Synthetic Rubber and Your Roof

It’s not quite rubber, but the ingredients that make up Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer create a layer of single-ply membrane. It’s called single-ply because it only needs one sheet to cover your roof in a protective blanket that resists weather and sunlight.

It should be noted that you may have seen EPDM elsewhere, since it works well for any flat or low-sloping surface like the kid’s area at a park or a garage floor. That’s also evidence of how much EPDM can hold up to foot traffic or impacts, especially since there’s a thicker option.

The “thick” EPDM was manufactured as an answer to commercial roofs with more activity, so the standard 45-mil thickness can be upgraded to 90-mil for a small price increase. However, the basic 45-mil can withstand the effects of severe weather like hail.

It’s also temperature-resistant, because the synthetic rubber isn’t affected much by heat or cold. Being manufactured in black or white, it can retain or reflect sunlight and aid your AC unit respectively in whichever climate your business lies.

Resistance and Insulation

EPDM does a good job of keeping in heat or cold air, but it might be a good idea to discuss insulation options for your professional installation. The layer of insulation will go underneath the EPDM before the latter is fastened to your roof for the long-haul.

When you get this material on your roof, though, you can feel confident that you’ve given your commercial building a longer life. That’s because of the weather resistance that EPDM gives, since weather is one of the main causes of roof and structural issues.

By being a single-ply membrane with barely-there adhesive seams, it leaves no room for leaks. Water damage has critical effects on roofs over time, such as mold or structural weakening. If that’s not bad enough, the moisture damage can spread to your walls and corrupt the foundation.

Obviously, being able to prevent all of that from happening and lasting on your roof for an average of 30 years are huge positives for getting EPDM installed. The other side of that is that, by saving your roof from those effects, you’ll pay less for roof repair and replacement in the future.