EDPM Rubber Roof

EPDM Flat Roof

This flat roofing material is commonly referred to as EPDM rubber membrane or just rubber. EPDM stands for ethylene propylene diene monomer. EPDM has a wide range of other uses. In addition to roofing membrane, EDPM rubber has also been used in making appliance hoses, electrical wire insulation and even the seal around you refrigerator. It is a very durable material that can reset UV and huge temperature swings, making it an ideal roofing material.

It comes in sheets usually ten to twenty feet wide, but is available in rolls as wide as fifty feet. The two most common thicknesses of the membrane are .045 (45mils) or .060 (60 mils). It falls into the category of roofing material known as single ply membrane. That is, it is made from a single sheet of rubber and not multiple layers like the old traditional roofing was. It has withstood the test of time having been in use for over forty years and is the most popular flat roofing material installed in the US. A liquid version of EDPM is being made as well and is an excellent choice in what would otherwise be a difficult installation.

There are three ways to install EPDM. "Mechanically fastened" is fastening the material to the roof deck using the manufacturers hardware. "Fully adhered is using adhesive to adhere the material to the deck. It can either be by applying the adhesive to both the substrate and the rubber or using "self adhering" membrane (commonly referred to as peal and seal). The third way is to use "ballast", usually consisting of river rock or pavers, to hold down the membrane. In all cases there is usually insulation attached to the wood deck of the roof. The purpose of the insulation is to protect the membrane from fasteners and sharps edges.

EPDM is a much less disruptive and messy installation than hot tar built up roof systems.

The life of the roof is determined by a variety of factors. The climate of the area where the roof is installed and the quality of the workmanship are the two biggest factors.

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