Homeowners have a variety of roofing options.  One choice many homeowners make is to put down a rubber roof, better known in the trade as an EPDM (ethylene propylene diene terpolymer) roof.  As with most construction choices, there are good points as well as drawbacks to a rubber roof.  This article attempts to lay out the good points as well as the weakness of EPDM, so that the homeowner can go into the construction jungle armed with useful information. Here are several EPDM roofing pros and cons.

EDPM lends itself especially well to low-slope roofs, which makes it a popular choice for many commercial buildings, as well as on car ports and patio roofs. One of the advantages of a rubber roof is its cost.  While costs vary somewhat from region to region and between installers, the cost of an EPDM roof is generally very favorable when compared to most other types of roofing.

If cost is a factor, homeowners here in the Northeast are encouraged to speak with the roofing experts at United Home Experts.  They have years of experience installing EDPM roofing as well as asphalt roofs.  They can provide the homeowner with invaluable guidance and can do the roofing install both quickly and at one of the most economical prices around.

The vast majority of EPDM roofs are black, but the homeowner should be aware that EPDM can also come with a white coating that can aid in heat reflection and thereby reduce energy costs.  EPDM roofs are also fully compatible with solar cell arrays and even support rooftop gardens well.  Another advantage is the material’s relatively light weight, plus the fact that it adapts to any shape or style of roof (not just flat roofs) with all of the same great advantages.

Most applications of this type of roofing in the past have been for commercial buildings or for specific homeowner projects involving flat roofs or low-slope roofs, but this is changing quickly.  Many homeowners are now seeing the various advantages of a single-sheet rubber roof and the popularity of this type of roof is growing quickly.  Rubber roofs are not some new fad; they have been used for at least the past 40 years, and most EPDM roofs laid in the 1970s are still doing their job today.

Besides low cost, EPDM roofing has several other factors going for it.  Whenever possible, a sheet of EPDM is installed whole, covering the entire roofing area.  This eliminates the need for any seams, which further enhances the waterproofing characteristics of this type of roofing.  Even with a seam, EPDM is virtually waterproof, and if a leak ever does develop, repairs are fast, easy and inexpensive.

Not only that, EPDM roofs are fire resistant.  They are almost impossible to ignite, and they can actually impede the progress of a fire.

An EPDM roof lasts a long time.  In fact, even with only minimal attention, an EPDM roof can last 50 years or even longer.  New formulations for the rubber make these roofs virtually impervious to radiation and damage from UV rays.  They are wind resistant and stand up well to hail as large as three inches across.  These roofs are pliable and settle right along with a building.  They are also impervious to extremes of heat or cold. In fact, unless there is some very unusual event, these roofs virtually never leak.

For homeowners attempting to go “green” there is no better choice than an EPDM roof.  Not only does it take very little energy to construct this material, but the roofs last almost forever, and when they do need replacing they are almost 100% recyclable.

These roofs are applied using no heating system of any kind (a plus for many homeowner insurance policies). In most situations, the rubberized mat is simply glued in place.

It is also possible to paint the rubber roof with an acrylic coating.  Not only do these coatings come in a variety of colors which can spruce up any home, but by coating the roof in this manner, the life of the roof may be extended even longer.  30-year warranties are common with an EPDM roof, and a 50-year or even longer lifetime of service is quite common.

As far as utility savings are concerned,  these thick, rubber roofs keep out the sun’s heat (reducing air conditioning costs considerably) and in colder weather they hold in the building’s heat, conserving on heating costs.  These rubberized mats come in a variety of thicknesses: 45, 60, 75 and 90 mil; the thicker membranes require more initial investment, but provide the most protection.  Again, the roofing experts at United Home Experts can help the homeowner determine the proper thickness for any individual situation.

As with any roofing system, there are also drawbacks to EPDM which should be considered. To begin with, these roofs cannot be installed by the homeowner, and even some professional installers who claim familiarity with the roofs may, in reality, have done little more than watch an installation video.  Obviously this particular problem can be solved by using the trained and certified installers at United Home Experts, who have a verifiable track record of experience successfully installing EPDM roofing.

