The roof of your business is a significant and vital investment. A solid commercial roof will help protect the exterior of your business so that you can focus on your work. So, it is essential to choose a suitable roofing material for your commercial building. But it can be tough to know which roofing material is best for your commercial building without consulting a professional.
EPDM is one of the most popular options due to its commercial applications, especially roofing.
The following blog will help you understand more about EPDM roofs, their pros and cons, and their capabilities to make an informed decision and select the material that suits you best.
What is EPDM?
EPDM or Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer is a synthetic rubber with comprehensive commercial and industrial applications.
EPDM roofing systems are ideal for flat roofing installations across the world. EPDM roofing is widely used in America for the business roof.
They’re made with a single purpose in mind: to provide durable, weatherproof protection for your industrial, commercial, or residential building. Its two primary ingredients — ethylene and propylene — are derived from oil and natural gas, making it an environmentally friendly product that’s also efficient and cost-effective.
Color Types Of EPDM Roofing
EPDM material is available in the following two color options that you can choose for roofing.
Black EPDM
Black is the most commonly used color for EPDM. The black color of EPDM sheets comes from carbon black, which is added during the manufacturing process. It is a fine black powder made from refined petroleum or coal. It is an essential ingredient in EPDM roofing because it makes the material more robust and less brittle.
However, its color can get very hot and thus is not preferred where coolness is needed.
White EPDM
White EPDM roofing is a popular material that is a good option if you are looking for more excellent material.
White EPDM is a white rubber roofing material that functions just as well as black EPDM. White EPDM is formed with a white pigment, typically titanium dioxide. However, unlike its black counterpart, it is much less UV resistant and, as a result, tends to be of lower durability.
PROS Of EPDM Roofs
EPDM is a popular choice for roofing due to the advantages it offers. The following are some of the benefits of EPDM roofing.
Cost-Effective
EPDM is one of the most cost-effective materials for small businesses. EPDM roofing is less expensive than other materials, such as TPO, PVC, and metal. Moreover, replacing a blown or punctured EPDM membrane won’t break the bank.
Easy Installation and Maintenance
EPDM roofs are one of the most maintenance-free roofing materials on the market. These roofs require little to no upkeep and can last for a long time. Also, these do not require much work on installation, reducing the costs.
Offers Good Resistance
EPDM is a type of synthetic rubber that is highly resistant and resilient. EPDM roofing material offers good electrical and heat resistance.
EPDM membranes are also highly flexible and waterproof, making them an excellent material for roofs, liners, and matting.
Durability
Made of high-quality, rubberized material, EPDM roofing is durable and versatile. It resists extreme temperatures, with resistance ranging from -40° to 302°, and can withstand harsh weather conditions like hail and other storms. It can also be easily shaped to fit a variety of gutters.
Energy Saving
EPDM roofs reflect heat, keeping indoor spaces cool and warm in the winter. This roofing material does not let the effects of UV rays harm the roof as it can reflect. EPDM is also breathable, letting water vapor escape, lowering your heating costs. This means that your building is more energy-efficient, and you save money on heating and cooling bills.
Environment Friendly
It is essential to consider the environmental implications of the roofing material for your commercial roof. EPDM roofing is 100% recyclable. When removed, the membrane can be recycled into new roofing material used to build auto parts and even more roofs. By not sending your EPDM membrane to a landfill, you’re helping to preserve our environment for future generations.
CONS Of EPDM Roofs
Though EPDM roofing material provides many benefits to you and poses itself as one of the best materials for commercial roofing in the market, it is not free from its limitations. Here are some of the disadvantages of EPDM roofing.
Prone To Damage
EPDM roofing is a durable and affordable option for any home. But, it’s also more vulnerable to damage than other roofing materials such as metal and PVC. The rubber roofing material is quite soft, which means it can be easily damaged by debris from a storm or even by someone walking on the roof in the wrong footwear.
Can Shrink
Rubber roofs can crack in dry climates and become damaged without regular maintenance. Treating the roof with acrylic paint can protect it from shrinkage and cracks, but this may not last forever.
Can Heat A Lot In Hot Weather
Black EPDM is the most common color that is used by the majority of contractors and homeowners. This can absorb heat and make the EPDM hot. It can be damaging in a place where there is scorching heat.
Appearance
An EPDM roofing system is not visually appealing. In addition, it is available in only 2 colors and does not hold much value to improve your curb appeal.
Components Of EPDM Roofs
The following are some of the parts that make up an EPDM roofing system and help protect your roof:
- Roof membrane
- Roof deck
- Insulation layer
- Cover board
- Adhesive
- Rollers
- Fasteners
Installation Of EPDM Roofs
It is likely that you have understood EPDM as a material and how it can benefit your business’s roof. For example, it is sturdy, resistant, and cost-effective. But before you go on to install an EPDM roofing material, get to know how it is installed. The following are the top contracting companies’ steps for EPDM roofing installation over your property.
Cleaning Of The Roof
Before the EPDM is installed, the first step is to clean the roof. Ensure that your roof is dry and does not have any unwanted scrap.
Spreading The EPDM
The EPDM roofing material comes in the form of a circular rubber sheet. This sheet has to be laid out over your commercial roof. The installation will start with the professional straightening the rubber sheet and spreading it to cover your roof. This is done to check whether the material is enough to cover your roof. Next, ensure that the membrane allows several inches over the building’s edge. After the membrane is settled, it is folded back in preparation so that adhesive can be applied.
Applying Adhesive
To make sure that the material does not come off, the adhesive is applied to the EPDM. The top contractors will use the rollers and other equipment so that the adhesive is spread out evenly and quickly.
Laying The Membrane
When the adhesive on the EPDM roof’s membrane is dry, the contractor will carefully roll the membrane on top of your roof. This process should be carried out with the utmost attention so that all wrinkles are smoothed out, and air pockets don’t develop. In addition, the contractor will use a roller to help smooth out any sections of the membrane that may be too big.
Final Sealing
Installing roofing products that have been sealed and terminated properly can prevent water damage, mold growth, and other serious problems. A full-service roofing company will not only install a new roof but also take care of this critical detail, ensuring that your new roof is protected against leaks and water damage.
Where Can You Find The Best EPDM Roofing Services
ROOF TIGER is Peoria’s best roofing contractor. Our exceptional team has a combined experience of more than 20 years in the roofing industry.
ROOF TIGER can provide you with the best EPDM installation services. We only use the materials made by top-quality manufacturers so that you do not have to compromise on quality. Our team uses the latest and the safest equipment.
Not only installation, but we can also take care of all your commercial roofing needs, such as repair or replacement, so that you can focus on expanding your business.