Seams
Every seam gets primer and tape for a lasting bond.
Flat Roofing
Rubber Roof Installation Tenafly, NJ
Installing a rubber roof in Tenafly means choosing the EPDM thickness and attachment method, then flashing walls, curbs and edges so the membrane can move without tearing, and explain each choice before the sheet is rolled out. One call to (551) 355-3330 reaches a nearby rubber roof installer.
EPDM is the material most people mean when they say rubber roof. 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. Adhered, fastened and ballasted systems each suit different buildings and wind conditions. For homes, adhered EPDM is the most common choice.
Two more decisions round out the plan. 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. The installer also plans how the membrane laps under shingles above it and up the wall beside it, where leaks tend to start.
Rubber Roof Installation is often paired with rubber roof repair and flat roof installation, depending on the cause.
Looking for Tenafly rubber roof installation? Call (551) 355-3330 to reach a nearby roofing contractor.
Call nowThe process
The rubber roof installation process
A rubber roof is built in layers, with the seams and flashing as the critical details.
Prepare the deck
Damaged decking is replaced and drainage is confirmed before any insulation goes down. A tear-off comes first on existing roofs.
Insulation
Rigid insulation, often polyiso, is fastened with plates and screws, then a cover board goes on top. 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.
Adhering
Contact adhesive goes on the board and the membrane, and once it is tacky, the sheet is laid down and brushed. Each half gets the same treatment in turn. Any trapped air is worked out so the sheet lies flat and does not blister.
Tape the laps
Laps are primed and joined with seam tape, then rolled to remove air. Tape edges are finished with lap sealant.
Flashing
Walls and curbs get membrane flashing held by termination bar, pipes get pre-molded boots and corners get uncured flashing. Counter flashing covers the top of wall flashing. The last step is probing each seam and patch for gaps.
What is included
Parts of a new EPDM roof
EPDM membrane
Wide sheets of EPDM cover the roof in black or white.
Tear-off
The base is cleared and checked before new layers go down.
Flashing
Every penetration and edge is sealed for a finished roof.
Cover board
A cover board protects the insulation and gives the adhesive a firm grip.
Related service
EPDM Roof Installation Tenafly, NJ
Installing EPDM well comes down to preparation, seams and flashing. 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. Installers work in dry weather so the bond holds. Some installers use water-based adhesive for the field of the roof and solvent-based adhesive at walls and curbs, where the grip has to be strongest.
A good Tenafly installer also plans for movement. 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. Ask how the roofer secures the perimeter.
Local help
Rubber Roof Installation Near Me
In Tenafly, EPDM is a popular choice for low slope roofs on additions and attached garages. From Tenafly to neighboring communities such as Cresskill, Englewood, Englewood Cliffs and Demarest, rubber roofs that drain properly and have well sealed flashing last the longest, so installation details matter as much as the material.
For rubber roof installation in Tenafly, NJ or nearby towns like Cresskill, Englewood, Englewood Cliffs and Demarest, call (551) 355-3330 to reach a roofer who covers your street.
Roofs in this climate
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. Strong coastal storms push rain into every weak spot at the flashing and valleys. Most homeowners in Tenafly, NJ have the roof checked in the fall and again after the snow melts.
Why call
Why not wait
Smaller repairs
Small roof problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Familiar with local homes
Local roofers see the same roofs and storm damage across Tenafly and nearby towns.
Clear next steps
Ask the roofer about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Rubber Roof Installation questions
Should my rubber roof be black or white?
Black and white each have their place. White helps in sunny climates, and black is common where winters are long. Ask about both options.
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. Wet insulation or multiple layers mean a tear-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. Regular inspections help it reach its full life. Small repairs are easy to make.
How thick should a rubber roof be?
Most residential EPDM is 45 or 60 mil. Thicker 60 mil is tougher and longer lasting. Thicker 90 mil membrane exists for heavy use.
Is a rubber roof the same as 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. A roofer can help you choose.
More questions? Call (551) 355-3330
Other services that may help
Rubber Roof Repair
Repairs for leaking rubber roofs, from peeling seams to pulled flashing at walls and curbs, after the real leak point is found.
Learn moreFlat Roof Installation
Installing TPO, PVC, EPDM or modified bitumen roofs on additions, garages, porches and flat-roof homes, planned around how the roof will be used.
Learn moreTPO Roofing
TPO membrane roofs installed over new insulation or in place of a worn flat roof, with seams welded into one watertight sheet.
Learn moreFlat Roof Replacement
Full replacement of failing flat roofs, with a moisture survey deciding tear-off or recover, with tapered insulation where water used to sit.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesNeed rubber roof installation in Tenafly, NJ?
Call now for Tenafly rubber roof installation and help in the towns around it.