Big Green: White TPO vs EPDM and paint

[Charles Brown]

John: Pretty much a ditto in our area to Ralph¹s experience. My impression
is if TPO comes in higher it is due to the roofer¹s personal preference or
good buddy relationship with a distributer pushing EPDM. I will note JP
Stevens has a strong presence here.  Could be that keeps our TPO bids low.

Charles Brown, AIA LEED AP
Brown Architecture Inc.
324 So. Wilmington Street - Box 117
Raleigh, North Carolina 27601
charles at brownarchitecture.net
919.803.3700



From: Ralph Bicknese <rbicknese at hellmuth-bicknese.com>

John:
 
I have not seen any specific studies butŠ. We have found that we can use
(purchase and install) white TPO at the same or lower cost than black EPDM.
We have found this to be the case for the last 5-6 years at least. So, if
the roofing is new white TPO is more cost effective even before a coating is
added to black EPDM. But you can by EPDM with a white coating already
installed.  But its initial cost is higher than TPO.
 
Cheers,
Ralph
 
Ralph Bicknese, AIA, LEED AP
hellmuth + bicknese architects
7211 manchester rd.
st. louis, mo 63143
t: 314.531.9901
f: 314.531.9902
c: 314.265.0517
www.rbicknese at hellmuth-bicknese.com
www.hellmuthbicknese.com
 
h+b is a member of the US Green Building Council and the American Institute
of Architects
 
 
 

From: biggreen-bounces at lists.biggreen.org
[mailto:biggreen-bounces at lists.biggreen.org] On Behalf Of Dean Sherwin
Sent: Monday, May 05, 2008 9:27 AM
To: John E. Beeson; biggreen at lists.biggreen.org
Subject: Re: Big Green: White TPO vs EPDM and paint
 
Are you looking for a cost study or a study of reflective performance?

The comparative cost is going to depend on the labor rates at the location
in question.  
In general, anything that has to be re-done every few years is not going to
be as efficient, as regards cost and resources.  High labor rates will
exacerbate this.
More roofing-experienced people correct me, but I do not think we yet know
the comparitive longevity of  TPO, which is fairly new as a popular roof, as
compared to EPDM .  Given the underlying polymer technology my gut feeling
is still that it is not going to be as long lasting.

Dean Sherwin CPE
Certified Professional Estimator
LEED Accredited Professional
CONSTRUCTION COST MANAGEMENT
3, Cherry Street
PO Box 11
Media, PA 19063-0011

At 08:49 AM 5/5/2008, John E. Beeson wrote:



Is anyone aware of any cost studies that compares the reflective
performance over time of white TPO to EPDM with reflecting paint
(understanding that the paint has to be reapplied every few years or
so).


QUINN EVANS | ARCHITECTS
John E. Beeson, LEED AP
d 734 926 0425
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