Licensed Commercial Roofers Serving Sarasota, Bradenton, and Surrounding Areas

AKVM is a highly respected commercial and industrial roofing leader in West Central Florida, and offers complete commercial roofing services, including the installation and repair of single-ply roofing. Our trained roofing professionals deliver high-quality commercial roofing services you can count on. We stand behind our work with a best-in-class warranty.

Single-Ply Roofing Systems

Single-ply roofing offers excellent performance and cost efficiency, making it a popular option for commercial and industrial buildings. A single-ply roof refers to a type of roof that uses one layer of a sheet of material manufactured in a plant. The material is sold in rolls and can be made from several types of membranes. Some of these membranes include TPO, Modified Bitumen and EPDM. Each type of membrane has different characteristics and installation processes. All single-ply roofing membranes are seamed together either by adhesives, fasteners or heat fusing. The type of membrane chosen for a particular single-ply roof depends on the budget and the climatic conditions of the project.

Popular Types of Single-ply Roofs

TPO - Thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) is the newest type of single ply roofing material which has become very popular in the commercial roofing industry. TPO comes in a variety of widths. In roofing, membrane materials are measured in mils, 1 mil is equal to 0.001 inches, and the thicker the material is more resistant it is to punctures. TPO widths range from 45 - 80 mils. TPO is seamed together using heat fusing. TPO roofs are white and reflective which make it ideal for Florida buildings looking to keep their cooling bills low. The typical life expectancy of a TPO roof is 15 - 20 years.

Modified Bitumen - Modified Bitumen is a membrane made from asphalt with a layer of granular ceramics embedded over the top. The membrane can be applied in multiple layers, with a 2-3 layer approach being the best option. However, even as a single ply roof there are many benefits of modified bitumen. Modified bitumen is seamed together by high heat which prevents separation. Modified bitumen is designed to be flexible in cold and hot weather. You never have to worry about it shrinking or contracting and it comes in a variety of colors to suit environmental needs. At over ⅜ of an inch thick, the layered form of modified bitumen can withstand heavy foot traffic and is very resistant to tears and punctures. This type of roof material can be applied over an existing roof, cutting the cost of a new roof by reducing labor. First introduced in the 1960s, it is an excellent roofing option with a life expectancy of over 40 years.

EPDM - Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) is an older technology that is in the process of being phased out by professional roofers. EPDM is the same type of material used to make inner tubes, and the thin 40-45 mil rubber membrane is seamed together using a glue-like adhesive. Unfortunately, this form of seaming makes it vulnerable to leaking. EPDM should be installed only by very qualified roofers to ensure proper closure. EPDM is typically black in color which makes it absorb heat. This quality makes it best suited for colder climates, which is one of the reasons that it is not a popular roofing choice for Florida buildings. The thin nature of this membrane makes it very prone to punctures and tears from either blown materials that land on it or even during the installation process. It is very easy to tear this membrane by walking on it, which means that during installation roofers must place rubber mats on the surface of the roof to avoid stepping on the EPDM. Storm debris or other materials that find their way onto this roof can damage it very easily. The UV rays have also been known to degrade the adhesive qualities of the glue, causing seams to come apart and water to infiltrate the roofing system. Because of the various inferior qualities of EPDM and better alternatives available, AKVM does not install new EPDM roofs.

Which One is Right for You?

Now that you know the pros and cons of the types of single-ply roofs, you should have a better idea of which one you want on your building. If you need additional information or have any questions, we are happy to help. We offer free in-person evaluations and estimates.

Free Roof Evaluation & Estimate

Quality Roof Pledge:

We pledge to work hard, work safe & work smart.

The roofing team at AKVM are dedicated to installing quality single ply membrane roofs that meet or exceed the standards of the manufacturers we represent. We utilize the best equipment available and train our staff to ensure the highest levels of technical expertise in the single ply roofing industry.