Benefits of EPDM “Rubber” Roofing
EPDM, also called Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer, is a popular roofing material commonly used in commercial roofing. This single-ply membrane, or simply “rubber roofing,” has been used in low-slope roofing applications for decades, thus protecting residential and commercial structures. Why is EPDM roofing popular, and why should you consider it? Experts in commercial and residential roofing share the benefits of EPDM rubber roofing: 1. Affordability Typical EPDM roofing material is cheaper compared to other commercial and residential roofing materials such as Metal, PVC, Modified and Built Up Roofing. As a single-ply material, it is easy to install, thus lowering installation costs. In addition, the material can sometimes be recycled for new EPDM roofing. 2. Maintenance EPDM requires little maintenance compared to other roofing materials. After it is installed, a once a year walk through to check the roof and keep the drains, scuppers and gutter clean is all you really need. As with any roof system, scheduling a maintenance regimen can prolong its lifespan. 3. Eco-friendly Non-reinforced EPDM membranes can sometimes be recycled. Ballasted EPDM roof systems are the most ideal, since there are no adhesives on them to interfere with the recycling process. Recycled EPDM can be used in a variety of other rubber products, like playground rubber mulch, yoga matts, and a variety of other products. This makes it one of the most […]
EPDM Warranties Explained (And Why It’s So Popular)
The industry market for waterproofing membranes, like EPDM roofing, was worth $7.5 billion in 2018. The value of the industry is projected to increase to $14 billion by 2026. Considering the explosion in popularity for roofing membranes, especially EPDM roofing membranes, it’s not surprising. According to the EPDM Roofing Association, over one billion square feet of newly installed EPDM roofing is laid down every year. Over 35% of the entire American roofing industry is concentrated in the EPDM waterproof membrane roofing market. The EPDM roofing market is still growing in Europe but currently commands a 12% share of the roofing market. EPDM roofing is relatively inexpensive to install, environmentally friendly, and designed to last many decades. That is why EPDM warranties are just as popular as the material. Before we explain EPDM warranties, let’s talk briefly about EPDM in general. What is EPDM? EPDM is an acronym that stands for ethylene propylene diene monomer. It is a synthetic and highly durable synthetic form of rubber. If you have ever heard the term, “rubber roof,” it was probably a reference to the EPDM waterproof roofing membrane. EPDM is most commonly used on low-sloping flat roofs on residential and commercial buildings. Flat roofs are multi-tiered structures of complex design with a waterproof membrane at the top, the EPDM materials. EPDM roofing materials are resistant to extreme weather […]
Choosing The Longest Lasting Commercial Roofing For Harsh Winters
Winters are harsh on commercial roofing. All of that rain, sleet, snow, ice, and wind will do damage. Often business owners think their roof is strong until a night of wind and rain brings leaks and damp patches. The weight of heavy snowfall or a week of ice will cause its own problems. A harsh winter will expose weaknesses, often with devastating results. At Chaffee Roofing, we know the benefits of a long-lasting commercial roof. The type of roofing to come through the winter and withstand the toughest conditions is what you need. Let’s take a closer look at the best roofing for your building. TPO is one of the best roofing solutions for harsh winter problems. We supply EPDM, TPO, and PVC membrane roofing materials for commercial installs. All three products have their benefits, depending on the style of the roof. TPO is one of the best for harsh winters. It has many benefits, and for commercial roofs going through harsh winters, TPO covers all eventualities. Not shattering is one of the major benefits of any roof in a harsh winter. Instant, low temperatures can cause a roof to shatter, often overnight. This will not happen with TPO, and you can rest assured when the coldest nights come that your TPO roof will stay secure. Shrinking is another problem with cold and freezing conditions. […]
Types Of Commercial Roofing That Are Installed Over Your Old Roofing
Does your old commercial roof need replacing? Are you considering installing a new roof over the old one? Are you worried about choosing the right roof for your building? We see projects where removing and disposing of the old roof is as big a job as installing the new one. The solution can lie in installing the new roofing over the existing one. There are types of commercial roofing systems that allow you to do this without any trouble. When done correctly, the finished roof is as strong and reliable as any new installation. Let’s take a closer look at the types of commercial roofing to install over your old roofing. TPO will install easily over the old roof TPO is one of those materials which fits easily over an old commercial roof. The heat-welded seams do not leak, and the TPO does not shrink under the summer sun. A significant advantage of TPO is puncture resistance. If you have a lot of foot traffic on your roof, then TPO is for your building. A team of qualified roofing technicians will install your new roof and leave you with a much-improved structure. Shingles can be difficult We often get calls from clients looking to replace a shingle roof. A major expense can be the removal and disposal of the old shingles. Yes, it is possible […]
EPDM Seams and Flashings – What’s Changed?
