What Are the EPDM Roof Advantages?

Posted on May 21, 2019 by Greg Kaz.

As a property owner, it is natural for you to weigh the various pros and cons for any materials or systems you use on that property. Whether it is a commercial building or a residential property, you want to be sure your investments give you the returns you desire. Those returns can usually be summed up (no matter what sort of project) as long-lasting, good looking, high performing, low maintenance and affordable. All of these terms apply to the list of EPDM roof advantages, as well.

What is EPDM Roofing?

EPDM is ethylene propylene diene terpolymer, an oil-based rubber roofing option that is a long-lasting and popular choice. This is because it does exactly what a property owner hopes a roofing material will do – remain watertight and effective for many years. Naturally, there are more EPDM roof advantages than the simple fact that it is an effective option for a rooftop.

For one thing, one of the most significant EPDM roof advantages is that the material can work well on perfectly flat or low-sloped roofs. Whether it is a commercial building with a lot of venting and other issues on the flat roof or a residential structure with a very low slope or pitch to the roof, EPDM is a good option.

Flat or low-slope roofing always has more trouble because it can so easily succumb to issues like intense weather (heat or cold), pooling, structural changes, and roof traffic. Thus, the EPDM roof advantages are very significant when deciding on what materials to use for your low-slope or flat roof.

A Basic List of EPDM Roof Advantages

So, just what are the EPDM roof advantages apart from its watertight properties and durability? The advantages include:

DIY – If you would prefer to tackle the project yourself, EPDM can be installed by a novice who is willing to purchase the simple tools needed for installation AND take the time to do the prep work essential to a good outcome. This may mean installing new plywood or panels for the material to bond to, performing an intense cleaning of the entire surface, and so on.

EPDM

Affordability – Of the many materials available for flat and low-slope rooftops, EPDM is the most affordable among them. Not only can it be done by you or with a group of friends, but the materials themselves are affordably priced and considered the lowest priced among all other similar options.

Longevity – An EPDM installation will have a lifespan of 50 years or more (if cared for properly and installed correctly). It will ask for little to no maintenance and even with any issues, repairs are easy, inexpensive and fast to perform. The material resists UV damage, flexes with the building’s movement over time, and all without weakening or degrading.

Safe – EPDM materials are fire resistant, which is important as they are often exposed to intense amounts of heat and light, and if a nearby building or fire puts your property at risk, it is often noted that EPDM may slow or impede the movement of a fire.

Greener – One of the best advantages to using EPDM is that it is easily one of the “greenest” materials. It requires very little energy to produce and when you need to replace it (50 years later) the materials are 100% recyclable! You won’t even need to use heating machines to install them, meaning they ask for no energy to install.

So, if you are eager to find a roofing material with a great many advantages and few “cons” to its use, EPDM is a good choice.

A Quick Look at EPDM Rubber Roof Installation Cost

Posted on April 23, 2019 by Greg Kaz.

Ask roofing experts and they will always say that there are many factors that impact the total cost of a roof installation or replacement. These factors can include the size of the roof, pitch of the roof, level of accessibility, and the materials chosen. In this article, we’ll explore the typical EPDM roof installation cost and take a look at the factors that affect its installation.

The Biggest Factors in Any EPDM Rubber Roof Installation Cost

When looking at a EPDM Rubber Roof installation cost (or any roofing installation, for that matter), the largest cost factor is the size of the roof. With flat and low-sloped rooftops, that usually means a relatively simple to calculate figure. As an illustration, roofing is often charged “per roofing square” and this is a ten foot by ten foot area, or one hundred square feet.

EPDM Rubber Roof

So, if your flat-roofed building has a forty thousand square foot size, it is actually 40 roofing squares. The best way to give yourself a relatively accurate estimate of the EPDM roof installation cost is to begin with the actual size of the roof to be covered or re-covered with the EPDM.

The Slope and the EPDM Roof Installation Cost

A real advantage to the use of EPDM is the fact that the complexity of a roof’s design usually boosts the cost of any work done relating to the roof. Large and steeply pitched roofs are very costly to deal with, and it is because the pace of the work is slower. Steeper pitches mean materials cannot remain nearby the worker and special steps are needed to ensure safety.

Flat roofs, however, are easily accessible, materials can be brought to the roof and left in place until the work begins, and worker safety is easier to manage because there is no slope or pitch to struggle against.

The DIY Element

Of course, in looking at the issue of EPDM roof installation cost, we cannot ignore that it is a process that is able to be done on a DIY basis if desired. One of the leading advantages of EPDM is that it does not require lots of specialized equipment or training. Not many commercial property owners will do a massive installation on their own, but they also do not need to hire a huge team of experts with heavy machinery and expensive skills to do the work.

