Sharp Pencil › Guides
TPO roofing takeoffs: what a commercial single-ply takeoff should include
What should a commercial TPO takeoff include?
Field membrane by area, insulation and cover board by layer, wall and parapet flashing by height, edge metal by profile, drains, scuppers, curbs and penetrations, plus the lines the attachment method adds. Each quantity names its source sheet, and open items go on the Questions tab.
Disclosure: Sharp Pencil sells commercial roofing takeoffs, so we have a stake in this topic.
This is a takeoff checklist, not wind, structural or warranty advice. The design professional, the manufacturer and your bid documents decide the assembly.
Short answer
A commercial TPO takeoff lists every quantity the bid needs, each tied to the sheet it came from. That means field membrane by roof area, insulation and cover board by layer, wall and parapet flashing by height, edge metal by profile, drains, scuppers, curbs and penetrations. The attachment method adds its own lines, such as bonding adhesive, seam plates and fasteners, induction plates or ballast. Anything the drawings leave open goes on the Questions tab.
What goes into a commercial TPO takeoff?
A TPO takeoff is more than the field area. It is every line the bid needs, each tied to a sheet.
| Line | Unit | Where it usually comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Field membrane, by roof area and level | SF | Roof plan, dimension strings |
| Insulation, by layer and thickness | SF, with thickness and layer count | Roof plan, Division 07, details |
| Cover board | SF | Division 07, details |
| Tapered insulation and crickets | Flagged for quote | Taper layout or "by others" note |
| Wall and parapet flashing, by height | LF or SF, with height | Elevations and sections |
| Edge metal and coping, by profile | LF by profile | Roof plan, edge details |
| Roof drains and overflow drains | EA | Roof plan and plumbing sheets |
| Scuppers and downspouts | EA and LF | Elevations, roof plan |
| Curbs and rooftop units, by size | EA with size, curb flashing LF | Mechanical sheets |
| Pipe and other penetrations | EA | Mechanical, plumbing and electrical sheets |
| Walkway pads | LF or SF | Roof plan, Division 07 |
| Attachment lines (see Table 2) | Varies | Division 07, attachment spec, when the set names it |
| Deck type | Note | Structural sheets, when the set names it |
To turn these lines into a number, see pricing a TPO roof. For the miss list before the bid goes out, see the commercial roofing takeoff checklist.
Some lines have their own pages. Edge profiles are on edge metal takeoff. Taper is on tapered insulation takeoff. A membrane over an existing metal roof is on TPO over a metal roof retrofit takeoff. Turning quantities into an order is on takeoff to material order.
Does the attachment method change the takeoff?
Yes. Same roof, same area, different lines.
Read the attachment method in Division 07 before counting anything that holds the membrane down. If the spec does not name it, that is a question, not a guess.
| Attachment method | Lines it adds or changes | Where to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Fully adhered | Bonding adhesive by area, coverage from the product data sheet, applied to both surfaces. Insulation attachment follows the adhered system's pattern, not the mechanically attached one | Division 07, product data sheets |
| Mechanically attached | Seam plates and fasteners along the side laps. Narrower perimeter sheets at the roof perimeter | Division 07, attachment spec, wind design |
| Induction welded | Coated plates and fasteners under the membrane, counted by zone. The same plates hold the insulation | Division 07, attachment spec |
| Ballasted | Stone ballast or pavers by weight, at the rate the ballast design calls for across field, perimeter and corners | Division 07, ballast design |
Zone counts are on wind uplift zones on a roof takeoff. Fastener length follows the stack, as pricing a TPO roof explains.
TPO, PVC or EPDM: what changes at takeoff time?
The field counts the same way. The seams and the small detail lines do not.
| Membrane | Seams | Detail lines to count |
|---|---|---|
| TPO | Hot air welded laps | T-joint patches where the guide calls for them, cut edge sealant on exposed scrim, prefabricated corners and pipe flashings, walkway pads |
| PVC | Hot air welded laps | Same detail lines as TPO, with PVC accessories |
| EPDM | Seam tape with primer | Seam tape and primer by lap length, cover strips and T-joint covers where specified, walkway pads |
For laps and waste, see roll layout and waste.
Sources: manufacturer application guides.
Which sheets does a TPO takeoff read besides the roof plan?
The roof plan gives the area. Much of what the bid needs sits on other sheets.
- Elevations and sections for parapet and wall heights and downspout runs. See parapet membrane takeoff.
- Structural sheets for the deck type.
- Mechanical and plumbing sheets for curbs, penetrations and drains.
- Division 07 for the system, thickness, attachment and insulation.
More on the sheets a roofing takeoff has to read.
What goes on the Questions tab for a TPO set?
When the set is silent, the takeoff says so instead of guessing.
- Parapet or wall height not dimensioned on one side
- Taper layout shown as "by others" or missing
- Attachment method or attachment pattern not named in Division 07
- Drain body or overflow type not shown on the plumbing sheets
- Deck type not confirmed on the structural sheets
- Edge detail not referenced for a run of perimeter
Worked example
Example data, not a real job.
