An EPDM roof is made from a synthetic rubber membrane. These rubber roofs are fully adhered to surfaces—typically flat roofs—and can easily last up to 50 years. Many businesses unfamiliar with rubber roofing often have questions about it for contractors. If you’re looking for an extremely durable roofing material for your commercial building, consider the answers to these frequently asked questions.

What You Should Know About Rubber Roofing

1. What are its benefits?

The biggest benefits of EPDM roofing are durability and life span, with decades of quality reliability with minimal maintenance. The waterproof and lightweight material allows for easy and quick installation.

It’s also inexpensive compared to most commercial roofing options. Rubber roofs are one of the most energy-efficient roofing products available today, blocking harmful UV rays to help your heating and cooling system run efficiently. 

2. How is it installed?

EPDM roofs consist of large rubber sheeting rolls spread over a roof deck and adhered to the surface using liquid bonding agents or special adhesive. Workers use stiff deck brooms to brush the material across the roof deck, removing wrinkles until it’s smooth. If installed correctly, the material is virtually failure-proof.

3. Can it be applied only to a flat roof?

The rubber membrane is very versatile, and experienced installers should have no problem applying an EPDM roof onto a pitched surface. Today’s membranes use modern extrusion technology and are available in large sheets, making it easy to attach to low-pitched roofs. 

4. Can it be installed over an existing roof?

An experienced roofing contractor can install a rubber roof over asphalt or other roofs with the right preparation. EPDM roofs will only adhere to existing roofs if a new protective layer is added, and this layer must measure 5/8 of an inch in height. It can be made from plywood, OSB board, or polyisocyanurate board with a protective fiberglass layer.

 

Businesses in the Kernersville, NC, area can rely on Price & Sons Roofing for fast and reliable installation. For more than 30 years, they’ve specialized in roof installation and roof maintenance for both residential and commercial clients. Call (336) 869-6921 to arrange your free rubber roofing estimate from the team rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau®​​​​​. Visit them online to learn more about their services today.