EPDM RUBBER ROOFING FAQS
Your questions answered
EPDM, as a roofing material, is an exceptionally durable roof made from a synthetic rubber roofing membrane. An EPDM roof is usually fully adhered to a flat surface and has a proven life expectancy of 50 years. You can buy the full range of EPDM rubber roof materials and tools right here at Rubber Roofing Direct.
EPDM has an outstanding slate grey smooth finished appearance.
The cost of an EPDM rubber roof is dependent on the size of the roof and the Thickness you want to use. Our 1.14mm FlexiProof EPDM membrane costs £9.60 + VAT per square metre. With our EPDM flat roof kit calculator, you can get a better understanding of how much an EPDM rubber roof costs.
An EPDM flat roof is incredibly eco-friendly and sustainable. Recycling and creating rubber membrane has a minimal environmental impact compared to other materials. Furthermore, it has a greater potential for collecting rainwater and has a lifespan of over 50 years whilst fibreglass usually lasts 20 years.
EPDM rubber is a waterproof material that makes it an ideal choice for flat roofs. As the synthetic rubber is compromised of ethylene, propylene and diene, the membrane boasts waterproofing properties that make sure that your roof is protected during rainy and wet periods.
For an EPDM rubber roof to be installed correctly and achieve the best results, the rubber membrane requires the substrate (surface) to be dry before and during installation. Although installing an EPDM rubber roof is far easier and doesn’t require any specialist tools, the conditions have to be dry.
FlexiProof EPDM rubber roof can be used on low, pitched roofs. Our installers are experts in bonding the rubber membrane on low-pitched roofs. We’ve successfully installed countless EPDM rubber roofs onto pitched roofs.
An EPDM rubber roof can be placed over asphalt, but this can only be achieved by using a fleece back EPDM. For the rubber membrane to successfully bond onto the roof surface, it needs to be flat. You cannot install an EPDM rubber roof on shingles.
It’s always important to choose the best roofing material for your project. Whether you’re choosing a roofing material for a shed roof, flat roof or a garage roof, you want to make sure that the roof you choose meets your high standards. An EPDM flat roof offers a wealth of benefits that make it the very best roofing material that includes it being a lightweight material, cost-effective and low maintenance.
EPDM is a rubber roofing membrane that is extremely durable and long-lasting. EPDM stands for ethylene propylene diene terpolymer, with the primary two ingredients being ethylene and propylene. The EPDM rubber membrane is a synthetic rubber that is used in a number of applications because of the advantages it offers.
Rubber roof EPDM sheets come in a range of sizes. The largest EPDM roofing sheet you can buy from Flexiproof is 6.10m x 30m. However, if you’re undertaking a large roofing project, it may be more difficult to successful install an incredibly large sheet of EPDM due to its size and weight.
To successfully place EPDM, the installer must ensure the roof surface is prepped. Prepared roof surfaces are clean, free from dust and other contaminants, and, most importantly, dry. Attempting to install EPDM on damp surfaces can trap water and cause damage to the roof structure as it might vaporize. See more instructions for preparing a roof surface in our training hub here.
EPDM is a durable and long-lasting material that can still be affected by weather damage and wear and tear. Thankfully, EPDM is one of the easiest materials to repair and won’t always require a full roof replacement or repair, as you can apply patches to mend it. Learn more about the products to purchase and how to carry out your repair.
EPDM rubber membranes are suitable to be installed over a wide range of deckings, like timber, concrete and fibreglass – especially when using our primer and adhesive products for long-term bonding. However, it works best when laid on timber deckings – but click the link here to explore in detail.
While in most cases, it’s recommended to tear off the old roof before placing EPDM, in some cases, it’s entirely possible to place the rubber membrane on top. But it will all depend on the compatibility of the existing roof structure and if it’s sound. Learn more.
We offer free training to all our customers. You can take advantage of our free videos that take you step by step through the process of installing your first-ever rubber roof or you can purchase a training course from us.
