EPDM Roofing: The letters EPDM stand for Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer. This combination gives EPDM a number of unique properties that make the material ideally suited for use as roofing in the commercial buildings. In short: EPDM is a thin but extremely strong layer of waterproof rubber.
This durable roof covering has been used for many years on slightly sloping and flat roofs, both for new construction and renovation, because they perfectly meet the exact building standards.
EPDM is the newest successor to the roofing materials and it has a fast-growing market since the product has a long life span and it is cheap when compared to the other roofing materials. EPDM roof covering that was first laid long ago ie. 30 years ago, is still found on the roofs in excellent condition, that is why we can say that the lifetime of EPDM is at least above 50 years.
Although EPDM roofing has been around for more than half a century, it has only gained popularity with the general public in recent decades. This type of roofing offers various functional advantages compared to traditional versions of bitumen roofing.
Pros of EPDM roofing:
Affordable Price:
The price of EPDM is lower than the price of most roofing materials, especially if we look at the lifetime of the other roofing materials, EPDM lasts at least 50 years, this means that EPDM is a very cheap product.
Easy To Install:
EPDM is very easy to install. The application of the EPDM is made very easy because EPDM is lightweight, flexible and has a stretch of ± 400%. For smaller roofs, it can be easily installed in one go. For larger roofs, you need an expert to correctly install the EPDM roofing. So that it fits properly with good rigidness without any faults.
Offers Good Resistance:
The product is made in such a way that it is resistant to alkalis, salts and acids, and it is also resistant to micro-organisms and extreme weather conditions. And since EPDM is made with natural materials, it is UV-resistant, which means that the material does not harden under the influence of the sun, which ensures that EPDM does not weather itself.
Sustainability:
Today, EPDM roofing provides benefits to many buildings both under the ice-cold conditions of Alaska and in the scorching heat of the Middle East. This success is due to the durability and flexibility with which the roofing film is processed and maintained.
Cons of EPDM roofing:
Sensitivity to chlorine:
EPDM rubber is extremely resistant to almost every conceivable substance and load. Yet one ingredient is an exception to this rule: chlorine. EPDM cannot tolerate chlorine. EPDM roofing is particularly sensitive to chlorine attack. So the use of chlorine-containing agents on your roof is not a good choice. For example, you cannot use the roof covering near a swimming pool.
Shrinkage of the rubber:
Over time, the EPDM roofs start to shrink. This shrinking can lead to the formation of cracks which would result in leakages. You can actually avoid this by coating your EPDM roof with paints.
Not Aesthetic Appealing:
Since the color of the rubber roof is black, people don’t find this commercial roof attractive to their eyes. You can paint your roofs with different acrylic paint to make it look attractive.