What homeowners in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Southern New Hampshire, and Southern Maine should know about EPDM flat and low slope roofs.
UNITED HOME EXPERTS | MARCH 24TH, 2014 (updated September 4th, 2025)
Rubber roofing, known in the industry as EPDM which stands for ethylene propylene diene monomer, is a proven option for flat and low slope homes. This guide is designed to give you the facts so you can make a confident, informed decision.
EPDM offers strong value, long service life, simple repairs, and low maintenance. There are a few trade offs, mainly appearance and the need for a qualified installer, and we explain those below.
Typical thickness is 45 to 90 mil which is 0.045 to 0.090 inches. Choose based on exposure, roof use, and budget.
Ask about fully adhered versus mechanically fastened systems, tapered insulation for drainage, and edge metal details.
Maintenance: Annual inspection, debris removal, and touch up of sealant or edge metal as needed. Many homeowners re coat with an acrylic elastomeric every 10 to 12 years to extend life and improve reflectivity.
Energy: White EPDM and cool roof coatings reflect solar heat in summer. Black EPDM can help retain heat in winter. Insulation underlayment improves performance in all seasons.
Fire resistance: EPDM is difficult to ignite and can slow flame spread. Verify assembly ratings for your project.
Tip: Some manufacturers offer EPDM in shingle like strips for a more residential look. Acrylic coatings expand color options.
Serving MA, RI, CT, NH, and Southern ME. Trusted by thousands of homeowners.
Need an honest second opinion, or help comparing EPDM, TPO, and modified bitumen. We install and service multiple systems and help you choose what truly fits your home and budget.
Window Replacement in Franklin, MA 02038
This is a great article, thank you for this. We can use these pros and cons when dealing with our clients as well as some of our own we have. Thank you for this!
This is a great post thank you for this. I was reading another article on the Pros and Cons of Rubber Roofing and it was not half as good as this. I shall use some of these points when speaking to my clients as well as some of my own.
Unless it is something specific to one type of EDPM rubber, I’ve been told of another drawback you never mentioned. One supplier told me: “the oils in petroleum based products will cause EPDM to swell and fail. EPDM should be bonded over 5/8” plywood, 5/8” OSB board, or polyisocyanurate board with a fiberglass backing” So that means unless you plan to rebuild your whole roof, it can’t be installed. Are there exceptions? What you you first coated an existing roof with one of those 100% silicone coatings? Would that serve as a protective layer?
My family is considering replacing our roof for quite awhile, we just aren’t satisfied with the look of our roof, and wanted to try to look for different options. I never knew that rubber roofing was even an option! I’m glad you talked about how inexpensive it is! I will definitely consider this as an option for our roofs. Thanks so much for the information about it!
Thanks for reading, Deb! And best of luck in your roof replacement. Let us know if we can be of further assistance.
The percentage of EPDM added to the roofing at the compounding stage confers the ozone, UV and other environmental properties. There is no industrial standard for the percent of EPDM to commercially call it EPDM. It can be 3% to say, 15% and the environmental properties will vary considerably. Be sure you get a percent EPDM from the manufacturer.
Thanks for reading, Bob! Please let us know if you’d like to chat more.
My house has a rubber roof over an extension added by the previous owner. My inspector advised that the roof is flat causing water to pool. Is there a fix?