Insulation
Rigid insulation and a cover board form the base and gives the adhesive a firm grip.
Flat Roofing
Rubber Roof Installation Garfield, NJ
Installing a rubber roof in Garfield means choosing the EPDM thickness and attachment method, then flashing walls, curbs and edges so the membrane can move without tearing, with as few seams as possible. Dial (551) 348-2856 to talk with a local roofer about a new rubber roof.
Rubber roofing usually means EPDM, though some people use the term for any single-ply membrane. 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.
EPDM can be attached in three main ways. 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.
Two more decisions round out the plan. A 60 mil sheet is tougher than 45 mil for roofs that see foot traffic. Black is standard and holds heat, while white reflects it. The installer also plans how the membrane laps under shingles above it and up the wall beside it, where leaks tend to start.
Many rubber roof installation calls in Garfield also turn up a need for rubber roof repair or flat roof installation.
Dealing with this in Garfield, NJ right now? Call (551) 348-2856 and describe the problem to a roofer who works in Garfield.
Call nowThe process
The rubber roof installation process
Here is how a roofer typically installs an EPDM roof.
Check the base
The deck is repaired and checked for slope, ideally a quarter inch per foot toward drains or gutters. Old roofing is removed if the roof is being replaced.
Add the cover board
Insulation boards go down for energy savings and slope, topped by a smooth cover board. Slope can be built in at this stage.
Sheet layout
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.
Adhering
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. The process repeats for the second half. Any trapped air is worked out so the sheet lies flat and does not blister.
Seal the seams
Laps are primed and joined with seam tape, then rolled to remove air. Lap sealant goes along exposed tape edges.
Flashing
Flashing goes up walls and around curbs, with boots at pipes and new edge metal at the perimeter. 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
Seams
Seams are primed, taped and rolled and is checked before closeout.
Rubber sheet
The rubber membrane is adhered or fastened over a clean, dry base.
Deck preparation
Old roofing is removed and the deck is repaired before new layers go down.
Edge metal
Every penetration and edge is sealed to keep water out.
Related service
EPDM Roof Installation Garfield, NJ
EPDM roof installation is straightforward in concept and demanding in the details. 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. The field and the flashings may get different adhesives, since vertical surfaces need a stronger grip.
In Garfield, an experienced EPDM installer leaves room for the membrane to move and age. 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. It is worth asking how the edges will be secured.
Local help
Rubber Roof Installation Near Me
Rubber roofs in Garfield are common on porches, garages, additions and flat sections of older homes. Across Garfield and nearby towns like Lodi, Elmwood Park, Wallington and Passaic, EPDM handles storms, sun and cold well when it is installed with good seams and drainage, which is why the seams and flashing deserve careful attention.
For rubber roof installation in Garfield, NJ or nearby towns like Lodi, Elmwood Park, Wallington and Passaic, call (551) 348-2856 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 Garfield is busiest after a hard winter and before the next one.
Why call
Why fix it now
Less damage
Small roof problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Familiar with local homes
Local roofers see the same roofs and storm damage across Garfield and nearby towns.
Straight answers
Ask the roofer about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Rubber Roof Installation questions
What color EPDM is best?
Black and white each have their place. Black holds heat and white reflects it. A roofer can recommend what fits your home.
Which EPDM thickness should I choose?
EPDM usually comes in 45 or 60 mil for homes. The thicker sheet holds up better to traffic and weather. Thicker 90 mil membrane exists for heavy use.
Can a rubber roof go over an existing roof?
EPDM can sometimes go over an existing roof. 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.
Is a rubber roof the same as TPO?
They are related but not the same. Black EPDM is taped and stretchy, and white TPO is welded and reflective. Each suits different roofs.
What is the lifespan of a new EPDM roof?
Rubber roofs often last decades. Regular inspections help it reach its full life. Small repairs are easy to make.
More questions? Call (551) 348-2856
Related services
Rubber Roof Repair
Repairs for leaking rubber roofs, from peeling seams to pulled flashing at walls and curbs, 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
White, heat-welded TPO single-ply roofing for low-slope homes and buildings, 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 servicesGet rubber roof installation help in Garfield
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