With so many different types of roofing materials out there, it is hard to read up on them all. Some are more popular than others whether it be for aesthetic reasons or practicality. When it comes to roofing, one option that is not talked about as much but should be is EPDM roofing. Today we will be covering what exactly EPDM roofing is, when it should be used, and everything in between,
At Liberty Roofworks we believe that homeowners should be able to educate themselves on the world of roofing using reliable and accurate information. That is why we created our Learning Hub where we post new roofing-related content every single week on a variety of different topics. Educating yourself on the world of roofing will allow you to make the best-informed decisions for your home as well as prevent any scams that may come your way.
What is EPDM roofing?
EPDM stands for Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer, but it is more frequently referred to as being a rubber roof. EPDM is a rubber-membrane roof that is most frequently seen on commercial buildings with a flat or low-slope roof. However, every now and then this roof type can also be seen on parts of residential homes such as a garage or patio roof. EPDM roofing is used all over and is one of the most popular flat roof types in the United States among commercial business owners.
Installing an EPDM roof
EPDM roofs come in rolls that are long and wide. Once rolled out, the sheets of EPDM are connected to each other at the seams using special tape or other adhesive materials. When it comes to pricing, EPDM roofs are one of the cheapest rubber membrane roofs to install with it costing $4 to $7 per foot.
EPDM roofs are very easy to install, especially compared to other roof types. That means it will not be as big of a daunting task to have to get it replaced, unlike some other roofing materials. Though EPDM roofs are on the easier side to install, that does not mean that you should do it yourself. It is always best to hire a professional to do so since they know what they are doing and it is much safer. Plus, if you install your roof wrong you will end up spending more money to get it fixed.
Since EPDM roofs are installed as big sheets, that means there are fewer seams than other types of rubber roofs. Fewer seams mean that there are fewer areas for damage to occur or issues such as lifted seams. Fewer opportunities for issues to occur means money saved, which is one great thing about EPDM roofs.
Advantages of an EPDM roof
EPDM roofs have a lot of advantages to them, so it is no shock that commercial business owners love to use this roofing material. Aside from being on the cheaper side price-wise, EPDM roofs last a long time too. When EPDM roofs are professionally and correctly installed you can expect to get anywhere from 30 to 50 years out of them. As long as this type of roof is taken care of, it will last you a while.
Another big advantage of EPDM roofs is their energy reduction capabilities. EPDM roofs can be customized to the climate of where you live. For example, if your home or business is in an area that experiences harsh cold months, a black EPDM roof is great because it will absorb and trap any heat, making sure the building stays warm and saving you some money. The same thing goes for those who live in a warmer climate. Instead of black EPDM, you would get white EPDM to reflect the sun’s rays and keep your building cooler. This is especially great for commercial buildings whose business or product requires unique temperature conditions.
Wrapping it up
Business owners with a flat or low slope roof should highly consider getting an EPDM roof installed. The same goes for homeowners looking to have specific areas of their home such as a garage covered. EPDM is a great roofing option for many and comes with many different benefits. We hope that you better understand what exactly EPDM roofs are and why they are so appealing to some. To learn more about EPDM and other roofing options, be sure to check out our Learning Hub each week.
We are here to help!
At Liberty Roofworks we understand how important a quality roof installment is and that is why we have the record that we do. With over 20 years of professional roofing experience under our belts, this family-owned and operated business can take on any roofing challenge, big or small. We are no strangers to EPDM roofing either and can ensure a quality installment that will last you many many years. We understand how important it is to trust the people you hire to take care of your roof which is why we take pride in our stellar customer service.
All of our roofing contractors are professionally trained, licensed, and insured. We make sure that we keep our clients informed on the roofing process from start to finish. We are also happy to answer any questions they may have at any point in our working together.
Are you in need of any roof work? Contact us today and we gladly send one of our roofers out to perform an inspection and go through your options with you. We are here to help!
Frequently Asked Questions about EPDM Roofing
We just gave you a lot of information about EPDM roofs, a roof type that is not talked about as much, so it is completely normal to have some questions. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions we get about EPDM roofs and our answers. If your question is still not answered please contact us and we will be more than happy to personally answer it for you.
Q: What are the most common issues that EPDM roofs have?
A: Occasionally some EPDM roofs can take on punctures from things such as debris which requires repair. Other than that, the biggest and most common issue that EPDM roofs have is that they are not installed correctly. It is super important to make sure that a professional local roofing company that has experience installing EPDM roofs does the job.
Q: How many layers are in an EPDM roof?
A: A EPDM roof is made up of four layers making it extremely durable and thick, especially compared to other rubber roofs. This amount of layers can change of course depending on manufacturers and any special accommodations or requests from the customer.
Q: How long can an EPDM roof last?
A: As long as it is maintained and remains clean, an EPDM roof can last over 50 years. You definitely get your money’s worth with EPDM roofs.
Q: What type of maintenance is required for EPDM roofs?
A: The main thing with EPDM roofs is making sure that they remain clean. In fact, it is suggested that most EPDM roofs are cleaned four times each year. You do not want to clean this type of roof yourself because it requires a specific type of cleaning solution designed for these roof types. It is also best to have routine inspections done by a roofing professional to both evaluate the current state of your roof as well as prevent problems from worsening.
Q: Can EPDM roofs handle sitting water?
A: Yes, they can! As long as the roof is properly installed it should have no issues with any sitting water. In fact, that is one of the benefits of having a rubber roof installed. Other common roofing materials such as shingles cannot handle any amount of sitting water for a period of time. That is why materials such as shingles are not installed on flat or low-slope roofs.
Q: Are EPDM roofs fire-resistant?
A: When EPDM roofs are installed they are not fire-resistant. However, they can become fire-resistant after a layer of AFR gets installed. Once installed, the entire roof is considered to be fire-resistant.
Q: Do EPDM roofs weigh a lot?
A: Not at all! Compared to other roofing materials out there, the EPDM membrane is much lighter, resulting in less pressure put on your home.
Q: Do EPDM roofs boost a home or business’s “curb appeal”?
A: Sadly, not really. Curb appeal is essentially how attractive your home or business is from the street view. Some roof types such as slate can really boost a home’s curb appeal and are more aesthetic. EPDM roofing and other membrane roofs such as TPO are not ones chosen for their aesthetics. They are instead just basically sheets of black or white that smoothly lay over the entire roof. However, the membrane itself will not be as visible as other roof types because it is installed on a flatter roof with less of a pitch, so be sure to keep that in mind.