Choosing the best RV roof material is largely a matter of personal preference. Still, there are some factors that are involved in your decision that you should be aware of before you begin shopping for a new roof. Two of the most popular options on the market for today’s RVs are TPO and EPDM. Both of these are synthetic polymers that are designed specifically for use on RVs and mobile homes. They offer low maintenance roofing solutions, but each has its own pros and cons to consider.
Before you can compare the two, you really have to understand a little more about what they are:
EPDM: This synthetic rubber is designed specifically for roofing, and is available in both liquid and sheet form. When used as a liquid, it will dry to a semi-solid finish, offering a flexible watertight seal. EPDM sheets are dried out and cured, which offers less flexibility but a slightly sturdier finish. This material is usually black, although many liquid products dry to a white finish to offer better UV protection and other benefits.
TPO: This synthetic material is a laminated membrane that is relatively cheap. This roofing material can be attached by mechanical screws or adhesion with glue or other roofing adhesives. Details and seams can be heat welded, or they can simply be glued and sealed. This material can also be combined with fiber reinforcements for added strength, but this can also cause more rigidity, leading to difficulty with installation in some cases.
The Best RV Roof Material is Affordable
Since roofing material selection is more about personal preference, what you can afford matters. The costs involved in TPO roofing are higher because the materials are more difficult to manufacture. Additionally, TPO may require additional products like sealants and the fiber reinforcements mentioned above, so you have more to consider than just the cost of the roofing material itself.
EPDM is an economical solution, and in its liquid form it is even more affordable and easy to install. Why does ease of installation matter to cost? If the process is simple, you can replace your own RV roof and save hundreds, if not thousands, on shop or dealership labor costs.
Another factor to consider when it comes down to cost is the thickness. A thicker membrane is going to perform better and provide longer protection, so you should always choose that option if it is within your budget. After all, spending a little more on a better quality roof now, regardless of whether it is TPO or EPDM, is going to save you from more frequent repairs and replacements in the future.
Installation and Maintenance
TPO roofing typically requires hot air welding for the seams, which is a more complex process. Plus, it is going to be more expensive to install because of the need for specialty tools or a skilled welder to complete the work. On the other hand, EPDM can usually be installed even by the most average handy person. Liquid rubber EPDM products are even easier to install, making them a popular choice among DIYers for their ease of installation and lack of maintenance required.
Speaking of maintenance, this is another area where EPDM rubber roofing does the job better. Rubber roofs, when properly installed, will not require much maintenance in the early years. In fact, with regular cleaning and care, a rubber roof can last a long time with minimal or no need for repairs.
A TPO roof, on the other hand, requires regular resealing for the best protection. Like fiberglass, the seams have no other protectant or adhesive like they do on a rubber roof, and therefore rely solely on the protection of a sealant. Applying and reapplying certain products over the years may also cause unnecessary deterioration and damage.
Are you saying sealants such as Dicor for TPO and EDPM: reapplying this product over the years can also cause unnecessary deterioration and damage.
I doubt Dicor would agree that their sealant damages roof membranes.
Depending on the substrate there are some aftermarket products that can cause damage to existing roof. It is best to ask the manufacturer for the MSDS sheet for example xylene can cause roof membranes to swell
thank you
I am using EPDM roofing sheet, installation is very easy and using EPDM roofing as it saves a lot of time for me but since it is black it is very heat absorbing.
yes we have tested our white butyl liquid rubber over the epdm and our thermo readings show it cools the roof down about 45-50 degrees thank you
yes we have noticed that our butly liquid rubber (white) will provide about a 35-50 degree in temp change when applied over an existing black epdm roof
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I have a 40 ft fleetwood prowler 5th wheel. The roof leaked at the transition joint to the plastic nose cone, softening the underlying wood and leaking in.
I plan to replace the wood in that area, can I peel back the exsisting rubber replace the wood, lay the rubber back or is it totally glued? Then use the liquid roll on rubber.
it depends on how it was manufactured if you choose to remove the existing rubber better to get new rubber. from the repair shops we know none will use the same rubber. if you are applying our product over wood it would require two coats and a polyester mesh reinforcement between the coats
thank you
I’m wondering about a roof for my RV. After reading this article, I think I have chosen the perfect coating for my motorhome.
Hi we are glad that our website helped you make your decision. Rvroofmagic has been a proved solution to stubborn roof leaks. Over a 25 yr history in the RV community Thank you
I have a epdm roof , needs to be replaced, they want to send me a diflex 11 roof , because they or out of the epdm material , would I be better waiting till they get the same material I had in the first place
Hi Monique as long as your original roof substrate is in good condition you can use our Butyl Liquid Rubber. the real key to our product is in the chemical drying of the product. it is really the process of our product forming a sequence of chemical bonds to join two polymer chains together. An object made of a cross-linked rubber is one single molecule. Ours which is an oxidative cross-link means it undergoes the cross-linking process when exposed to oxygen. These cross-links tie all the polymer molecules together making them very strong enhancing tensile strength and decrease overall product degradation over the years. you can get more information by downloading our brochure here
https://www.epdmcoatings.com/liquid-rubber.php
thank you
Can I put epdm over exciting epdm that I rolled on 10 years ago
Hi Sergio yes you can. we do suggest the following
Apply a “flash coat” (a very light coat) NO MORE THAN 0.75 gal per 100 square feet. The flash coat DOES NOT require purchasing additional material. Too thick of a flash coat may result in temporary bubbling of the material. A minimum 24-hour cure time is required before proceeding with main coat. Cooler temps or high humidity may retard your cure times. The flash coat must be completely dry before applying the final coat. After September, we suggest at least 36 hours between flash coat and main coat due to environmental conditions. Cooler ambient air temperatures and active dew points play a factor in the flash coat as they will also increase cure times.
Hi. I’m building a truck camper. I’m trying to figure out what would be the thing to use for a water tight roof made of wood. What do you suggest?
Hi if you are going over wood what most of the rv repair shops we have known for years will do is first put over a oil based wood sealer let that dry then two coats of the rvroofmagic
Thank you
Overview, TPO vs Fiberglass RV roofs have many differences such as material, durability, design, and cost,…But both of them are good for RV. Each one has its own benefits, so you can refer and the best one for you.
Hello we actually manufacturer the only liquid Butyl Rubber not fiberglass
thank you