Short Answer
Liquid coating renews the roof you already have with a reflective white surface. New TPO replacement means removing the old roof and installing a new single ply membrane instead. Coating gets you the same reflective benefit for less money and less disruption, but only when the existing roof is still structurally sound enough to coat.
Side By Side
Where they actually differ
| Liquid Coating | New TPO | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lower, renews what's already there | Higher, full membrane replacement |
| Lifespan | Extends the existing roof, recoat cycle applies | New rated lifespan, typically 20 to 30 years |
| Disruption | Less, no tear off or new membrane install | More, full tear off and installation |
| Warranty | Follows the Conklin coating system applied | Follows the TPO manufacturer's own terms |
The Real Difference
You don’t have to replace a roof that isn’t failing
TPO's biggest selling point is a reflective white surface that cuts cooling costs. A liquid coating gets you that same reflective benefit, applied directly to the roof you already have, without tearing anything off. If the only reason you're considering TPO is the white reflective surface, and your existing roof is still structurally sound, coating gets you there for a fraction of the cost.
Find out if coating gets you the same result as new TPO.
FAQ
Straight answers
Is TPO's white surface actually more reflective than a coating?
No, both are reflective white surfaces rated on the same solar reflectance scale. [ Placeholder: confirm comparative CRRC ratings between our coating system and standard TPO with Justin before this goes live. ]
When does new TPO actually make more sense than coating?
[ Placeholder: confirm scenarios where TPO replacement outperforms coating with Justin before this goes live, likely when the existing roof doesn't qualify for coating at all. ]
Can coating go over an existing TPO roof?
[ Placeholder: confirm TPO coating compatibility with Justin before this goes live. ]