And as to the most basic part of the costs of an EPDM roof – the actual materials themselves – EPDM is ranked as one of the most affordable. It requires very little in terms of materials with nothing more than the rolls of EPDM the adhesives used, and special materials like batten boards and special trims to complete the job properly. Keep in mind that the costs of the job, and the need for roofing experts, may boost the overall price. For instance, you may find that the plywood roofing beneath the old roof needs replacement. That can mean a dumpster at the site to take materials, the new boards and their installation, and any other materials will have to be figured into the price.

If there is any water damage, that too can boost the costs as you may need to replace structural issues or work around everything from skylights and vents to chimneys and more.

The good news is that EPDM has long had a reputation as one of the most affordable roofing options for residential and commercial buildings with low-slope or flat rooftops. Long-lasting, water and weather proof, and even environmentally friendly (they can be recycled whenever they are replaced), they are a good solution if you want a budget-friendly option for your building.

Are You Considering Doing an RV Roof Coating Repair?

Posted on March 22, 2019 by Greg Kaz.

Wouldn’t it be great if everything that we invested in lasted forever, if nothing ever had to be repaired? Of course it would, but in the real world, regular maintenance and repair of our possessions is an essential part of ensuring that they are always available and working properly. Whether you purchased your RV new or used, it is an investment in yourself, in your relaxation and leisure time. You inspect your coach and perform routine maintenance before and after each season so that it will be ready for you whenever you’re ready for it. One of the most important areas of your RV to maintain is the roof, because it takes the most punishment and can be the most expensive thing to replace if left unattended. This year, you have noticed some minor cracks in the roof and have decided to head off disaster by performing an RV roof repair coating.

RV Roof Repair Coatings

What Product to Use When Performing an RV Roof Coating Repair

There are a lot of RV roof repair-and-seal products on the market, all making different claims regarding their ease of application and durability. Choosing the product that is right for you can seem overwhelming. The first thing that you will need to consider is the composition of your RV roof. Chances are your coach roof is made of metal, asphalt or EPDM synthetic rubber. The smartest approach is to choose a coating that will work equally well on any of those surfaces; most EPDM rubber coatings fall into this category. Many of them can also be used on asphalt roofs, if the appropriate primer is applied first. Also, an EPDM rubber coating that is a liquid is excellent for filling in and coating tiny cracks and imperfections in the roof’s surface. You’ve decided that a liquid EPDM coating is ideal for performing an RV roof coating repair. Now it’s time to choose one.

Which Liquid EPDM Coating is the Right One for You?

Even after deciding to go with a liquid rubber coating, there are still some things to consider. Performing an RV roof coating repair requires quite a bit of prep work to ensure that the coating will adhere well and last for years. A poorly prepared roof surface is a formula for disaster. You’ll need to thoroughly inspect and wash the surface, being certain to remove all mildew and dirt. Any necessary repairs to the caulking or surface structure will need to be made as you go. If it rains while you’re working, you’ll need to allow time for the surface to thoroughly dry before applying the coating. Some liquid coatings require two coats, with hours of drying time between each, to achieve a satisfactory result. What happens if it starts to rain in between coats? As you can see, performing an RV roof coating repair, while not difficult, can be time-consuming when done properly. Choosing a product that goes on as a liquid and effectively covers the surface in one coat will save you a lot of money and hours of time. Another nice feature of this product is that it becomes water proof the moment that it touches the roof’s surface, so your efforts won’t be wasted if it does start to rain.

If an RV roof coating repair is a part of this year’s RV maintenance plan, you’ll want to consider all of the factors, cost, durability, ease of use and time required, when deciding which product will best fit your needs. Whichever one you choose, Happy Camping!

A Typical EPDM Roof Life Expectancy

Posted on February 22, 2019 by Greg Kaz.

If you are the owner of a flat or low-slope roofed building (whether residential or commercial), and you are in need of a new roofing material, you might have already heard of EPDM. Experts in building and design have long known that it is a remarkably durable material that installs easily and comes with a very budget-friendly price. In this guide, we’ll also look at the typical EPDM roof life expectancy and just why it is probably an optimal solution to your roofing needs.

What is EPDM Anyway?

EPDM is an oil-based rubber material that can be easily applied to a flat or low-sloping rooftop. It is often described as a DIY-friendly material, too, because it does not involve any specialized skills or tools to install correctly and effectively. Preparing the area properly is also going to have an effect on any EPDM roof life expectancy.

