TPO and Single-Ply Roofing in Savannah, GA

Single-ply membranes cover most of the flat and low-slope commercial roofs around Savannah, from strip centers on Abercorn Street to distribution buildings along the I-16 and I-95 corridors. Call (912) 513-1486 and we will connect you with an independent local commercial roofing contractor who installs and repairs TPO, EPDM and PVC. We are a referral service, not the roofing company.

The three main single-ply membranes

TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin)

TPO is usually white, which reflects sunlight and can lower cooling loads during long Georgia summers. Seams are heat-welded with hot air, creating a seam that is part of the membrane. TPO is the most common choice for new commercial roofs today. Common thicknesses are 45, 60 and 80 mil; thicker membranes cost more but hold up better to UV, foot traffic and wind-blown debris.

EPDM (synthetic rubber)

EPDM has decades of track record and is often the lowest-cost membrane. Most EPDM is black, which absorbs heat, and its seams are glued or taped rather than welded. On older Savannah-area buildings, aging EPDM seams are a common leak source after years of heat and humidity.

PVC (polyvinyl chloride)

PVC is heat-welded like TPO and resists grease, oils and many chemicals. That makes it a strong choice for restaurants with rooftop kitchen exhaust, a big part of the market in a food and tourism city like Savannah, plus some industrial buildings. It usually costs more than TPO.

When single-ply is a good fit

• Flat or low-slope roofs on warehouses, retail, restaurants, offices, schools, churches and apartment buildings
• Buildings where reflectivity and lower cooling bills matter
• Replacing an old built-up (tar and gravel) or modified bitumen roof
• Roofs with many rooftop HVAC units, where welded flashings make clean details

Warning signs on an existing single-ply roof

• Open or peeling seams, especially at laps and corners
• Shrinkage that pulls the membrane tight at walls and curbs ("bridging")
• Punctures from foot traffic, dropped tools or wind-blown debris
• Chalky, cracked or crazed surface from years of UV exposure
• Fastener plates pushing up through the membrane
• Billowing in high wind, a sign of lost attachment
• Grease damage around restaurant exhaust fans on TPO or EPDM

How a single-ply roof is installed

1. Remove the old roof or prepare it for a recover, and repair or replace any rusted deck.
2. Install insulation, often polyiso, with tapered sections to move water to drains and scuppers quickly during heavy rain.
3. Add a cover board for puncture resistance and a better substrate.
4. Attach the membrane: mechanically fastened, fully adhered with adhesive, or induction welded. Perimeter and corner zones get tighter fastening because wind uplift is highest there.
5. Weld or tape the seams and probe-test them.
6. Flash walls, curbs, pipes and drains; install edge metal and coping rated for the building's wind exposure.

Single-ply roofing costs

Rough national-guide installed ranges, including typical tear-off. Get a written quote for your building.

What drives the price

• Membrane type and thickness
• Fastened versus fully adhered attachment, and the wind uplift rating required
• Amount of tapered insulation needed to fix ponding
• Number of rooftop units, curbs, drains and penetrations
• Tear-off depth, wet insulation and deck repair
• Warranty length and type (material only versus full system)

How long it takes

A 10,000 to 30,000 square foot single-ply roof is often finished in one to three weeks of workable weather. In Savannah the bigger obstacle is rain, not cold: summer thunderstorms can stop work most afternoons, and high wind days stop membrane work entirely. Morning dew can also delay adhesive work until the surface dries.

Single-ply in the Savannah climate

Coastal Georgia puts single-ply membranes through strong UV, high heat, heavy rain, humidity and the occasional tropical storm. Ask the contractor about a 60 or 80 mil membrane, a cover board, and the manufacturer's wind uplift rating for your building's exposure. Buildings on open ground near the port, the airport and the marsh catch more wind than those tucked between taller buildings downtown. On roofs near salt water, ask about corrosion-resistant fasteners and plates. A reflective white membrane helps keep rooftop temperatures down from May through September.

Hiring checklist for Savannah commercial roofing

• Georgia contractor license. Georgia requires a state contractor license for many commercial construction jobs, and what applies depends on the type and size of the work. Ask for the license number and verify it with the Georgia Secretary of State's online license lookup before you sign.
• Permits. The City of Savannah, Chatham County and the surrounding cities usually require a permit for commercial reroofing. Ask the contractor to confirm what applies and to pull any permit in their own name.
• Historic district review. If the building is in downtown Savannah's National Historic Landmark District or another local historic district, roof changes visible from the street may need review. Check with the City of Savannah's historic preservation staff before materials are ordered.
• Insurance. Ask for certificates of general liability and workers' compensation insurance, sent directly from the insurance agent.
• Wind rating. Ask what wind uplift rating the roof system carries and how the attachment plan handles the corners and edges, where coastal wind pulls hardest.
• Written scope. The proposal should name the system, thickness, insulation, attachment method, flashing details, tear-off or recover, warranty terms and cleanup.

Maintenance tips

• Inspect twice a year and after every tropical storm or major wind event.
• Keep drains and scuppers clear of live oak leaves, Spanish moss, pine needles and spring pollen.
• Limit rooftop foot traffic; add walk pads on routes to HVAC units.
• Ask HVAC techs not to leave screws, panels or tools on the membrane.
• Before hurricane season, check edge metal and secure loose rooftop items.

Call (912) 513-1486 to reach a local single-ply roofer.

Frequently asked questions

Areas we serve

We connect callers across Savannah, Pooler, Garden City, Richmond Hill and all of Chatham County, Georgia, including:

• Savannah
• Pooler
• Garden City
• Port Wentworth
• Richmond Hill
• Bloomingdale
• Thunderbolt
• Tybee Island
• Wilmington Island
• Isle of Hope
• Skidaway Island
• Georgetown
• Rincon
• Chatham County
• Bryan County

Local pages: Pooler, Richmond Hill, Garden City.

Related services

• Commercial Roof Replacement
• Commercial Metal Roofing
• Roof Coatings & Restoration
• Commercial Roof Repair
• Hurricane & Storm Damage Inspection