It is also possible for small leaks to develop around vent pipes and other protrusions on a roof, especially if the installers are not as familiar with rubber roofs as they should be.  Punctures can also occur in a rubber roof, but all of these defects can be easily repaired by a roofer skilled in EPDM roofs.

Repairs to a rubber roof are quick and easy if they are done by someone trained in this type of roof repair.  All of this means that once an EPDM roof is properly laid by a licensed professional, the homeowner can relax for the next forty to fifty years  –  or longer  –  and worry about some other aspect of home repair, upkeep or remodeling.

There are homeowners who do not care for the look of a rubber roof, but keep in mind that the roof can be painted in a wide variety of colors using the acrylic coatings designed for these roofs.  These acrylic colors can go a long way toward making the look of the roof more aesthetically pleasing.  In point of fact, most disadvantages of an EPDM roof seem to be stretching a point which is very thin to begin with.  If this type of 50-year roofing appeals, contact the experts at United Home Experts for additional advice.

Replacing a roof is a major undertaking, but when leaks develop or when a new look is called for, then virtually no improvement to a home beats the long-term value of a roof replacement.  This is especially true here in the northeast, where wind-driven rain and ice dams can cause havoc with even the best roofs.

When it comes to a new roof there are actually two components to consider: the quality of the installers and the quality of the materials being installed.  If possible, demand your roof replacement be done by a quality company that not only offers quality products but insured, licensed and will be there for you after the replacement takes place.

Leak Protection Barrier

All roofs in the northeast are required by law to have a leak protection barrier installed underneath the shingles or other actual roofing material.  Unfortunately, not all leak protection barriers are created equal.  Many inferior brands are sold, and even with the services of the best in town, results can be disastrous due to the inferior leak protection barrier.

Consider quality brands, like Owens Corning, which provide a true protection barrier.

Once the leak protection barrier is laid down by competent roofing specialists, the actual roofing material itself comes next.  Choices include shingles, tile, and shake.

Roof Shingles

In the harsh conditions of the northeast, it is vital to choose the very best roofing protection possible.  Asphalt shingles provide one of the best roofing protection choices in the region for several reasons.  Durability and long-term protection against wind, rain, ice and snow, and the harsh summer sun are the main reasons most homeowners choose shingle roofing.  Shingle roofing also comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns to enhance virtually any home.

If a home is to be re-roofed with shingles, it is vital that only the best quality shingles be used for quality and durability.  This can be determined by comparing the warranties available from different installers for materials manufactured by a range of companies.  Owens Corning, for example, provides some of the longest warranties on shingles in the industry.

Shingles come in different grades, or thicknesses, to match any budget.  Obviously, the thicker the shingle, the more protection it will offer and the more expensive it will be.  Homeowners are encouraged to choose the highest-grade shingle that their budget will permit.

Qualified Roof Installers

Once the grade, color, and pattern of the shingle has been determined, the next step is choosing the right company to install the new roof.  Several factors should be considered when choosing a company to install a new roof.

While it is certainly advisable to get referrals from neighbors and local businesses, it is important that due diligence be performed on any company before it is hired.  The amount of time that a company has been roofing homes in a given area is an indication of the company’s reliability and service; a company which performs shoddy work or uses substandard materials will not survive long in a competitive environment such as roof replacement.

Check reputable third-party references as well like local Better Business Bureau.  Many fly-by-night roofing companies will come into an area, advertise heavily for a few weeks, pluck as many pigeons as they can, and as the saying goes, “before they disappear into the night, never to be heard from again.” Do not be taken in by such companies.

For total peace of mind, only choose companies with a well-established track record in the northeast.  In business since 1997, United Home Experts brings decades of experience and uses only top quality products with lifetime replacement warranties (that even include the cost of labor!). As you can imagine, a company will not offer a lifetime warranty unless they expect a product to last a lifetime.

Obviously, many factors must be considered when a roof replacement is needed.  Time, care, good quality materials, price and attention to detail are all things that the homeowner must take into account for value received.