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Low Slope
Carlisle SynTec and Johns Manville TPO and EPDM for churches, schools, offices and warehouses — tear-off or retrofit, staged around your operating hours, and registered for the manufacturer’s No Dollar Limit warranty.
Answers
Low Slope questions
The things homeowners and property managers ask before choosing this system.
What is a low-slope roof?
A roof pitched below about 3:12 — what most people call a flat roof, though it is never truly flat. It sheds water too slowly for shingles, so it needs a continuous waterproof membrane such as TPO, EPDM, or modified bitumen instead of overlapping pieces.
What is the difference between TPO and EPDM?
TPO is a white, heat-welded membrane that reflects sunlight and lowers cooling load, which is why it dominates new commercial work in the South. EPDM is a black rubber membrane, adhesive- or tape-seamed, that handles temperature swings and foot traffic well and often installs cheaper. We install both and have no reason to favor either.
How long does a commercial flat roof last?
A properly installed 60–80 mil TPO or EPDM system runs 20–30 years, with manufacturer No Dollar Limit warranties commonly written at 20 or 30. Drainage decides where in that range you land — ponding water shortens a flat roof faster than age does.
Why does my flat roof leak in heavy rain only?
That pattern usually points to drainage rather than the membrane — blocked drains or scuppers, or a low spot that ponds until water finds a seam or a curb flashing. It is worth catching early, because water that reaches the insulation never dries out and quietly destroys the deck.
Free estimate
Let’s Get Eyes On It.
Roofing, siding, painting, or concrete coatings — start here.
Single-ply membrane for the roofs nobody sees. Tell us about the building and we will bring samples, walk the roof, and put the options in writing — at no cost.
Call (615) 434-3333 or send the form.