All Phase Construction USA | Licensed: CCC-1331464 (Roofing Contractor) & CGC-1526236 (General Contractor) | Phone: (754) 227-5605 | 590 Goolsby Blvd, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Single-Ply Commercial Roofing — TPO, PVC, EPDM

Single-ply membrane roofing is the dominant commercial flat-roof category in South Florida. All Phase Construction USA installs and recovers TPO, PVC, and EPDM single-ply systems on commercial buildings, condominium associations, and modern flat-roof residential homes throughout Broward County and Palm Beach County.

The three single-ply systems and where each fits

TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin)

The current South Florida market default for new commercial flat-roof installations. White-surfaced for solar reflectivity (lower cooling load), heat-welded seams (no adhesive failure mode), and 60-mil membrane thickness as the residential / small-commercial standard. Typical service life is 20 to 25 years on a well-installed system. TPO is what we recommend for most new commercial flat-roof projects unless a specific reason pushes us elsewhere.

PVC (polyvinyl chloride)

Higher-grade single-ply system with superior chemical resistance — the right choice when the building has rooftop kitchen exhaust, restaurant grease venting, or chemical exposure that would degrade TPO over time. PVC is also fire-rated higher than TPO. Cost is meaningfully above TPO for the same membrane thickness, but the lifespan delta justifies it for the right application.

EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber)

The legacy single-ply system. Black rubber membrane, mechanically fastened or fully-adhered. Still common on existing commercial roofs and well-suited to recover work where the existing system is intact but at end-of-service-life. New EPDM installations have largely given way to TPO except in specific cold-cycle or chemical-exposure applications, neither of which is a meaningful South Florida concern.

HVHZ wind compliance for single-ply systems

Broward County is a legal High-Velocity Hurricane Zone. Every single-ply installation in Broward must use a Florida Notice of Acceptance (NOA)-approved membrane, an NOA-approved fastening or adhesion system, and NOA-approved edge metal. The permit package references each NOA. Palm Beach County is not legally HVHZ but the prevailing flat-roof spec is the same NOA-approved system on either side of the county line.

When single-ply is the right answer

  • Modern flat-roof residential homes in Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Wilton Manors — typically TPO with full tapered insulation for proper drainage.
  • Strip-mall and small-office commercial — TPO is the default; PVC if the tenant mix includes restaurants.
  • Condominium common-area roofs — TPO recover over the existing modified-bitumen system, staged building-by-building so residents keep using the parking and walkways.
  • Industrial / warehouse — TPO or PVC depending on rooftop exposure profile.
  • HVAC / equipment-heavy roofs — PVC for chemical resistance around exhaust stacks.

Single-ply versus modified bitumen

Modified-bitumen (mod-bit, hot-applied or cold-process) is the older flat-roof category and still in service on a large number of South Florida buildings. Modern single-ply systems generally offer easier installation, better seam reliability (heat-welded vs. torch-down), and lighter weight. A common path forward on aging mod-bit roofs is a TPO recover with new tapered insulation, rather than a full tear-off.

Schedule a commercial flat-roof inspection

Call (754) 227-5605 for a free in-person commercial flat-roof inspection. We document membrane condition, drainage performance, edge-metal integrity, and existing penetration detail. Written recover-vs-replace recommendations with photos. Companion service: flat roofing systems (TPO/PVC) for residential applications.