EPDM Roofing

Why? If you want to get the very most EPDM roof life out of an installation, it means you’ll have to consider what issues might shorten or interfere with a longer life span on the material. Generally, it is the following factors that can shorten the roofing material’s life span and decrease its performance:

Moisture – Any EPDM roof life expectancy can be shortened if the materials are applied to wood a foundation that is damp or retaining moisture. This can cause adhesives to fail or for trapped moisture to degrade the base materials quickly.
Debris – The prep work before installation involves removal of old asphalt and oil-based materials, as well as ensuring there are no sharp surfaces or pieces of debris that could work away at the backside of the roofing, causing a tear or fracture in the future, and leading to leaks inside the building.
Poor drainage – Preparing a roof for EPDM means ensuring that water drains away from the rooftop and into gutters. This means the installation of batten boards and other trim that channels water where it needs to go. It also means that installation requires flashing to help channel water away from vulnerable surfaces and/or joints between the EPDM and other parts of the building.

A trustworthy EPDM guide can help you learn all about the appropriate steps to take before, during and after installation. Each of these steps can prolong or ensure the long EPDM roof life you desire.

The Average EPDM Roof Life

And just what is the average life span of an EPDM installation. Generally, experts know that a well done installation provides a property owner with 40 to 50 years of roof life, or more. Regular maintenance and inspections can detect any issues or signs of trouble and extend the life span of the roof for even longer.

A Lesser Known Benefit of EPDM

And though you might read that EPDM has a long life and can withstand exposure to such things as UV light, extremes of heat and cold, structural movement and more, it is also important to recall that it is a greener sort of roofing. Not only because it lasts for such a long time, though, but also because it takes much less energy to produce and when it is replaced in later years the original material is entirely recyclable.

If you are considering a new material for a low-sloped or flat roofed building, you have several ways you can go. However, if you need a cost-effective, low maintenance and easy to install option that can last for many years to come, then it is EPDM. Available in different colors, thicknesses and widths, it can cover large or small areas affordably and over a very long span of time.

Liquid Rubber Benefits for Your Roof

Posted on January 21, 2019 by Greg Kaz.

Are you still wondering whether you should use Liquid Rubber for your roof? If you have heard that it could be a great option for your business, or even your home, but you aren’t sure, let’s look at some of the biggest benefits

Waterproof

Leaks could be a huge problem for anyone whether it happens at their home or their business. Leaking roofs could damage to property and stock in a store, and it could cause damage to the insulation and the walls. It could even cause hazards on the floor as water drips and pools. This could be costly to take care of, and it is not something that you would want to have to deal with if you didn’t have to. The good news about EPDM Liquid Rubber is that right after the installation, the waterproofing protection will start – even before it is fully cured.

EPDM Liquid Rubber

Durable

While it goes on like liquid, when it dries and cures, this product will provide you with a strong and durable barrier that protects your roof from all of the outside elements. This protection will ensure that you no longer have to worry about leaks, which will let you rest a little easier when you see dark clouds gathering overhead. When you have this coating on the roof, it can last for up to 20 years. That’s a lot of protection for what amounts to very little work and cost.

Lightweight

Another benefit of this roofing option is the weight. When you compare it to other types of materials, such as tar, the weight is very minimal. After all, you will only need to have one or two thin coats, so it will not add a lot of weight to the roof.

Cost Effective

Even though there is the initial cost of the product, you will find that the cost of Liquid Rubber tends to be quite low compared with other options. Additionally, when you think about the protection that it offers, you will quickly see that it is far cheaper to spend on this type of roofing material than it is to pay for expensive repairs to the roof or building later.

Energy Efficient

Another of the Liquid Rubber benefits that many people never consider is that it has the potential to be energy efficient. You will notice that the product comes in both black and white. When you have white material on your roof, it will help to reflect the sun’s rays, and that can help to keep the building cooler. This could lower energy costs because you will not have to run the AC as much. If you are in an area where it gets colder, you could choose the black coating, which can absorb the sun’s rays and help to keep it warmer inside. Therefore, a business in Maine might want to have black waterproof sealant, whereas a company in Arizona might want to have white.

Is there anything that the EPDM Liquid Rubber can’t do? While it offers many nice benefits, there are some instances where you will not want to use it. If you have a property that has a steeply sloped roof, it will not be a good idea. This is because it will not dry fast enough, and it will run and pool toward the lower portion of the roof. It could even drip off the roof. Therefore, it tends to be a better solution for low-sloped and flat roof.

Other than that, there is no reason that you wouldn’t want to use Liquid Rubber. Just think about all of the benefits listed above.