EPDM Roofing Systems - 5 Star Commercial Roofing

What Is EPDM Roofing?

Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (Terpolymer) roofing membrane is highly durable. It’s a membrane made of a man-made rubber material. It’s a common single layer membrane system used on flat or low slope roofs across the United States as well as other countries. It’s typically referred to as rubber roofing.

EPDM is most often black, but is also available in white. EPDM roofing is installed over insulation in a thickness needed to meet local insulation code requirements.

EPDM roofs typically have the longest lifespan of any type of roofing, and can last an average of 25-30 years if cared for properly. It’s a durable, single-ply membrane that is resistant to hail, sunlight and ultraviolet light, extremes of heat and cold, and wind. This kind of durability makes EPDM a great choice for low slope and flat roofs, to protect your building from weather.

5 Star commercial roofing can handle all your EPDM roofing needs. Whether it’s inspection and evaluation, full replacement, or patching and repair, schedule an appointment today to have a free, no obligation roof inspection and evaluation. We’ll write up an estimate, and meet your insurance adjuster if needed.

Read more about EPDM roofing below, or just go ahead and fill out the contact form to reserve a time slot

Types of EPDM Roofing Installation

EPDM roofing can be secured to the roof in three primary ways:

ballasted installation
mechanically attached
fully adhered

Ballasted EPDM Roof

Roughly a third of EPDM roofing systems have a ballast system. The membrane is laid over the roof loosely (not attached), and smooth rock or pavers are laid on top to hold it down. This method of installation can provide effective protection against hail, if the membrane is fully covered.

EPDM with ballast is one of the easiest roof systems to install. It’s typically used on new construction, though it can be installed over existing roofs as long as the structure can support the additional weight of the ballast.

Fully Adhered EPDM Roof System

Perhaps the most durable, a fully adhered EPDM installation is installed by gluing the membrane to the insulation layer. The insulation layer may be attached using fasteners and round plates, with fastener strips, or with adhesive, to the deck underneath. This is a light weight application, suitable for most installations, and is one of the most common methods of installing EPDM roofing.

Mechanically Attached EPDM Roof System

Mechanical attachment of the EPDM layer can be done using panels attached through the membrane, or can use narrower bars on the edges of the membrane. It’s then attached using batten strips or round plates. This is a lightweight installation system, suitable for many different shapes and sizes of flat roofs.

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White EPDM Membrane

EPDM traditionally comes in black, but this absorbs the heat from the sun. EPDM is available in white, which still has all the benefits of EPDM, but has a reflective surface to reduce heat absorption. Instead of carbon black, used for UV protection in black EPDM membrane, the white version has titanium dioxide added to it. This reflects the sun’s rays and gives it the white color, and as a result, white EPDM tends to lower cooling costs in the summer.

Carlisle is a brand of EPDM we often use.

Insulation under EPDM

EPDM roofs typically are installed over rigid ISO polystyrene foam insulation, and may use tapered insulation (where the insulation creates slopes and valleys to assist in drainage). EPDM roofing can be damaged by hail, and also eventually may develop cracks and splits. It’s important to address these issues before moisture penetrates and soaks into the underlying insulation.

If your EPDM roof is damaged, or you think it might be, schedule a free roof evaluation. We’ll come onsite and inspect your roof for damage. We can also determine if there is underlying moisture, and help you determine the best approach to get your roof dried back in.

Our Strategy

We’re proud that our we offer top-notch roofing services for all of the Texas panhandle! With us you’ll never feel like the roofers are fly by night. Besides, we stand behind 100% of our work!

01

Estimating

We provide free roof inspections and write a competitive estimate..

02

Reconstruction

We repair or replace your roof with quality materials and workmanship from start to finish.

03

Guarantee

We guarantee you’ll be happy with our work, and we guarantee it will last, or we will make it right.

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