EPDM roofs or rubber roofs have been in use for more than four decades. Its prototypes appeared in the market around the 1980s, and they've gained a reputation as affordable residential shed and garage and commercial roofs for their affordability and durability.
True enough, complying with ASTM standards makes them an excellent choice for any Denver CO property. However, are they still relevant nearly five decades competing with higher-end roofing products?
David Maines & Associates believes that EPDM is still relevant because of its huge advantages. True enough, all roofing materials have their pros and cons, and EPDM is no stranger to these. Read up on what makes an EPDM roof still useful for Denver CO properties this 2019.
What Is an EPDM Roof?
An EPDM roof is made from a durable synthetic rubber. It’s a popular material for low-slope roofs. The two main materials used to make EPDM are ethylene and propylene. These come from oil and natural gas. EPDM roofing systems have been used for more than 40 years. This type of roof has proven its applicable reliability and resistance to a wide variety of outdoor elements.
EPDM roofing is most commonly black, but it can also be found in white instead. Depending on the job you need done, it can be easily shaped into a range of widths. There are a few different thicknesses available, depending on the climate and other factors. These things will have an effect on the cost.
Advantages of EPDM Roofs:
Quick installation: This type of roofing system is also quick and easy to install. When a roof can be installed quickly, you can get back to business sooner. If it’s on a new build, your construction team can move on to other parts of the building sooner. And if it’s for a re-roofing project, it won’t act as a disruption for as long.
Lightweight: EPDM rubber is lightweight, so you don’t have to reinforce the lower layers of the roof. But even though it’s lightweight, you don’t lose durability. The rubber resists scratches and scuffs and avoids damage from ultraviolet rays in sunny climates. Its long-lasting characteristics give it great longevity.
Less likely to leak: It also has fewer leaks than other roofing systems. When the rubber is rolled out, it doesn’t have many seams. The seams that are there are sealed with a liquid adhesive. Even when leaks do appear, they’re easy to fix. You can apply a simple patch overtop the rubber. (read the complete post here)
As we mentioned earlier, EPDM roofs and other roofing materials have their own key disadvantages despite their usefulness. No roofing material has an all-in-one solution, and that includes EDM roofs. Even if you purchase the best roofing material in the market for your property, you will continue to face problems along the way.
The Roofing Company Las Vegas has some great insight on what makes EPDM roofs vulnerable and why you should reconsider other roofing products for 2019
4 Problematic Disadvantages of EPDM Roofing
If you’re looking to save on roofing expenses, you might be thinking about installing an EPDM roof. These is one of the most common and least-expensive roofing materials, and if your building was constructed over the last few years, it may already have it. Choosing an EPDM roof now could save you lots of money upfront, but there are some trade-offs you’ll make as a result. Once you’re aware of these, you can decide if EPDM is right for your roofing needs if you should use another material.
What Are the Problems and Disadvantages of EPDM Roofing?
While EPDM roofing has numerous advantages, there are also some important drawbacks you’ll want to consider before choosing it for your building.
Easy to Damage
While EPDM roofing can provide adequate protection in many circumstances, it is more vulnerable to damage than other materials. Rubber roofing usually consists one one relatively thin layer of material that is often exposed to the elements. It can be easily damaged by debris from a storm or even by someone walking on the roof in the wrong footwear. You’ll have to make repairs quickly to prevent water damage, and these expenses can eventually add up over time to reduce your overall savings.
Shrinkage
Over time, exposure to the elements can shrink a rubber roof, which can lead to leakages as seams come apart and cracks open up. You can help to avoid this by coating your roof with acrylic paint, but this may still eventually become a problem, especially in drier climates. A roof can begin to crack from roof shrinkage in as little as seven years if it is poorly installed, so you’ll want to maintain regular inspections to seal any leaks before they cause damage. However, these can be hard to detect until a leak becomes evident within your building, which may indicate damage has already been done.
Protrusions (Read more here)
Now that you know how EPDM roofs can give you an edge and have coped with dealing about its flaws, you can make an informed decision with full consideration of all consequences. In addition, if you're interested in installing EPDM roofs in-house or on your own through DIY, you can use the following detailed instruction from Summit Commercial Roofing.
How to Install EPDM Roofing
At Summit Commercial Roofing, we love EPDM (a synthetic rubber roofing membrane) for its ability to stand up to virtually any climatic conditions and its ease of maintenance. We can show you how to install EPDM roofing in no time, but first, what does EPDM roofing installation drip edge involve?
Surface Preparation
The key to knowing how to install EPDM roofing lies in starting with a clean surface. This means removing all dirt, debris, grease, and other contaminants. The surface also needs to be completely dry. Any existing coverings, such as asphalt layers, need to be removed completely.
In the case of commercial roofs with drainage or ponding problems, it’s always best to call a professional for assistance. Installing new EPDM on faulty, incorrectly leveled or damaged roofing won’t improve matters. Experts can replace or re-level the roof surface using high-grade moisture-resistant OSB panels.
Pre-Installation Tasks
In order to keep sheets perfectly straight, and minimize the chances of bubbles or creases, the next step is to measure and mark the project area using chalk or a pencil. A roof requires enough EPDM membrane to cover it completely, along with a thick overhang for the adjacent walls and roof edge. During this stage, you’ll also want to install the drip batten and drip back trim at the roof’s edge to direct rainwater over the gutter.
EPDM Sheet Preparation
Once you’re ready to begin working with your EPDM rolls, you’ll need to prepare the sheets. EPDM’s versatile nature means that many projects can be handled with a single, seamless layer of up to 50 feet wide. If your commercial roof requires a larger size, we recommend calling our professionals for assistance, since improperly installed seams are one of the biggest causes of leaks and moisture damage.
The membrane needs to be completely unfurled and laid flat over the roof surface. Then the “rest” phase begins, which allows the rubber to expand naturally. On a warm day, resting can take approximately 30 minutes.
EPDM Sheet Application (Read full post here)
For 2019, EPDM roofing is still relevant. However, its pros and cons, which has been a part of it since its market inception, should be something all property owners consider and look into before deciding to own an affordable and effective EPDM roof.
A huge part of an EPDM roof's long-term lifespan and performance depends greatly on the installation procedure you will use. Professional and veteran Denver CO contractors guarantee exceptional installation because they use top-tier equipment and have done the process a million times.
When it comes to roofing, it pays to have the best to work with you. Roper Roofing is Denver's finest roofers. If you have yet to find a roofer to install your EPDM roofs, you can contact us today!
