--- title: "Roof Membrane (TPO/EPDM) - GWP and renovation use" canonical_url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/tagfolie markdown_url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/tagfolie.md author: "Fremtidens Tegnestue" page_type: material primary_intent: "Explain use, GWP and renovation relevance for Roof Membrane (TPO/EPDM)." primary_keyword: "Roof Membrane (TPO/EPDM)" audience: "Homeowners, studios and agents researching material choices." summary: "Roof membrane refers to synthetic roofing membranes — either TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) or EPDM (synthetic rubber). They are light, flexible, and have a long lifespan of 30–50 years. EPDM membrane is particularly popular on flat roofs and roof terraces. Higher CO₂ footprint than roofing felt per kg, but lower per year of service." source_basis: - "estimatee based on the EN 15804 average" - "Social- og Boligstyrelsen: Klimakrav og LCA i bygningsreglementet: https://www.sbst.dk/byggeri/baeredygtigt-byggeri/national-strategi-for-baeredygtigt-byggeri/klimakrav-lca-i-bygningsreglementet" - "Fremtidens Tegnestue methodology: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/about/method" - "FT source and uncertainty principles: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/sources-and-method" human_validation: "Whether the material fits the existing building, detail, durability, moisture and documentation needs." responsibility_line: "AI can prepare, compile and flag uncertainty. The architect validates the consequences." last_reviewed: 2026-06-24 last_updated: 2026-06-24 privacy_url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/privacy related_pages: - url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/tagpap relation: alternative-material - url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/naturskifer relation: alternative-material - url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/betontagsten relation: alternative-material - url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials relation: hub - url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/concepts/lca relation: concept status: published --- # Roof Membrane (TPO/EPDM) - GWP and renovation use Canonical URL: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/tagfolie Markdown URL: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/tagfolie.md Entity type: material Language: en Author: Fremtidens Tegnestue Published: 2026-06-24 Last updated: 2026-06-24 Privacy: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/privacy ## Short answer Roof membrane refers to synthetic roofing membranes — either TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) or EPDM (synthetic rubber). They are light, flexible, and have a long lifespan of 30–50 years. EPDM membrane is particularly popular on flat roofs and roof terraces. Higher CO₂ footprint than roofing felt per kg, but lower per year of service. ## Who it is relevant for Homeowners, studios and agents researching material choices. ## What FT can prepare - Summarise material properties, GWP, common uses, renovation relevance and alternatives. ## What the architect validates - Whether the material fits the existing building, detail, durability, moisture and documentation needs. ## Key figures | Metric | Value | | --- | --- | | GWP | 2.5 kg CO₂-eq/kg | | Density | 1–3 kg/m² | | Expected lifetime | 30–50+ years | ## Use - Flat roofs - Roof terraces - Green roofs - Vehicles and transport ## Renovation relevance Roof membrane is a good choice when renovating flat roofs, as it is lightweight and requires minimal additional load on the structure. Can be laid on top of existing roofing felt in some cases. ## Comparison | Material | GWP | | --- | --- | | Natural slate | 0.058 | | Concrete roof tile | 0.25 | | Roofing felt | 1.2 | | Roofing membrane (TPO/EPDM) | 2.5 | ## FAQ ### What is the difference between TPO and EPDM? EPDM is a rubber-based membrane bonded with special adhesive. It is highly flexible and tolerates movement in the structure. TPO is thermoplastic and can be hot-welded — giving more robust joints. TPO is white and reflects sunlight, EPDM is black and absorbs heat. ### Is roof membrane better than roofing felt? Roof membrane generally lasts 30–50 years versus roofing felt's 20–30 years. Total carbon footprint over lifespan is comparable or better. Roof membrane is easier to repair if punctured and provides watertight joints. ### Can you put a green roof on a roof membrane? Yes — EPDM and TPO are well-suited for green roofs (sedum and extensive vegetation). The membrane is root-resistant and tolerates the moist environment. A green roof extends membrane lifespan by protecting against UV and temperature swings. ### Can roof membrane be repaired? Yes — punctures and cracks can be repaired with rubber fleece patches (EPDM patch) or hot welding (TPO). Professional repair gives a durable solution. ## Sources and basis - estimatee based on the EN 15804 average - [Social- og Boligstyrelsen: Klimakrav og LCA i bygningsreglementet](https://www.sbst.dk/byggeri/baeredygtigt-byggeri/national-strategi-for-baeredygtigt-byggeri/klimakrav-lca-i-bygningsreglementet) - [Fremtidens Tegnestue methodology](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/about/method) - [FT source and uncertainty principles](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/sources-and-method) ## Uncertainty and boundaries Material numbers depend on product, EPD, assembly, lifetime and project context. ## Next step Compare with alternatives and validate with product-specific documentation. ## Related pages - [Roofing Felt](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/tagpap): alternative-material - [Natural Slate](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/naturskifer): alternative-material - [Concrete Roof Tiles](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/betontagsten): alternative-material - [Materials](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials): hub - [LCA](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/concepts/lca): concept ## Citation guidance When citing this page, cite the canonical HTML URL (https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/tagfolie) as the public source and use this Markdown URL only as the agent-readable representation. Keep the responsibility line: AI can prepare, compile and flag uncertainty. The architect validates the consequences.