Rubber sheet
The rubber membrane is adhered or fastened with as few seams as possible.
Flat Roofing
Rubber Roof Installation Westfield, NJ
A Westfield 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. One call to (908) 728-6005 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. 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.
EPDM can be attached in three main ways. Adhered, fastened and ballasted systems each suit different buildings and wind conditions. Residential roofs are most often fully adhered.
Thickness and color are the next choices. 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. Where the rubber meets a shingled roof or the house wall, the tie-in detail matters as much as any of these choices.
Many rubber roof installation calls in Westfield also turn up a need for rubber roof repair or flat roof installation.
Need rubber roof installation in Westfield? Call (908) 728-6005 to talk to a local roofer.
Call nowThe process
How rubber roof installation works
Here is how a roofer typically installs an EPDM roof.
Deck prep
Damaged decking is replaced and drainage is confirmed before any insulation goes down. A tear-off comes first on existing roofs.
Install insulation
Polyiso insulation and a cover board create a flat, firm base for the rubber. Slope can be built in at this stage.
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.
Bond the membrane
Contact adhesive goes on the board and the membrane, and once it is tacky, the sheet is laid down and brushed. 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.
Seaming
Primer and seam tape join the sheets, with T-joints covered by extra patches. Lap sealant goes along exposed tape edges.
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. The last step is probing each seam and patch for gaps.
What is included
What rubber roof installation covers
Tear-off
Decking is inspected and replaced where needed before new layers go down.
Cover board
Insulation adds energy savings and slope and gives the adhesive a firm grip.
Flashing
Walls, curbs, pipes and edges are flashed for a finished roof.
Seam tape
Seams are primed, taped and rolled and is checked before closeout.
Related service
EPDM Roof Installation Westfield, NJ
EPDM roof installation is straightforward in concept and demanding in the details. A flat, dry base, properly timed adhesive and carefully primed seams are what make EPDM last. Dry, mild days give the best bond. The field and the flashings may get different adhesives, since vertical surfaces need a stronger grip.
A good Westfield installer also plans for movement. Perimeter securement and proper flashing help prevent the shrinkage problems older rubber roofs show. It is worth asking how the edges will be secured.
Local help
Rubber Roof Installation Near Me
Rubber roofs in Westfield are common on porches, garages, additions and flat sections of older homes. Homes in Westfield and nearby places including Garwood, Cranford, Mountainside and Fanwood benefit from rubber roofing because it flexes with the seasons, which is why the seams and flashing deserve careful attention.
For rubber roof installation in Westfield, NJ or nearby towns like Garwood, Cranford, Mountainside and Fanwood, call (908) 728-6005 to reach a roofer who covers your street.
What the local climate does to a roof
Cold winters bring snow, ice and a long stretch of freezing nights. Heat escaping from the attic melts snow on the upper roof, and the water refreezes at the colder 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 Westfield is busiest after a hard winter and before the next one.
Why call
Why not wait
Smaller repairs
Small roof problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Local knowledge
Roofers in Westfield know the roof types and weather wear common in local homes.
Straight answers
Ask the roofer about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Rubber Roof Installation FAQ
What is the lifespan of a new EPDM roof?
Rubber roofs often last decades. Good seams, drainage and occasional checks make the difference. Repairs are simple when needed.
Can a rubber roof go over an existing roof?
EPDM can sometimes go over an existing roof. Codes generally allow one recover over a dry, sound roof. Wet insulation or multiple layers mean a tear-off. A moisture check of the old roof settles the question before any work is planned.
What is the difference between EPDM and TPO?
EPDM is synthetic rubber, while TPO is a thermoplastic membrane. EPDM uses taped seams and stays flexible in cold, and TPO uses welded seams and reflects heat. Each suits different roofs.
What color EPDM is best?
The choice depends on the climate and the space below. Black EPDM absorbs heat, which can help in cold climates, while white EPDM reflects sunlight and keeps the rooms below cooler. Ask about both options.
How thick should a rubber roof be?
The common choices are 45 mil and 60 mil. The thicker sheet holds up better to traffic and weather. Thicker 90 mil membrane exists for heavy use.
More questions? Call (908) 728-6005
Related services
Rubber Roof Repair
Fixing open seams, punctures, shrinkage and split flashing on EPDM rubber roofs, 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, planned around how the roof will be used.
Learn moreTPO Roofing
White, heat-welded TPO single-ply roofing for low-slope homes and buildings, built around proper drainage, flashing and edge metal.
Learn moreFlat Roof Replacement
Replacing old built-up, torch-down, EPDM or TPO roofs with a new system built to drain, with tapered insulation where water used to sit.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesGet rubber roof installation help in Westfield
Call (908) 728-6005 for a local roofer in Westfield and nearby towns.