Is EPDM Still a Viable Option for Commercial Roofs?
EPDM or rubber roofing is the primary choice of many hotel, factory, and restaurant owners because it's highly durable and affordable. However, does this standard still hold up today? In this post, you'll learn the advantages and disadvantages of rubber roofing and if its value still holds up today.
Rubber roof is a durable and affordable commercial roofing solution. It is made from recycled rubber from wheels, toys, and other materials mixed with reinforcing materials and additives. Depending on the manufacturer, the rubber roof's quality can have a long lifespan, great impact resistance, and reliable lifespan with careful maintenance.
One of EPDM's biggest downsides is its dark color. The default recycled color of wheels and other materials is black. If dye and bright UV protective solutions are applied, it could increase in price. In colder regions across the country, EPDM is still a viable option because it can retain the heat from limited sunlight before colder temperatures arrive.
EPDM is suitable for properties that rarely need to tread on the roof. For instance, factory and restaurant companies don't always need staff on the roof. The limited footsteps will extend the roof material's lifespan.
Synthetic rubber EPDM offers exceptional all-round performance and excellent weathering resistance, thanks to its very inert chemical properties. In this article, Martin's Rubber gives us an insight into the advantages and disadvantages of EPDM sheeting.
EPDM sheeting
EPDM rubber (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer [M-class]) is an elastomer characterised by a wide range of applications. The 'M' refers to its classification in ASTM standard D-1418 and the 'M-class' includes rubbers having a saturated chain of the polymethylene type.
Applications suitable for EPDM
EPDM rubber is used in seals, o-rings, glass-run channels, radiators, garden and appliance hose, tubing, pond liners, washers, belts, electrical insulation, solar panel heat collectors, and speaker cone surrounds. It is also used as a medium for water resistance in electrical cable-jointing, roofing membranes, geomembranes, rubber mechanical goods, plastic impact modification, thermoplastic, vulcanizates, and many other applications
Advantages to using EPDM
EPDM sheeting has excellent water resistance, both fresh and salt, as well as being very good with ozone, UV and oxidation. The temperature and weathering properties of EPDM rubber sheeting are also outstanding.
These factors make EPDM ideal for use in water and it is often the material of choice for potable water applications. There are WRAS approved materials available for use in specific applications but, in more general terms, EPDM is a good all-round commercial material. It is widely used as a lower cost polymer, with good processing abilities.
Roper Roofing and Solar is a dependable roofing company with decades of experience providing commercial roofing installation, repair, and replacement services. We're a company that takes pride in quality workmanship and excellent service. We also provide top-tier residential roofing and solar shingle and panel services. Call us today to learn more.
