For the construction of any building, roofing is as important as any other construction process— It is the foundation of the maintenance of the building. For buildings of all kinds, commercial and business purposes, the shift is towards EPDM roofing instead of TPO and PVC. Why EPDM? But first, a brief look at what EPDM is.
What is EPDM?
EPDM is an acronym for Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer rubber. Rubbers manufactured using saturated polymer bases are usually more durable, with much better resistance to heat, sunlight, and other ultraviolet rays that damage rubber surfaces, than unsaturated rubbers like PVC and TPO.
From the brief look at EPDM, it is obvious why commercial properties are shifting towards it. Commercial properties have frequent usages compared to residential ones, so they need to be but with durable material — the roofing inclusive, to withstand wear and tear. Let’s now focus on the benefits of EPDM roofing, making it very suitable for commercial roofing.
Why EPDM for Flat Roofing?
EPDM roofing is fast becoming the go-to solution for flat roof repairs and installation. Especially for commercial structures, many businesses and roofing professionals are shifting towards it. EPDM is lightweight and very water-resistant, unlike traditional flat roofing materials like asphalt, felt, and bitumen. If you are looking for a flat roofing system that is durable and robust, EPDM is your best bet which can save you a lot of money with a wide range of performance and installation benefits.
EPDM roofing is easy to install, making this membrane an excellent choice for anyone who wants to install its roofing system.
It’s also durable and long-lasting, meaning you won’t have to replace your roof for many years. You’ll also save time and money on maintenance and cleaning, unlike traditional materials like felt and asphalt. So, if you’re looking for a low-maintenance solution for your property, then this could be ideal.
Whether you’re in the trade or a homeowner looking to fix your roof yourself, we’ve got the products and solutions you need (a pointer to the fact that EPDM roofs fit well for commercial and residential purposes. EPDM roofing system provides a range of roof solutions and services that will ensure that your project goes without a hitch and the outcome brings you pride for years to come.
Traditional flat roof materials such as felt need heat to stick. It would be best if you used tools like a blowtorch, which can be dangerous and time-consuming. On the other hand, EPDM materials do not require heat so you can install them quickly and safely. You won’t need a heat source — you can easily fit your roof without hassle.
Benefits of Using EPDM Rubber For Commercial Roofing
- Cost-Efficient
Commercial properties are usually keen on cutting costs due to the excellent construction capital they consume. EPDM is the most cost-efficient of the common membrane roofing systems to install. Unlike TPO and PVC, EDPM consumes the lowest when it comes to per square meter measurement. For flat roofing, EPDM can cost as much as 10 times less per square foot than TPO materials; most times, PVC costs more per square meter than TPO even. More so, EPDM materials are durable for roofing and insulating a commercial building for more than 30 years of frequent use.
The low maintenance nature of EPDM roofing makes it a very cost-efficient roofing solution for commercial properties. In other words, EPDM roofing uses wider roll sizes, which require fewer rolls to purchase to cover the roof. This way, companies get to save more resources, diverting such to other areas of need.
- Durability and Weather Resistance
As part of saving money and resources, commercial roofing companies consider the durability of the roofing material. EPDM is the most durable membrane-based roofing material — it is sturdy for years of use. When properly installed and maintained, an EPDM roofing system can last more than three decades. Once regular seam separation inspection is done, the roof can last as long, even under harsh weather conditions.
EPDM material is made of rubber. This way, it is highly resistant to adverse weather conditions like excessive rainfall, windstorms, hail, etc. EPDM roofing rubber can be built to suit different levels of resistance. For instance, it can be formulated to be resistant to extremely high temperatures like 302° F or 150° C. More so, EPDM roofing sheets can be manufactured with up to 90 mil thickness; this can withstand the toughest hailstorms. As a commercial building contractor, you can increase the thickness of your EPDM roof for greater puncture and weather resistance. For example, RubberBomd Fleeceback’s 2.6mm thickness offers 40% more puncture resistance and 180% more tear resistance than the 1.52mm variant. No doubt, EPDM roofing is the option for commercial buildings that are looking for long-lasting roofing solutions at a low maintenance cost.
- Low-impact Installation
When it comes to installation, nothing beats the ease of installing EPDM roofs — in a situation where a handful of installations must be done, remember. EPDM roofing has 67% fewer seams than modified bitumen roofing felt, making for a neater and more straightforward installation process. The ease of installing EPDM roofs also makes them a perfect fit for re-roofing processes. The rubber can be laid easily without restructuring the old roofing system.
This neat installation process helps commercial buildings achieve an elegant-looking flat roof membrane without compromising durability. As a perk, EPDM roofs are sturdy enough to walk on, allowing every inch of the roofing system to be taken care of.
- Safety
EPDM roofing is very safe — both during the installation process and once it is in place. EPDM is made of rubber, not metal which could injure the installer during the process. For EPDM roofing, no heat or welding is required during installation. Also, the application process is the safest and quickest of all flat roofing materials. EPDM roofs are also very fire-resistant, a perk during fire disasters. You reduce the potential of swift property damage in cases where there is no immediate source of extinguishing the fire.
- Maintenance and Repair
From all we’ve outlined, it is easy to infer that EPDM roofs are straightforward to maintain, which is why they are cost-efficient. The rubber build makes repairs easy and straight to the point. Little wonder commercial building contractors favor EPDM for cost reduction.
- Energy Efficient
Though this advantage is usually location-based, it is a benefit all the same. Especially in extremely cold templates, an EPDM roofing system is very much recommended, as the rubber build can keep a building warm by absorbing and retaining solar heat. On the other hand, in water temperatures, EPDM roofs are available in white color to reflect solar heat and keep the interior cooler. This energy efficiency is a popular perk that attracts companies— there is an influx of traffic daily in commercial buildings; the temperature needs to be regulated. As a result, making EPDM roofs a good option.
Also, the remains of EPDM roofing materials are fully recyclable. Not only do EPDM roofing sheets keep the environment waste-free, but they also prevent the wastage of limited resources.