EPDM membrane
A 45 or 60 mil EPDM sheet is installed over a clean, dry base.
Flat Roofing
Rubber Roof Installation South Orange, NJ
Installing a rubber roof in South Orange means choosing the EPDM thickness and attachment method, then flashing walls, curbs and edges so the membrane can move without tearing, and explain each choice before the sheet is rolled out. Dial (973) 858-1859 to talk with a local roofer about a new rubber roof.
EPDM is the material most people mean when they say rubber roof. The membrane is thick, stretchy rubber that tolerates temperature swings and resists hail and sunlight well. Unlike TPO and PVC, its seams are taped rather than heat welded.
The first decision is how the membrane is held down. Fully adhered roofs bond the whole sheet to the cover board with adhesive, mechanically attached roofs use plates and fasteners along the seams and ballasted roofs hold a loose sheet down with river stone. For homes, adhered EPDM is the most common choice.
Thickness and color are the next choices. A 60 mil sheet is tougher than 45 mil for roofs that see foot traffic. White EPDM suits sunny roofs, and black suits cooler climates. The installer also plans how the membrane laps under shingles above it and up the wall beside it, where leaks tend to start.
Rubber Roof Installation is often paired with rubber roof repair and flat roof installation, depending on the cause.
Dealing with this in South Orange, NJ right now? Call (973) 858-1859 to talk to a local roofer.
Call nowThe process
The rubber roof installation process
A rubber roof is built in layers, with the seams and flashing as the critical details.
Deck prep
The roofer checks the deck for rot, gaps and loose sheets and confirms the roof has enough slope to drain. Old roofing is removed if the roof is being replaced.
Insulation
Polyiso insulation and a cover board create a flat, firm base for the rubber. Tapered boards add slope where needed.
Lay the sheet
The EPDM is unrolled, positioned and left to relax so wrinkles flatten before any adhesive goes on. Laps are arranged so water flows over them.
Adhering
Bonding adhesive is rolled onto both the cover board and the underside of the rubber, then the sheet is folded back down and broomed smooth. Each half gets the same treatment in turn. Any trapped air is worked out so the sheet lies flat and does not blister.
Tape the laps
Laps are primed and joined with seam tape, then rolled to remove air. Tape edges are finished with lap sealant.
Flashing
Perimeter edge metal, wall flashing and pipe boots complete the roof. Counter flashing covers the top of wall flashing. A final walk checks every seam with a probe before the job is closed out.
What is included
What goes into a rubber roof
Edge metal
Termination bar, pipe boots and edge metal are installed to keep water out.
Insulation
A cover board protects the insulation and gives the adhesive a firm grip.
Deck preparation
Old roofing is removed and the deck is repaired for a sound start.
Seam tape
Laps are joined with seam tape and is checked before closeout.
Related service
EPDM Roof Installation South Orange, NJ
EPDM roof installation is straightforward in concept and demanding in the details. Rushing the adhesive, skipping primer or leaving wrinkles under the sheet are the common mistakes. Installers work in dry weather so the bond holds. The field and the flashings may get different adhesives, since vertical surfaces need a stronger grip.
A good South Orange installer also plans for movement. Securing the membrane at the edges and flashing corners correctly prevents later tears. Ask how the roofer secures the perimeter.
Local help
Rubber Roof Installation Near Me
Rubber roofs in South Orange are common on porches, garages, additions and flat sections of older homes. From South Orange to neighboring communities such as Vauxhall, East Orange, Union and Short Hills, rubber roofs that drain properly and have well sealed flashing last the longest, and the right installer makes a big difference.
For rubber roof installation in South Orange, NJ or nearby towns like Vauxhall, East Orange, Union and Short Hills, call (973) 858-1859 to reach a roofer who covers your street.
What the local climate does to a roof
Winters here are long and cold, with snow on the roof for weeks at a time and plenty of nights below freezing. When warm attic air melts the snow, the meltwater runs down and freezes again at the eaves, building ice dams that push water up under the shingles. Strong coastal storms push rain into every weak spot at the flashing and valleys. Most homeowners in South Orange, NJ have the roof checked in the fall and again after the snow melts.
Why call
Why fix it now
Drier ceilings
Small roof problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Roofers who know South Orange
Local roofers see the same roofs and storm damage across South Orange and nearby towns.
Straight answers
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Rubber Roof Installation questions
Is a rubber roof the same as TPO?
They are related but not the same. EPDM uses taped seams and stays flexible in cold, and TPO uses welded seams and reflects heat. Each suits different roofs.
Can a rubber roof go over an existing roof?
EPDM can sometimes go over an existing roof. There should be only one existing layer, the insulation must be dry and a cover board or recover board goes between the old roof and the rubber. Wet insulation or multiple layers mean a tear-off. A moisture check of the old roof settles the question before any work is planned.
Which EPDM thickness should I choose?
The common choices are 45 mil and 60 mil. Sixty mil resists punctures better and lasts longer, which helps on roofs with foot traffic or hail. Thicker 90 mil membrane exists for heavy use.
What color EPDM is best?
Black and white each have their place. Black holds heat and white reflects it. Ask about both options.
How long does a new rubber roof last?
Rubber roofs often last decades. Good seams, drainage and occasional checks make the difference. Patching EPDM is straightforward.
More questions? Call (973) 858-1859
Related services
Rubber Roof Repair
EPDM rubber roof repairs done with primer, cover tape and lap sealant made for rubber, so the membrane seals again without a tear-off.
Learn moreFlat Roof Installation
New flat roofs built with real slope, insulation, a cover board and a membrane suited to the building, so water drains instead of ponding.
Learn moreTPO Roofing
Heat-welded TPO membrane for flat and low-slope roofs, with seams welded into one watertight sheet.
Learn moreFlat Roof Replacement
Tearing off or recovering a worn flat roof and installing a new membrane, insulation and edge metal, and new flashing at every wall, curb and drain.
Learn more
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