Our EPDM training centre has trained and certified over 2,000 roofing professionals since 2012 on our one-day course.
Fitting an EPDM rubber roof is an easy and straightforward process; however, steps must be taken to ensure the rubber roof is effective. With adhesives and sealants, the EPDM rubber roof is bonded onto the surface, with wrinkles gradually smoothed out.
EPDM rubber roofs offer a wealth of benefits that traditional roofing materials don’t offer. The main benefits of an EPDM rubber roof are that they’re incredibly long-lasting, extremely easy to maintain as moss and algae don’t grow on it and it’s environmentally friendly as the EPDM is made from recycled rubber and materials.
You can install slabs or tiles on top and across an EPDM flat roof. This is dependent on the type of slab and tile design you want to use. We’ll have to make sure that rainwater and other substances can pass through the gaps and down into the drains rather than sitting on top of the rubber membrane.
When it comes to installing an EPDM rubber roof correctly, you may need a few tools to achieve the best possible results. A rubber roof system can last up to 50 years, making it one of the best flat roof materials for your property. For most flat roofing systems, the tools you’ll need usually are a paint roller, a paintbrush, scissors and a mini roller.
An EPDM flat rubber roof is capable of withstanding light foot traffic. This is during the installation process, further maintenance and using it to access windows for cleaning. However, if you require to walk over the EPDM roof regularly, there are ways to reinforce for surface and ensure that the integrity of the roof isn’t affected by regular foot traffic.
You don’t need to coat a rubber roof. The EPDM membrane is a waterproofing sheet and is the final and top layer. An EPDM rubber roof sheet is incredibly durable and boasts a number of properties that keeps it protected from weather conditions. However, depending on your particular roofing project, you can seek to coat your rubber roof for an extra layer of reinforcement.
Because an EPDM rubber roof is made from rubber, the material cannot be affected by the sun’s UV and ultraviolet rays as well as standard weather conditions such as snow, rain and wind. If maintained properly, an EPDM rubber roof can last in excess of 50 years.
There is a range of materials you can use for a flat roof, such as asphalt or tiles. An EPDM rubber roof is becoming an increasingly popular option for UK homeowners because it’s durable, long-lasting, lightweight and cost-effective.
Although a flat rubber roof is the perfect roofing system that will protect any structure all-year long, there are certain times when it cannot (shouldn’t) be installed. For an EPDM rubber roof to be installed correctly, water-based deck adhesive and contact bonding adhesive need to be applied.
EPDM rubber stands for ethylene propylene diene monomer. It is a unique synthetic elastomer rubber that boasts a number of key properties such as high durability, UV resistant and long-lasting. This is because of the saturated polymer properties found in EPDM rubber, which makes it incredibly resistant to heat, UV, ozone and light compared to natural rubber or neoprene.
This guide will help assess the impact different chemicals may have on EPDM rubber.
You must regularly inspect your flat roof and ensure that it’s clean. You’ll want to frequently remove debris and prevent dirt or grime from building up that could encourage pooling or improper drainage. Cleaning tips include using roof cleaners or dish soap instead of harsh chemicals and solvents and opting for soft brushes over hard brushes. Learn more tips about taking care of your rubber roof.
Sometimes, to maintain your manufacturer’s warranty or to extend the lifespan of your flat roof, it’s important to regularly assess your roof for signs of damage, water pooling, wear and tear and debris build-up. Failure to spot problems early on can lead to big, costly problems later down the line. See common areas to look at.
The thickness of the EPDM you purchase and use will depend on your roofing project and what will be required of the roof. For example, for common residential applications, the most popular thickness amongst our customers is 1.52mm. However, read on to see the types of thicknesses, where they’re applied, and what they recommend.
In most cases, a manufacturer’s warranty is terminated when ponding occurs because it’s the homeowner’s and contractor’s responsibility to ensure correct installation, adequate sloping, frequent inspections and maintenance. Dive deeper into the details.