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Rubber roofing, also known as EPDM rubber roofing, has a wide range of benefits. If you're starting a flat roofing project, want to renew an existing flat roof system, have commercial flat roofs that need covering, or are looking into EPDM for a pitched roof, read on to find out why a rubber roof could be the best decision you ever made.
Roofing EPDM is a high-performance roofing material and is made of a mix of recycled tires, sawdust, and slate dust. It usually comes in pre-rolled sheets but relatively new development is rubber roof shingles, which look like slate tiles. EPDM flat roofing systems are the most commonly known, but rubber roofing can also be installed on a pitched roof. It comes in multiple thicknesses depending on the project at hand.
Rubber is one of the most popular options for flat roofs. Firestone rubber cover EPDM comes from an American company and it is rubber-polymer based and very durable and tough. SealEco Fleece is an option that is great for high traffic areas and for green roofs.
There is no denying that EPDM roofing is often much cheaper than its main competitors, including asphalt shingles. There are two main reasons for this. First, the material itself is cheaper to buy. And the labour costs involved are much lower because of the easy installation. Using a certified installer and roofing supplies will help you to get a professional finish and be more sure that your EPDM rubber roof will last for as long as possible.
EPDM flat roofs are highly durable. Because the membrane doesn't have any seams, there is little opportunity for water to seep underneath the rubber roofing membrane and cause lifting and damage to the roof structure underneath.
It is also highly weather-resistant, even in extreme weather conditions (you should install drain outlets to help with runoff). The rubber roofing membrane provides a watertight seal that protects against heavy rain. It is also UV-resistant and can withstand high winds and hail. Liquid systems can be even more watertight again.
Rubber roofs are highly fire-resistant. The EPDM membrane is not able to catch fire itself and works well as a barrier to fire, which can help to slow its spread until help arrives.
The membrane is also flexible enough to expand with the heat and contract with the cold without any damage being caused. And it remains flexible in temperatures as low as 450. It also has the flexibility to stretch with the building beneath if it moves or shifts.
An EPDM rubber roofing system will have a 30-50 year life expectancy when installed correctly and will often last for even longer again.
Another benefit of EPDM rubber roofing systems is how easy they are to maintain. It is resistant to mould and algae growth, so there won't need to be cleaned away. And it doesn't really show any dirt, so you don't need to clean it too often.
It is a good idea to paint your EPDM flat roof with acrylic paint around every decade because this helps to protect it from damage and to keep looking at its best.
Repairing an EPDM membrane is easy and cheap and it is a job that a DIY enthusiast could easily take on themselves, especially for flat roofing projects. You can use liquid rubber, sealant, or specialised tape to seal up any tears or cracks and it will go straight back to being waterproof.
An EPDM membrane is a roofing material that causes much less harm to the environment than many others. It is made out of recycled materials and is 100% recyclable after it has reached the end of its 30-50 year life expectancy. It also uses less energy to produce than other roofing materials.
EPDM membranes can also help you to be more energy-efficient. The whiter shades that are often used for residential properties reflect back the sun which can lower your household bills associated with running air conditioning. It is also an insulating material that can lower your heating bills. In both cases, you will be using less energy and putting less strain on the environment.
EPDM rubber is extremely flexible roofing material. It works well on flat roofing and it can also be used to cover much more complicated roofs. This is because its membranes are flexible enough to be able to take the shape of whatever the underlying roof structure is.
While there are lots of options available for pitched roofs, such as slate, clay tiles, and asphalt, there are fewer options that can be used on a flat roof. Many of these roofing materials have a minimum pitch requirement that a flat roof won't abide by.
Flat roof options are limited and the most popular apart from rubber roofing are felt flat roofing or fibreglass. Each of these options come with some limitations that EPDM rubber flat roofing can solve.
Felt is cheap and easy to install for a flat roofing system, which is why it is such a popular option. It can tear relatively easily, however, and has a lower life expectancy than rubber roofing. It also can't take the weight of a person walking on it, which EPDM roofs can. Many flat roofs can also double up as patio areas, which isn't possible with felt.
Fibreglass flat roofing can bear the weight of human beings and it has a similar life expectancy to rubber roofing and is also highly durable. They can be relatively easy to repair, but this often isn't something you could do yourself and would be better left to a roofing specialist. Fibreglass roofing is, however, many times more expensive than EPDM roofing.
One of the biggest downsides to EPDM rubber roofing is its (lack of) attractiveness. People can be put off and see the overall look as quite industrial and soulless. But times are changing. You can paint your rubber roofing project in any colour that you like to give your flat roofing project a bit of personality.
Rubber roof shingles are also a relatively new development that is going a long way to increasing the appeal of EPDM roofing. Rubber roof shingles look like slate tiles, and they can be painted to mimic any kind of roofing finish that you would like. So you get the attractiveness and professional finish of a tiled roof, with all of the benefits of EPDM membranes.
The basic method of laying EPDM flat roofing is to make sure that the underlying decking is cleaned and stripped. The decking is then covered in adhesive and the EPDM rubber sheets measuring the exact proportions of the roof are laid down and smoothed out, often using pipe boots to ensure a watertight seal and drain outlets.
Laying the membrane is a cold application system that is both quick and easy to install. Lots of big stores are now supplying EPDM rubber roofs so an extensive range of rubber roofing direct to you isn't hard to find from a trusted provider.
Many people now are opting to include rubber shingles in their rubber roofing projects. These are laid on top of the rubber roofing membrane using adhesive so that the flat roof retains its underlying watertight seal, and then the gaps between the shingles are sealed with seam tapes to prevent water from seeping in and lifting them.
Another option is to use rubber roofing membranes laid on top of asphalt shingles to provide a protective watertight seal. This can be a good option to install if the underlying roofing system is in danger of water damage.
Installation of an EPDM roof is quick and easy and it has a wide range of benefits, including a long life expectancy, durability, ease of maintenance, flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and it is eco-friendly. There are also now lots of options to modify the look of rubber roofing to make it suit your personal style.
