Commercial EPDM Roofing

EPDM Roofing

“Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer” roofing, or EPDM as it’s more commonly known, is a single-ply roofing membrane that’s been a mainstay of the roofing industry since the 1960’s. EPDM material is readily available and relatively easy to install, making it an economical roof option with lifespans that can exceed 30 years.

EPDM has a synthetic rubber composition and comes with an array of cost-effective benefits that make it a go-to choice for many commercial building owners.

Call us today to see if an EPDM roofing solution is the right solution for your project.

Read more about all things EPDM over on the Unlimited Blog HERE.

What is EPDM Roofing?

EPDM roofing, or “rubber roofing,” is a single-ply membrane roof that is chemically bonded together with self-bonded adhesive or pressure sensitive seam tape. EPDM roofs are made of a single-sheet of rubber material that is mechanically fastened, adhered, or ballasted with a river-rock top.

Unlike other single-ply roofs, traditional EPDM roof installations do not include polyester scrim but the options often exists, depending on your building type and usage.

Go even more in-depth on all things EPDM over at the Simpson blog HERE.

EPDM Roofing Costs

The determining price factors for any roof installation are always roof access, amount of equipment on the existing roof, number of penetrations, and the potential need to perform a full tear-off of the existing roof.

That said, 60 mil sized EPDM membrane material costs roughly $0.55/square foot before labor. Comparatively, TPO costs about $0.50/sq ft and PVC roughly $0.70/sq ft. Like its other single-ply counterparts, EPDM’s easier installation, repair, and maintenance make it a reliable cost-cutter over time over the duration of its life.

What Else Affects the Cost of EPDM?

Scrim reinforcements are normally not included as part of EPDM roof installations, despite being included in other single-ply roof installations. Depending on your building type and usage, it may be possible to include a layer of reinforcement during installation, an extra layer of protection that could save money and time down the road.

EPDM material is black by default, however white EPDM is available at a higher cost per square foot. White EPDM is nearly twice the price of black EPDM, costing roughly $0.90 – $1.00/sq ft. That higher upfront cost could save money over time: the white color offers reflectivity and can significantly lower energy costs, especially if your building is exposed to more hot-weather conditions.

EPDM Roofing Advantages

EPDM has one of the longest service lives of any commercial roof type, with over 50 years of documented field testing to support its reliability.

EPDM is very flexible and provides a high level of waterproofing, as well as a number of installation options and insulation types to suit any building owner’s timeline or budget.

EPDM roofs are known for their resistance to weather, heat aging, and UV exposure. They’re also compatible with a range of prefabricated accessories, allowing an easier installation and compatibility with my roof types.

EPDM Roofing Installations

EPDM is most often ballasted and held in place by large round stones or slabs, known as “river rock.”

EPDM can also be mechanically fastened. This is normally a more cost-effective installation method but is not recommended for buildings susceptible to stronger wind conditions.

Adhered EPDM is chemically glued to create a smooth, aesthetically-pleasing surface and offer higher wind resistance.

EPDM roof rolls can also be made with pre-applied tape for self-installation but this method is not nearly as integrally sound as other methods.

EPDM Roofing Insulation Types

EPDM offers 3 major insulation types with various determinants and R-values. An R-Value is the measure of a material’s ability to retain heat. The higher the R-value, the more effective it will be at insulating.

Polyisocyanurate, or polyiso, remains the most popular insulations that’s to it’s high R-value. A great fit for EPDM, however, it may not be suitable for buildings with certain fire restrictions or deck types.

Expanded Polystyrene, or EPS, is a more cost-effective option, offering a higher R-value per dollar, but is usually only used on tapered roofing systems.

Extruded Polystyrene, or XPS, has an R-value ratio that fits right in between polysio and EPS. It’s often identified by its blue, pink, or green coloring.