EPDM membrane
A 45 or 60 mil EPDM sheet is installed in black or white.
Flat Roofing
Rubber Roof Installation Fanwood, NJ
A Fanwood 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) 663-5020 reaches a nearby rubber roof installer.
EPDM is the material most people mean when they say rubber roof. EPDM is sold in wide rolls, typically 45 or 60 mil thick, and it stretches and recovers as the roof moves through hot and cold seasons. That flexibility is why it suits so many homes.
The first decision is how the membrane is held down. The sheet can be glued to the substrate, fastened with plates at the seams or laid loose under a layer of stone. On most homes, fully adhered EPDM is the usual choice because it handles wind well and stays smooth.
Then comes thickness and color. Sixty mil EPDM costs a little more than 45 mil but resists punctures better and lasts longer. 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.
Looking for Fanwood rubber roof installation? Call (908) 663-5020 to talk to a local roofer.
Call nowThe process
What happens during a rubber roof installation
Here is how a roofer typically installs an EPDM roof.
Prepare the deck
Damaged decking is replaced and drainage is confirmed before any insulation goes down. On a replacement, old layers come off first.
Install insulation
Polyiso insulation and a cover board create a flat, firm base for the rubber. Tapered boards add slope where needed.
Roll out the membrane
The EPDM is unrolled, positioned and left to relax so wrinkles flatten before any adhesive goes on. Seam layout follows the direction of drainage.
Apply adhesive
Bonding adhesive is rolled onto both the cover board and the underside of the rubber, then the sheet is folded back down and broomed smooth. Each half gets the same treatment in turn. Brooming from the middle outward pushes trapped air to the edges.
Seaming
Laps are primed and joined with seam tape, then rolled to remove air. Lap sealant goes along exposed tape edges.
Flash the details
Perimeter edge metal, wall flashing and pipe boots complete the roof. Counter flashing covers the top of wall flashing. Before the crew leaves, seams are probed for any loose spots.
What is included
What goes into a rubber roof
Seams
Laps are joined with seam tape and is checked before closeout.
Cover board
Insulation adds energy savings and slope for a smooth surface.
Tear-off
The base is cleared and checked so the roof sits on solid wood.
Flashing
Walls, curbs, pipes and edges are flashed to keep water out.
Related service
EPDM Roof Installation Fanwood, NJ
Installing EPDM well comes down to preparation, seams and flashing. A flat, dry base, properly timed adhesive and carefully primed seams are what make EPDM last. Weather matters too, since adhesives and primers need dry conditions. The field and the flashings may get different adhesives, since vertical surfaces need a stronger grip.
For a Fanwood 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
Rubber roofs in Fanwood are common on porches, garages, additions and flat sections of older homes. Homes in Fanwood and nearby places including Westfield, Plainfield, Watchung and Mountainside 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 Fanwood, NJ or nearby towns like Westfield, Plainfield, Watchung and Mountainside, call (908) 663-5020 to reach a roofer who covers your street.
How the weather here affects roofs around Fanwood
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, which is how ice dams form and back water up under the shingles. Coastal storms and heavy spring rain drive water sideways into flashing, valleys and old chimneys. That is why roof repair in Fanwood is busiest after a hard winter and before the next one.
Why call
Why act early
Less damage
A roof problem fixed early rarely spreads to the decking, the insulation or the ceilings.
Local knowledge
Local roofers see the same roofs and storm damage across Fanwood and nearby towns.
Know what happens next
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Rubber Roof Installation FAQ
Which EPDM thickness should I choose?
Most residential EPDM is 45 or 60 mil. Thicker 60 mil is tougher and longer lasting. Heavy duty options exist too.
Should my rubber roof be black or white?
Black and white each have their place. Black holds heat and white reflects it. A roofer can recommend what fits your home.
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.
Can a rubber roof go over an existing 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. If the old roof is wet, it must come off. The roofer tests the old roof for moisture before recommending a recover.
How long does a new rubber roof last?
Rubber roofs often last decades. Thickness, seam quality and maintenance all affect its life. Small repairs are easy to make.
More questions? Call (908) 663-5020
Other services that may help
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
Flat roof installation from the deck and tapered insulation up to the seams, flashing and edge metal, so water drains instead of ponding.
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
Full replacement of failing flat roofs, with a moisture survey deciding tear-off or recover, and new flashing at every wall, curb and drain.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesNeed rubber roof installation in Fanwood, NJ?
Call (908) 663-5020 for a local roofer in Fanwood and nearby towns.