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    Naas Ferreira
  • 7 years ago

EPDM Roofing Systems – Advantages & Disadvantages

EPDM Roofing – Rubber Membrane

Patching EPDM Rubber Membranes is common

EPDM rubber roofing materials come in different thicknesses. They are .045, .060, and .090 thousandths of an inch.  Most contractors use the industry-standard thickness of .060 thousandths of an inch, which is very near the thickness of a single quarter.

 EPDM Roofing – Advantages:

  • The least expensive system to install per square foot
  • Simple to install with the use of anchors, adhesives, and rollers
  • Weighs less than the other single-ply membranes
  • Sold in 8-20 feet wide rolls resulting in fewer seams
  • Has been on the market for over 40 years

EPDM Roofing – Disadvantages:

  • Harmful UV rays degrade adhesives used on seams and flashing causing them to separate
  • Walk paths of protective mats are needed because the thin membrane is susceptible to punctures due to foot traffic on sharp objects left behind by maintenance crews.
  • Repairs to seams and flashing are required long before the warranty of 15-20 years expires.
  • Surface preparation; removing a system or installing over an existing one, can become an added labor cost.
  • All-black membrane absorbs ultraviolet light causing shrinkage and brittleness which decreases the life expectancy and  absorbs heat which leads to superheating of the structure below raising a/c costs
This image compares the thickness of an EPDM Rubber with that of a coin

EPDM Roofing –  Rubber Membrane:

EPDM is a thin synthetic rubber prone to punctures due to foot traffic from workman servicing units on a roof.

Although the placing of rubber mats where foot traffic is likely to occur, they are seldom used to prevent unnecessary wear and tear. The EPDM is compromised, and small needed repairs can become structural leaks.

This images demonstrate how easily the rubber can be pierced if someone would step on a nail
Notice how the UV’s have deteriorated the membrane

Summary

Notice all the patches which is common seen on most EPDM Rubber Roofs

In the image above, notice all the patched repairs. These repairs have been done on an EPDM Rubber Roof System that was less than 10 years old. There were not enough rubber mats placed in appropriate traffic areas.

Please write reviews about flat roof repairs at the bottom of the page

View Comments (2)

  • There are many advantages of EPDM roofing. The least expensive system to install per square foot. Simple to install with the use of anchors, adhesives, and rollers Weighs. It cost less than the other single ply membranes and a lot of others you may experience after having it.

    • Hi William
      You are absolutely correct in your comment. This is why most roofers chose to install EPDM Rubber Roofs. So I will list the reasons you have mentioned again in a list:

    • Least expensive roofing system per square foot compared to others
    • Relatively easy to install
    • The rubber membrane cost less than other roofing membranes
    • You can find many experienced roofers to install EPDM Rubber membrane

      • All these are valid points and I agree with it. But, this confirms also the disadvantages of EPDM Roofing Rubber. The saying is "you get what you pay for" and that is why being less expensive is also a less of a roof. Here is an answer to each point on your list:

    • 1. Less expensive is also less material, meaning it is very thin. This puncture easily. No UV protection also causes the membrane to degrade faster
    • 2. Easy to install - that is a fact. But because it appears so easy to install, everyone is becoming a roofer and all they know is EPDM. Their lack of experience in all aspects of flat roof installation causes most of these EPDM Roofing systems to fail. Yes, using adhesives and paint rollers to seam an EPDM roof together is easy, but there are other parts of roofing as in flashing, draining, traffic that has to be taken into account. Most of these fly by night roofers, (mostly EPDM Roofers) have given the roofing industry a bad name due to the eas of the installation but lack of experience.
    • 3. Less cost - the reason it cost less is that it is so thin. Logically this means a weaker material that cannot handle foot traffic, ultraviolet, and heat. Also, the cost of the roofing material is reduced because it doesn't come with ultraviolet protection. Another reason for costing less is that the EPDM Rubber is made from synthetic rubber and not natural products.
    • 4. Finding experienced roofers in EPDM Rubber roofing installation: How do you qualify someone as "experienced"? What is the level of experience needed to be a proper roofer? I think most roofers are inexperienced and get away with murder because it appears to be relatively easy to install EPDM.

      • Anyway, I thank you for writing a comment on my site. I understand that you really did it to get a link to your website. Because you took the time to comment, I will allow this link. http://www.epdmroofers.com/blog/

      I hope to hear from you again and "Happy EPDM Roofing" to you.

      Naas

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