TPO roof: any more issues vs fiberglass roof?

hello-RV · 01-23-2021, 10:01 PM

TPO roof: any more issues vs fiberglass roof?

Windsport/hurricane uses TPO roof, but some brands use fiberglass roof. any tangible difference? how about long term, like 10 years?

Bob Denman · 01-23-2021, 10:03 PM

Fiberglass is heavier...
But mine is a one-piece design. That just has to be good!

Pete'sMH · 01-24-2021, 01:05 AM

In my personal opinion TPO is simply the better material. It’s lighter, cheaper, less prone to cracking, chalking or deteriorating in the sun and far easier to repair if it’s ever damaged. Given a choice I’d go with TPO over fiberglass. For many years fiberglass was the gold standard but newer products simply are better. Much like copper pipes were the gold standard for residential plumbing for decades. For quite a few years high end homes and their well to do buyers insisted on “nothing less”. But in the end, PEX is simply a better product in every way and eventually it took over entirely. Just my opinion of course.

Bob Denman · 01-24-2021, 01:20 AM

TPO is kind of fragile...

paulwadley · 01-24-2021, 01:45 AM

TPO is easier for the owner to repair/patch over fiberglass.

Paul

Laco · 01-24-2021, 01:52 AM

A one piece fiber glass roof, with cutouts for roof equipment, is in my opinion a better roof, though TPO is certainly not an inferior material. Both require regular inspections and re-caulking as required, but the fiberglass would in theory only fail where caulking around roof accessories is. Having had both, the fiberglass is much noisier during heavy rain, than TPO.

Bob Denman · 01-24-2021, 02:19 AM

You're right about the sound of the rain...

... But I like listening to it!

**EA37TS** · 01-24-2021, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laco

A one piece fiber glass roof, with cutouts for roof equipment, is in my opinion a better roof, though TPO is certainly not an inferior material. Both require regular inspections and re-caulking as required, but the fiberglass would in theory only fail where caulking around roof accessories is. Having had both, the fiberglass is much noisier during heavy rain, than TPO.

X2

I will also add that TPO is more susceptible to damage from low hanging tree branches.

I happen to like the sound of the rain.

Bob Denman · 01-24-2021, 01:53 PM

I just saw an ad for these on the right-hand side of this page...

https://www.creativecomposite.com/roof-vent-collars

Does anybody have any experience with them?

Pete'sMH · 01-24-2021, 06:45 PM

My Winnebago Vista had a fiberglass roof with a stress crack in it. Won’t happen with TPO. Both are good. Get what you feel comfortable with.

Bob Denman · 01-24-2021, 06:55 PM

I've had both... I was never comfortable with going up on the TPO roof.

I'd take my shoes off; but always felt as if I was gonna tear it somehow.

But that was just me...

Campnjoe · 01-24-2021, 09:05 PM

I am a newbie so take it with a grain of salt but I had always heard that fiberglass roofs last longer than rubber ones.

Bob Denman · 01-24-2021, 09:13 PM

As long as you watch those component openings: I agree.

**16ACE27** · 01-24-2021, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Campnjoe

I am a newbie so take it with a grain of salt but I had always heard that fiberglass roofs last longer than rubber ones.

Your post is the only one in this thread that mentions rubber roofs. You do know that neither TPO nor fiberglass is rubber?

Bob Denman · 01-24-2021, 09:34 PM

Actually... TPO feels kind of like rubber.

Grab a loose end, and it even stretches!

Campnjoe · 01-24-2021, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

Your post is the only one in this thread that mentions rubber roofs. You do know that neither TPO nor fiberglass is rubber?

Stolen from another site "The term TPO stands for Thermoplastic Polyolefin. Believe it or not, TPO is actually in a broad family of rubber roofing materials. TPO is a blend of polypropylene and ethylene-propylene rubber. ... It is a synthetic rubber derived from oil and natural gas (ethylene propylene)."

schurch · 01-30-2021, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Campnjoe

Stolen from another site "The term TPO stands for Thermoplastic Polyolefin. Believe it or not, TPO is actually in a broad family of rubber roofing materials. TPO is a blend of polypropylene and ethylene-propylene rubber. ... It is a synthetic rubber derived from oil and natural gas (ethylene propylene)."

> Be aware that when using cleaning products on TPO you need to be careful due to the 'petroleum' makeup. I was told a long time ago to use Spic and Span. Good luck finding that, Hone Depot used to carry it.

Bob Denman · 01-30-2021, 07:43 PM

We bought bought a gallon of TPO roof cleaning "stuff" at our local Camping World...

jr_nicholson · 01-30-2021, 10:32 PM

These are all my personal experiences and reasons for Fibreglass vs. TPO roofs.
I will never have TPO again. They are prone to break down, zero minimize in sound reduction, will need to be repaired or replacing in 15-20 years no matter how well you maintain TPO roofs, side caps are TPO and prone to breakdown. Difficult to keep the roof and side caps clean. TPO will mildew on side caps if not maintained. If the TPO roof needs to be replaced for any reason air-cons, antennas, roof vents, sats etc all have to be removed. And lastly, if you happen to go under a low hanging branch it will easily rip the TPO material....warranty voided and water leaks. Your out of pocket expense can add up quickly.

I have had Fibreglass roofs on 3 DRV's and 3 Newmar fifth wheels. My reasons for Fiberglass are:
They never break down, exterior noise is dramatically minimized like heavy rain, acorns and dates dropping on the roof, very durable, very easy to keep clean, side caps are fibreglass as well, the material never breaks down, will never mildew, never replace, and lastly, if you go under a long hanging branch you will not have any damage to your roof or upper side caps and rails, only 2 seal joints to easily maintain (front and rear), fibreglass roofs are one piece.

Yes, they cost more money, and yes they are slightly heavier but they also add retail value when you go to sell/trade. Benefits out the way TPO....trust me.

Pete'sMH · 01-31-2021, 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jr_nicholson

These are all my personal experiences and reasons for Fibreglass vs. TPO roofs.

I will never have TPO again. They are prone to break down, zero minimize in sound reduction, will need to be repaired or replacing in 15-20 years no matter how well you maintain TPO roofs, side caps are TPO and prone to breakdown. Difficult to keep the roof and side caps clean. TPO will mildew on side caps if not maintained. If the TPO roof needs to be replaced for any reason air-cons, antennas, roof vents, sats etc all have to be removed. And lastly, if you happen to go under a low hanging branch it will easily rip the TPO material....warranty voided and water leaks. Your out of pocket expense can add up quickly.

I have had Fibreglass roofs on 3 DRV's and 3 Newmar fifth wheels. My reasons for Fiberglass are:

They never break down, exterior noise is dramatically minimized like heavy rain, acorns and dates dropping on the roof, very durable, very easy to keep clean, side caps are fibreglass as well, the material never breaks down, will never mildew, never replace, and lastly, if you go under a long hanging branch you will not have any damage to your roof or upper side caps and rails, only 2 seal joints to easily maintain (front and rear), fibreglass roofs are one piece.

Yes, they cost more money, and yes they are slightly heavier but they also add retail value when you go to sell/trade. Benefits out the way TPO....trust me.

Whereas the fiberglass roof on my 2017 Winnebago had a growing stress crack at the shower skylight and was already “chalking” and deteriorating when we traded it after 14 months. I’ll opt for TPO every time. Guess that’s why there are so many options available on the market!

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