPO cover, our hot crew would average around 15 sqs per day off/on using the above materials it’s more like 70 t0 80 sqs daily plus a day or so doing the trim out. When a customer looks at the 20 yr warranty that’s all they are interested in warranty and price, he does handle an exclusive line where he can offer the customer a 20 NDL system once explained it’s the system that most of his clients use. The installation of the above singleplys sure is different than the BUR, less equipment and labor in the end there were only a couple of BUR mfg's that would offer a 20yr NDL.

So what's the longest warranty for built-up?

Neither is better than a good built-up roof, but quicker and easier to apply.