With the right upkeep and weather conditions, your standard rubber commercial roof will last anywhere from 40 to 50 years.
This, of course, assumes proper and preventative maintenance. No roof will last half a century on its own without preventative maintenance. And while that may sound like a hassle, preventative maintenance entails simple inspections and patchwork that address minor damages before they accumulate.
If your area experiences extreme weather each year, the rubber roof life expectancy decreases by a few years. Still, rubber roofs are generally very durable and meant to last a long time.
Benefits of Rubber Roofs in 2023
If you are a contractor or are familiar with the roofing game, you may have heard of EPDM. This is Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer, more commonly known as rubber roofing. Most contractors will recommend that commercial property owners invest in these rubber roofs.
Rubber membrane roofs have advanced durability, life expectancy, and cost per square foot, making them one of the best replacement options for any damaged roofing material.
And while it certainly has disadvantages, there are more than enough reasons that EPDM roofs are one of the most common options for commercial properties.
Ease of Installation
Properly installed rubber roofs make your roof seamless. When there are no seams in your roofing, it is more moisture-resistant and will be virtually leak-free.
With other roofs, there is the risk that shingles or individual panels could peel and rise up, exposing the roof underneath to the additional risk of leaking. But with the seamless rubber roof installation, you no longer have to worry about those pesky leaks.
Rubber roofs have the same properties as PVC, TPO, and other roofing materials that are more expensive to install. Again, it all comes down to the quality of the installation.
Subpar or faulty installations eliminate the full range of capabilities that the rubber roof can offer.
Lightweight
Your standard rubber roof weighs just about two pounds per square foot. This makes it lighter than something like modified bitumen, but it remains more durable.
Being lighter in weight also means that it puts less stress on the roof over time. This can do wonders for the health of your commercial roof over the life of the building.
Its lighter weight also means that it is easier to transport and install. With heavier materials, it can be a hassle to get them up and down ladders or stairs, but the rubber material is much easier to transport and makes the overall installation a bit easier as well.
Durability
As mentioned previously, rubber roofs are very durable, on a level with PVC and TPO. EPDM is actually durable enough that it can support things like rooftop gardens as well. Because the material is seamless, it can lock out moisture and prevent the growth of any fungi or other roof-harming life forms.
With a proper installation and yearly preventative maintenance – inspections to check for any cracks in the façade that could allow for moisture to enter – your rubber commercial roof should last at least 40 years, if not more.
Professional Rubber Roof Installation
The first course of action for installing a rubber roof should be to call in a commercial roofing contractor. A contractor or roofer will have a litany of experience when it comes to installing these roofs, and the chance that something goes wrong will drop drastically.
If you insist on doing the work yourself, there are steps to follow to ensure that the job is done correctly and your rubber roof is installed properly.
Rubber Roof Installation Steps
Roof Cleaning
The first step is to make sure the roof is prepared. This means that you need to clean the roof. Any debris or dust that remains could potentially weaken the adhesive of the membrane. The whole point of the EPDM membrane is that it needs to be able to stick to the roof’s surface.
Gutter Inspection
The next step is to inspect areas of your roof with a gutter. You may need to install a batten to extend your roof towards the gutter in these spaces. This will direct rainwater drips to the gutter instead of behind the gutter; this prevents damage to the supporting wall and fasteners that are underneath the gutter itself.
Secure Flashing
Make certain that you prepare the areas of your wall that would accept flashing – this redirects moisture from the wall towards the rubber membrane – and remove any excess brick mortar using something like a mortar chisel. This will ensure that the flashings attach properly.
Apply Rubber
Lastly, prepare and install the rubber layer. Again, it is key that the rubber membrane bonds with the roof because this is how it seals and becomes seamless.
Apply the rubber to the roof evenly, and make sure to unfold the rubber after you have finished applying the adhesive. This ensures that it won’t dry out without attaching to the membrane itself. When you are done applying, cut away the excess rubber to complete the fit.
Final Thoughts on How Long Rubber Roofs Last
Rubber roofing is becoming more common due to greater durability and lower installation costs. If you own a commercial building, you may want to consider installing a rubber roof to prolong the roof’s life for a long time to come. A rubber roof can last 50 years with proper installation and a favorable climate.
