Seams
Every seam gets primer and tape with lap sealant at the edges.
Flat Roofing
Rubber Roof Installation Kenilworth, NJ
A Kenilworth roofer who installs EPDM can put a new rubber roof on a flat or low slope section of almost any home, with as few seams as possible. Dial (908) 613-5001 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. Its seams are joined with primer and tape instead of hot air.
Attachment method shapes the rest of the installation. Adhered, fastened and ballasted systems each suit different buildings and wind conditions. 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 Kenilworth, NJ right now? Call (908) 613-5001 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.
Check the base
The deck is repaired and checked for slope, ideally a quarter inch per foot toward drains or gutters. A tear-off comes first on existing roofs.
Install insulation
Insulation boards go down for energy savings and slope, topped by a smooth cover board. Slope can be built in at this stage.
Lay the sheet
Wide sheets are laid out to cover the roof with as few seams as possible, then allowed to relax. 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. Each half gets the same treatment in turn. Brooming from the middle outward pushes trapped air to the edges.
Tape the laps
Seam areas are cleaned and primed, then seam tape is applied and rolled firmly with a seam roller. Exposed edges get lap sealant.
Finish the edges
Perimeter edge metal, wall flashing and pipe boots complete the roof. Counter flashing covers the top of wall flashing. The last step is probing each seam and patch for gaps.
What is included
What goes into a rubber roof
EPDM membrane
The rubber membrane is adhered or fastened in black or white.
Cover board
Rigid insulation and a cover board form the base and gives the adhesive a firm grip.
Tear-off
The base is cleared and checked so the roof sits on solid wood.
Flashing
Termination bar, pipe boots and edge metal are installed for a finished roof.
Related service
EPDM Roof Installation Kenilworth, NJ
Installing EPDM well comes down to preparation, seams and flashing. The membrane has to lie flat on a clean, dry cover board, the adhesive has to reach the right tack before the sheet is laid and every seam has to be primed and rolled with care. 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.
For a Kenilworth home, the installer thinks ahead to how the roof will behave over the years. Securing the membrane at the edges and flashing corners correctly prevents later tears. It is worth asking how the edges will be secured.
Local help
Rubber Roof Installation Near Me
Around Kenilworth, homeowners often choose EPDM for flat roof sections because it is durable and easy to repair. Homes in Kenilworth and nearby places including Roselle Park, Union, Cranford and Roselle benefit from rubber roofing because it flexes with the seasons, so installation details matter as much as the material.
Searching for rubber roof installation near me from Kenilworth or Roselle Park, Union, Cranford and Roselle? Call (908) 613-5001 to talk to a roofer who works in your part of town.
Roofs in this climate
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. That is why roof repair in Kenilworth is busiest after a hard winter and before the next one.
Why call
Why not wait
Drier ceilings
A roof problem fixed early rarely spreads to the decking, the insulation or the ceilings.
Roofers who know Kenilworth
Roofers in Kenilworth know the roof types and weather wear common in local homes.
Clear next steps
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Common questions about rubber roof installation
Should my rubber roof be black or white?
Black and white each have their place. White helps in sunny climates, and black is common where winters are long. A roofer can recommend what fits your home.
Which EPDM thickness should I choose?
Most residential EPDM is 45 or 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.
What is the lifespan of a new EPDM roof?
EPDM can last 25 years or longer. Regular inspections help it reach its full life. Small repairs are easy to make.
Is it possible to install EPDM over the old roof?
Recovering depends on the condition of the old roof. Codes generally allow one recover over a dry, sound roof. If the old roof is wet, it must come off. Core samples or a moisture scan show whether the old roof is dry enough.
What is the difference between EPDM and TPO?
The two are different materials. EPDM uses taped seams and stays flexible in cold, and TPO uses welded seams and reflects heat. A roofer can help you choose.
More questions? Call (908) 613-5001
Other services that may help
Rubber Roof Repair
Fixing open seams, punctures, shrinkage and split flashing on EPDM rubber roofs, after the real leak point is found.
Learn moreFlat Roof Installation
New flat roofs built with real slope, insulation, a cover board and a membrane suited to the building, with every wall, curb and penetration flashed properly.
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, with tapered insulation where water used to sit.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesNeed rubber roof installation in Kenilworth, NJ?
Call (908) 613-5001 to talk to a roofer serving Kenilworth, NJ.