EPDM has always been known as one of the most durable roofing products available. Its high UV resistance and ability to stand up to weather over time has made it a very popular flat roofing product, decade after decade. Its ability to resist ponding water on roofs has also made it very popular as a man-made pond liner, among its many uses. However, EPDM has always had one big weakness: seams and flashings. Alternative single-ply roof systems, like TPO and PVC, can be heat welded. If completed correctly by a knowledgeable crew, a heat weld is the strongest bond available. It essentially welds the flashings and seams together with the base PVC or TPO membrane. With EPDM, heat welding isn’t possible, so the seams are instead bonded together with adhesives. In the early days of EPDM, seams and flashings were only expected to last 10 to 15 years. The reason was the technology they had at the time, which was a product called splicing cement. On most early EPDM roof systems, the seams were glued together using this method. Some manufacturers used caulking products to hold off water penetrating the seams, which could help buy some time. However, after a period of time, the result would always be the same – open seams and flashings. The cure to this problem was an expensive one: re-do […]
Roof Proposals – What to Keep an Eye Out For
Making sense of roofing proposals from different contractors offering varying solutions can be very daunting. Just understanding the myriad of solutions can be difficult enough without adding in products, terminology, etc. What makes it extraordinarily difficult, in my opinion, is when proposals are vague. In flat commercial roofing, there are a few key points to keep an eye out for in a quality proposal. They are: Tear Off or Go Over: If there are two or more roofs, or if the underlying insulation is wet, a tear off is generally required. If one roof is in place and only a few areas are wet, then the wet areas can be replaced on a limited basis. However, in flat commercial roofing, there is a big cost difference between removing the existing roof system and going over it. Therefore, it is very important to know what solution your contractor is proposing. Insulation Thickness and “R” value: Typically, in a go-over application, a minimum of 1” polyisocyanurate insulation or ½” HD polyisocyanurate insulation is used as a separation between the old roof system and the new roof system. However, if a full tear off is being completed, building code typically requires that the insulation be brought back to code. In 2020, this could mean installing 4.5” to 5.2” of insulation, depending on what building code calls for in […]
Roofing Materials Compared For Lifespan And Durability
Lifespan and durability are not the same for all roofing materials. Without getting service from a roofing material, what is the point of your investment? When looking for a replacement roof, or choosing a new one, take time to investigate these two qualities. The short time spent looking at your alternatives may save you a lot of money in the future. There are many roofing materials available, so making the right choice may not be easy. When you know what you are looking for, then the decision becomes a simple one. To help make that decision take a look at your alternatives. TPO is one choice TPO has proven to be good on flat roofs. It is easy to apply and a cheaper alternative to other roofing materials. The lifespan of TPO is around 20 to 30 years, depending on the thickness of the membrane and how it is installed. A significant factor in the life of TPO is the quality of the material, which can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Always insist on top-quality TPO from a reputable manufacturer like Carlisle, Firestone, or GAF. Additionally, spend the extra money on the thicker 60 mil or even 80 mil TPO. The extra thickness will add years to the lifespan of the roof. TPO is durable and does not corrode. TPO is typically heat welded where […]
TPO versus EPDM: which system is better?
One of the most common questions we get is: Which roof system is better, black “Rubber” EPDM or white “Thermoplastic” TPO? Both are similar in price, both come with 15-30 year warranties, both are made by reputable manufacturers, and both are widely installed throughout New England. So that begs the question, is one roofing material actually better than the other? Key Differences In my view, neither roof system is definitively better than the other. However, they do have key differences that may have an impact depending on your building. These differences include: Our approach at Chaffee Roofing is to evaluate each building’s unique needs and requirements before recommending a roof system. In a restaurant, for example, TPO is typically the better option due to grease and oil output. On a manufacturing plant that operates at a higher temperature than typical inside the building, EPDM would be a better option. On a strip mall, with multiple different tenants, it’s a toss-up based on current and future use. In our view, neither system is definitively better than the other, it’s more about how your building is used and which roof system is a better match based on the building’s needs. Call Us Your roofing project is only as good as the installing company and the product they use. On TPO roof systems, this is especially important since […]
5 Ways To Make Your EPDM Roof Last Longer
At Chaffee Roofing we know the roof completes a building. You invest money in the structure and you want it to last. Quality always does. Many of our clients choose EPDM because of its long-life properties alone. One question we get asked a lot by clients is: ‘how to make the EPDM roof last longer?’ Every roof requires maintenance, and it is not any different with EPDM. With this in mind we put together a few tips to help make your EPDM roof last longer. Our list of 5 ways to make your EPDM roof last longer is: Let’s take a closer look at each point. Regular inspections are key As with all roofs, you need to keep an eye on EPDM. After a storm you should inspect the roof and repair any damage. This should be a detailed inspection, looking at joints, seams, and flashings. You should also check rooftop units to make sure everything is where it should be. Only by finding a problem before it takes hold can you minimize the damage from storms and bad weather. Prevention is better than the cure This is very true when it comes to roofs. Take a look around outside your building. Overhanging branches can do a lot of damage during a storm. Trim trees and keep any new plantings away from the building. Reduce […]
What Makes EPDM Roofing So Much More Durable
EPDM stands for Ethylene Propylene Diene terpolymer Membrane, but it could also mean Excellent Prime Durable Membrane. It is an ideal choice for flat roofs. In New England you will see it in use over large commercial buildings as well as on the roofs of smaller companies and office blocks. We use it extensively at Chaffee Roofing, not only because our clients request it but due to the quality and durability of the product. Our clients often ask what is so good about EPDM and what makes it so durable? Let’s take a closer look behind the letters, to see why EPDM is such a popular roofing membrane. Resistance is in the design The design of the EPDM polymer makes it very resistant to exposure to UV light, ozone and the extremes of cold temperature. All this adds up to a membrane which will not crack under sunlight nor the worst of our winter weather. EPDM is also protected from attack by pollutants in the air from the unique design of its chemical components. Dealing with heat The EPDM roofing product has carbon fillers in its composition. The fillers will absorb the UV rays of the sun and convert the energy into heat. The EPDM roof will release the heat slowly back into the atmosphere and will not deteriorate under the pressure of hot days. […]