Seam tape
Every seam gets primer and tape for a lasting bond.
Flat Roofing
Rubber Roof Installation Elmwood Park, NJ
A roofer in Elmwood Park can install a rubber roof by laying EPDM membrane in wide sheets over insulation and a cover board, bonding or fastening it down and sealing every seam with primer and tape, with as few seams as possible. Call (551) 367-0165 to reach a local roofer.
A true rubber roof is EPDM, a synthetic rubber membrane used on flat and low slope roofs for decades. EPDM is sold in wide rolls, typically 45 or 60 mil thick, and it stretches and recovers as the roof moves through hot and cold seasons. Unlike TPO and PVC, its seams are taped rather than heat welded.
The first decision is how the membrane is held down. Fully adhered roofs bond the whole sheet to the cover board with adhesive, mechanically attached roofs use plates and fasteners along the seams and ballasted roofs hold a loose sheet down with river stone. On most homes, fully adhered EPDM is the usual choice because it handles wind well and stays smooth.
Then comes thickness and color. Sixty mil EPDM costs a little more than 45 mil but resists punctures better and lasts longer. Black EPDM absorbs heat, which helps in cold climates, while white EPDM reflects sun and keeps rooms below cooler. Where the rubber meets a shingled roof or the house wall, the tie-in detail matters as much as any of these choices.
Many rubber roof installation calls in Elmwood Park also turn up a need for rubber roof repair or flat roof installation.
Need rubber roof installation in Elmwood Park? Call (551) 367-0165 to talk to a local roofer.
Call nowThe process
What happens during a rubber roof installation
A rubber roof is built in layers, with the seams and flashing as the critical details.
Check the base
The roofer checks the deck for rot, gaps and loose sheets and confirms the roof has enough slope to drain. Old roofing is removed if the roof is being replaced.
Insulation
Rigid insulation, often polyiso, is fastened with plates and screws, then a cover board goes on top. Slope can be built in at this stage.
Sheet layout
The EPDM is unrolled, positioned and left to relax so wrinkles flatten before any adhesive goes on. Seams are planned so they run with the slope.
Bond the membrane
Contact adhesive goes on the board and the membrane, and once it is tacky, the sheet is laid down and brushed. Each half gets the same treatment in turn. Any trapped air is worked out so the sheet lies flat and does not blister.
Seal the seams
Laps are primed and joined with seam tape, then rolled to remove air. Lap sealant goes along exposed tape edges.
Finish the edges
Walls and curbs get membrane flashing held by termination bar, pipes get pre-molded boots and corners get uncured flashing. Counter flashing covers the top of wall flashing. A final walk checks every seam with a probe before the job is closed out.
What is included
Parts of a new EPDM roof
Flashing
Walls, curbs, pipes and edges are flashed to keep water out.
Tear-off
The base is cleared and checked for a sound start.
EPDM membrane
The rubber membrane is adhered or fastened over a clean, dry base.
Insulation
Insulation adds energy savings and slope under the rubber.
Related service
EPDM Roof Installation Elmwood Park, NJ
EPDM roof installation is straightforward in concept and demanding in the details. A flat, dry base, properly timed adhesive and carefully primed seams are what make EPDM last. Dry, mild days give the best bond. Some installers use water-based adhesive for the field of the roof and solvent-based adhesive at walls and curbs, where the grip has to be strongest.
In Elmwood Park, an experienced EPDM installer leaves room for the membrane to move and age. Flashing at walls and curbs is secured with termination bar so the sheet cannot pull loose as it ages, and corners get flexible uncured flashing. Ask how the roofer secures the perimeter.
Local help
Rubber Roof Installation Near Me
Rubber roofs in Elmwood Park are common on porches, garages, additions and flat sections of older homes. From Elmwood Park to neighboring communities such as Garfield, Fair Lawn, Paterson and Lodi, rubber roofs that drain properly and have well sealed flashing last the longest, and the right installer makes a big difference.
Searching for rubber roof installation near me from Elmwood Park or Garfield, Fair Lawn, Paterson and Lodi? Call (551) 367-0165 to talk to a roofer who works in your part of town.
How the weather here affects roofs around Elmwood Park
Cold winters bring snow, ice and a long stretch of freezing nights. When warm attic air melts the snow, the meltwater runs down and freezes again at the eaves, which is how ice dams form and back water up under the shingles. Coastal storms and heavy spring rain drive water sideways into flashing, valleys and old chimneys. That is why roof repair in Elmwood Park is busiest after a hard winter and before the next one.
Why call
Why fix it now
Drier ceilings
A roof problem fixed early rarely spreads to the decking, the insulation or the ceilings.
Roofers who know Elmwood Park
Roofers in Elmwood Park know the roof types and weather wear common in local homes.
Know what happens next
Ask the roofer about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Rubber Roof Installation FAQ
How long does a new rubber roof last?
A properly installed EPDM roof commonly lasts 20 to 30 years or more. Regular inspections help it reach its full life. Repairs are simple when needed.
What color EPDM is best?
The choice depends on the climate and the space below. Black EPDM absorbs heat, which can help in cold climates, while white EPDM reflects sunlight and keeps the rooms below cooler. Talk through the choice with a roofer.
How thick should a rubber roof be?
Most residential EPDM is 45 or 60 mil. Thicker 60 mil is tougher and longer lasting. Thicker 90 mil membrane exists for heavy use.
Is it possible to install EPDM over the old roof?
EPDM can sometimes go over an existing roof. The old roof must be a single dry layer, with a recover board over it. If the old roof is wet, it must come off. The roofer tests the old roof for moisture before recommending a recover.
What is the difference between EPDM and TPO?
They are related but not the same. Black EPDM is taped and stretchy, and white TPO is welded and reflective. Each suits different roofs.
More questions? Call (551) 367-0165
Other services that may help
Rubber Roof Repair
Fixing open seams, punctures, shrinkage and split flashing on EPDM rubber roofs, after the real leak point is found.
Learn moreFlat Roof Installation
Installing TPO, PVC, EPDM or modified bitumen roofs on additions, garages, porches and flat-roof homes, with every wall, curb and penetration flashed properly.
Learn moreTPO Roofing
Heat-welded TPO membrane for flat and low-slope roofs, built around proper drainage, flashing and edge metal.
Learn moreFlat Roof Replacement
Replacing old built-up, torch-down, EPDM or TPO roofs with a new system built to drain, so ponding and repeat leaks end for good.
Learn more
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