When PVC beats TPO
PVC and TPO look alike: both are white single-ply membranes with heat-welded seams. The difference shows up on roofs that see grease, oils or chemicals. PVC generally stands up to those better, and it usually costs more than TPO. On most office, retail and warehouse roofs, TPO does the job. On restaurants, food plants and some industrial buildings, PVC is often worth the extra cost.
| PVC | TPO | |
|---|---|---|
| Seams | Heat-welded | Heat-welded |
| Grease and chemicals | Generally more resistant | Can break down near grease exhaust |
| Cost | Usually higher | Usually lower |
| Often best for | Restaurants, food processing, some industrial roofs | Most commercial roofs |
- Commercial roofingQuoted per projectTPO, coatings and new builds
- Roof inspectionFreeInspection and estimate at no cost
Prices checked October 2026. Every proposal is one all-inclusive price: permits and sales tax built in.
Restaurant roofs
Kitchen exhaust fans put grease on the roof every day. We look at the fans, the curbs and the drains first, and talk with you about grease containment along with the membrane.
How we install a PVC roof
- Deck check. If the old roof comes off, wet or damaged decking and insulation get replaced, not covered.
- Insulation and cover board. A flat, solid base for the membrane.
- Membrane and seams. Attached to the spec, with every seam heat-welded to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Flashing. Exhaust curbs, rooftop units, pipes, walls and drains each get flashed.
- Cleanup. Daily, at our cost, with magnetic sweeps.
What a PVC roof costs
Quoted per project after a free inspection. Size, tear-off, insulation and the number of rooftop units move the number most. Every proposal is one all-inclusive price with permits and sales tax built in.
Payment and warranty
Roofs we contract directly with a building owner are typically billed 75% at signing and 25% on completion. When we’re the subcontractor for a general contractor, we bill through the GC’s pay-application process. You can pay through the online invoice link, by check or in cash.
Our one-year workmanship warranty starts at substantial completion and covers problems from our installation, not normal wear and tear, damage by others or weather. Membrane and material defects fall under the manufacturer’s warranty, which passes through to you.
Contacted White Rock Construction about checking our roof for possible leaks. He came out the same day and checked it out. After sealing some holes he told us it was probably wind that blew up some shingles allowing the rain to come in. Friendly and honest service.
Very professional right down to the detail!
The crew was very professional, fast, and did great work!
5.0 stars from 82 reviews. Read them on Google (71), Facebook (10) and our TrexPro profile (1).
PVC questions
Is PVC worth it over TPO?
On a restaurant or a roof with chemical exposure, often yes. On a typical office or warehouse roof, TPO usually does the job for less.
Can you add PVC to part of a roof?
Sometimes the area around kitchen exhaust is handled differently from the rest of the roof. We’ll tell you after the inspection what makes sense for yours.
Do you install PVC in Illinois?
No. We don’t hold an Illinois roofing license, so all of our roofing is in Indiana.
Need a roof inspected or priced for your building?
Send us a few details and Doug Stoliby, our sales manager, will contact you within one business day to discuss your goals, answer questions and schedule a site visit.
Doug Stoliby, Sales ManagerDoug will reach out within 1 business day.