Edge metal
Every penetration and edge is sealed with materials made for EPDM.
Flat Roofing
Rubber Roof Installation Englewood, NJ
A roofer in Englewood can install a rubber roof by laying EPDM membrane in wide sheets over insulation and a cover board, bonding or fastening it down and sealing every seam with primer and tape, so the roof handles sun, cold and storms for decades. One call to (551) 355-3321 reaches a nearby rubber roof installer.
A true rubber roof is EPDM, a synthetic rubber membrane used on flat and low slope roofs for decades. It comes in large, flexible sheets, most often black, in 45 or 60 mil thickness, and its biggest strength is that it stays flexible in heat and cold without cracking. Unlike TPO and PVC, its seams are taped rather than heat welded.
Attachment method shapes the rest of the installation. The sheet can be glued to the substrate, fastened with plates at the seams or laid loose under a layer of stone. For homes, adhered EPDM is the most common choice.
Then comes thickness and color. Thicker 60 mil membrane stands up better to foot traffic and hail. Black EPDM absorbs heat, which helps in cold climates, while white EPDM reflects sun and keeps rooms below cooler. The transition to a steeper roof or a wall is planned with the same care, since that is where low roofs most often leak.
Rubber Roof Installation is often paired with rubber roof repair and flat roof installation, depending on the cause.
Dealing with this in Englewood, NJ right now? Call (551) 355-3321 to reach a nearby roofing contractor.
Call nowThe process
How rubber roof installation works
Here is how a roofer typically installs an EPDM roof.
Deck prep
The roofer checks the deck for rot, gaps and loose sheets and confirms the roof has enough slope to drain. On a replacement, old layers come off first.
Install insulation
Polyiso insulation and a cover board create a flat, firm base for the rubber. Low spots can be corrected with tapered insulation.
Sheet layout
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.
Apply adhesive
Half the sheet is folded back, adhesive is applied to both surfaces and the rubber is pressed into place. Then the other half is done the same way. Air pockets left under the sheet can turn into blisters later, so the crew works the rubber flat from the center out.
Tape the laps
Laps are primed and joined with seam tape, then rolled to remove air. Exposed edges get lap sealant.
Flash the details
Walls and curbs get membrane flashing held by termination bar, pipes get pre-molded boots and corners get uncured flashing. The top edge is sealed and covered. A final walk checks every seam with a probe before the job is closed out.
What is included
What rubber roof installation covers
Rubber sheet
Wide sheets of EPDM cover the roof with as few seams as possible.
Insulation
A cover board protects the insulation for a smooth surface.
Seams
Laps are joined with seam tape with lap sealant at the edges.
Deck preparation
Old roofing is removed and the deck is repaired so the roof sits on solid wood.
Related service
EPDM Roof Installation Englewood, 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. Dry, mild days give the best bond. Some installers use water-based adhesive for the field of the roof and solvent-based adhesive at walls and curbs, where the grip has to be strongest.
A good Englewood installer also plans for movement. Flashing at walls and curbs is secured with termination bar so the sheet cannot pull loose as it ages, and corners get flexible uncured flashing. Ask about edge securement before work starts.
Local help
Rubber Roof Installation Near Me
In Englewood, EPDM is a popular choice for low slope roofs on additions and attached garages. From Englewood to neighboring communities such as Englewood Cliffs, Leonia, Tenafly and Bergenfield, rubber roofs that drain properly and have well sealed flashing last the longest, which is why the seams and flashing deserve careful attention.
Searching for rubber roof installation near me from Englewood or Englewood Cliffs, Leonia, Tenafly and Bergenfield? Call (551) 355-3321 to talk to a roofer who works in your part of town.
Roofs in this climate
Cold winters bring snow, ice and a long stretch of freezing nights. 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 Englewood, NJ have the roof checked in the fall and again after the snow melts.
Why call
Why act early
Less damage
A roof problem fixed early rarely spreads to the decking, the insulation or the ceilings.
Familiar with local homes
Roofers in Englewood know the roof types and weather wear common in local homes.
Know what happens next
Ask the roofer about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Rubber Roof Installation FAQ
Is a rubber roof the same as TPO?
They are related but not the same. EPDM is usually black, very flexible and seamed with tape, while TPO is usually white, more reflective and heat welded at the seams. Each suits different roofs.
Should my rubber roof be black or white?
Black and white each have their place. Black EPDM absorbs heat, which can help in cold climates, while white EPDM reflects sunlight and keeps the rooms below cooler. A roofer can recommend what fits your home.
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. Even thicker sheets are available for demanding roofs.
Is it possible to install EPDM over the old roof?
A recover is possible only under certain conditions. 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. Core samples or a moisture scan show whether the old roof is dry enough.
How long does a new rubber roof last?
Rubber roofs often last decades. Thickness, seam quality and maintenance all affect its life. Patching EPDM is straightforward.
More questions? Call (551) 355-3321
Often needed together
Rubber Roof Repair
EPDM rubber roof repairs done with primer, cover tape and lap sealant made for rubber, never with tar or asphalt cement that ruins the rubber.
Learn moreFlat Roof Installation
Flat roof installation from the deck and tapered insulation up to the seams, flashing and edge metal, planned around how the roof will be used.
Learn moreTPO Roofing
TPO membrane roofs installed over new insulation or in place of a worn flat roof, sized to the deck, the drains and the way the roof is used.
Learn moreFlat Roof Replacement
Tearing off or recovering a worn flat roof and installing a new membrane, insulation and edge metal, so ponding and repeat leaks end for good.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesTalk to an Englewood roofer about rubber roof installation
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