Assume a 200 ft by 150 ft low slope warehouse roof, 60 mil TPO, mechanically attached per the example spec, two layers of polyiso plus cover board. Assume a 3 ft parapet on three sides and a gravel stop on one 150 ft side, 6 roof drains, 4 overflow scuppers, 5 RTU curbs and 22 pipe penetrations.
- Field: 200 times 150 is 30,000 SF (300 squares).
- Insulation: 30,000 SF per layer, two layers is 60,000 SF of board. Cover board 30,000 SF.
- Perimeter: 2 times 200 plus 2 times 150 is 700 LF.
- Parapet flashing: 200 plus 200 plus 150 is 550 LF at 3 ft high.
- Gravel stop: 150 LF. 550 LF plus 150 LF matches the 700 LF perimeter.
- Coping: 550 LF on the parapet runs (example assumption).
- Counts as given: 6 drains, 4 overflow scuppers, 5 curbs, 22 penetrations.
| Line | Quantity | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Field membrane | 30,000 SF (300 squares) | Drawings, 200 by 150 ft |
| Insulation, two layers | 60,000 SF | Example spec |
| Cover board | 30,000 SF | Example spec |
| Parapet flashing | 550 LF at 3 ft high | Example assumption |
| Coping | 550 LF | Example assumption |
| Gravel stop | 150 LF | Example assumption |
| Roof drains | 6 EA | Drawings |
| Overflow scuppers | 4 EA | Drawings |
| RTU curbs | 5 EA | Drawings |
| Pipe penetrations | 22 EA | Drawings |
This set would raise two questions: the taper layout is shown as "by others", and the drain body type is not on the plumbing sheets.
What you get back from Sharp Pencil on a TPO set
The same lines, done for you, from the full set.
Every quantity carries its source sheet and its basis.
Four files: START HERE, marked-up drawings PDF, Takeoff.xlsx with a Questions tab, and the material order list.
Pricing is optional. Send your cost data and we apply your prices to the quantities. Any line you have not priced comes back marked UNPRICED.
We cover TPO, PVC and EPDM roofs, whether fully adhered, mechanically attached, induction welded or ballasted, with taper flagged for quote.
We take off steep slope (standing seam, shingle) and commercial low slope (TPO, EPDM, PVC, mod bit, BUR) from the full set. For the steep slope side of the same building, see standing seam metal roof takeoff and asphalt shingle roof takeoff. Where they meet, see mixed-system commercial roof takeoff.
See commercial roofing takeoff services and a sample takeoff.
FAQ
What is a TPO takeoff?
A list of every quantity a TPO roof bid needs, from membrane and insulation to flashing, edge metal, drains and penetrations, measured from the plan set and tied to the sheet each one came from.
What should a commercial TPO takeoff include?
Field membrane by area, insulation and cover board by layer, wall and parapet flashing by height, edge metal by profile, drains, scuppers, curbs, penetrations, walkway pads, and the lines the attachment method adds.
Does the attachment method change a TPO takeoff?
Yes. Adhered roofs add bonding adhesive. Mechanically attached roofs add seam fasteners and perimeter sheets. Induction welded roofs add coated plates. Ballasted roofs add stone ballast or pavers. Confirm the method in Division 07.
Is a PVC or EPDM takeoff different from a TPO takeoff?
The field and flashing lines count the same way. TPO and PVC seams are hot air welded. EPDM seams use seam tape and primer, so the seam and detail accessory lines change.
Does the takeoff design the tapered insulation?
No. Taper is flagged for a quote from the tapered insulation supplier or manufacturer, and a missing layout goes on the Questions tab.
What does a TPO takeoff from Sharp Pencil cost?
$395 per takeoff. $395 covers a new set of drawings, or a new address. Your first takeoff is free, one per contractor, on a job you're bidding or quoting.
What does Sharp Pencil send back on a TPO takeoff?
Four files: START HERE, marked-up drawings PDF, Takeoff.xlsx with a Questions tab, and the material order list. Every quantity carries its source sheet and its basis. Usually within one business day. Delivered within 48 hours*.
*Clock starts once any questions we send you are answered.
Why send it to us
- We take off steep slope (standing seam, shingle) and commercial low slope (TPO, EPDM, PVC, mod bit, BUR) from the full set.
- Every quantity carries its source sheet and its basis.
- Four files: START HERE, marked-up drawings PDF, Takeoff.xlsx with a Questions tab, and the material order list.
- Pricing is optional. Send your cost data and we apply your prices to the quantities. Any line you have not priced comes back marked UNPRICED.
- Usually within one business day. Delivered within 48 hours*.
- A plan set you send us will never be used to compete with you, and plan sets are deleted whenever you ask.
- First takeoff free, one per contractor, on a job you're bidding or quoting.
Residential is not our focus today, but ask if you have a job in mind.
*Clock starts once any questions we send you are answered.
Try it on a job you are bidding
Get your first takeoff free · $395 per takeoff · See a sample takeoff
The Sharp Pencil team