Rubber roofing, sometimes referred to as EPDM or TPO roofing, is a popular choice for commercial roof installation. It holds several benefits for more extensive facilities that need a cost-effective roofing system that will also perform well in severe weather conditions.
But for these reasons and others, rubber roofing may also be the answer to your residential roofing needs. The fact is that rubber roofing presents many benefits and only a few downsides.
Whether you require a high-performance roofing system for your home or your business, you should know all the pros and cons of rubber roofing.
In the following post, Roofer’s Guild will review the advantages and disadvantages of this popular roofing material.
Key Takeaway
Rubber roofing presents many benefits like affordability, weather resistance, and longevity compared to relatively few drawbacks like heat absorption.
Benefits of Rubber Roofing
Rubber roofing has been around since the ’60s. The story of how it became a popular option is pretty impressive, too.
EPDM roofing had its heyday in the ’70s because, back then, an oil embargo in the Middle East made high-quality asphalt roofing materials both hard to come by and expensive.
People started turning to rubber roofing as an alternative and quickly noticed its many benefits.
EPDM roofing has been around for over half a century, and there are plenty of reasons why:
Affordability
EPDM roofing is one of the most inexpensive materials you can select for your property. It can cost as little as $0.50 per square foot whereas other rubber materials like PVC can cost as much as $3.00 per sqaure foot.
Ease of Installation
Rubber roofing materials are very lightweight and more straightforward to install than many other roofing systems. Rather than being welded together to form a tight seal, most rubber roofing systems are continuous, single-ply.
They then adhere to the roofing substrate with industrial roofing adhesive—no need for cutting, shearing, or welding. As a result of the ease of installing rubber roofing systems, the cost lowers, making it even more affordable.
Safety
A fire hazard is one of the most significant drawbacks of many other roofing systems. But rubber roofing is extremely flame retardant.
Having rubber roofing on your building is equivalent to placing a fire-resistant shield on top of your building.
Not only can it delay the spread of flames during a structure fire, but it can also prevent flames from catching from a structure fire nearby.
Weather Resistance
Rubber roofing is composed of a cross-linked material. Such material is exceptionally resistant to severe weather because of its chemical makeup.
It is resilient and stands up to hail impact damage very well; it doesn’t catch fire even when lightning strikes and provides excellent water-proofing even in torrential downpours.
Plus, rubber roofing is inherently a low-profile roofing system, so it won’t be a hazard in high winds either.
Lowered Insurance
Insurance companies are willing to offer discounts between 5 and 35 percent if you install a roof that protects against impact, hail, and lightning damage.
As explained in the previous point, rubber roofing is resistant to all such damage. Installing a rubber roof could save you even more money in annual insurance coverage costs.
Longevity
Seams are typically what make a roofing system weak. When there are many seams, there are many opportunities for water to get between those seams, damage the roof, and wreak havoc on the entire building.
But with rubber roofing, there are little to no seams created during installation. A lack of seams makes it an incredibly durable roofing option.
An adequately installed rubber roofing system (particularly EPDM roofing) can last for 50+ years.
Disadvantages of Rubber Roofing
There is not much to mention regarding the drawbacks of this kind of roofing system. And in fact, many of the flaws are avoidable with a few tweaks.
Appearance
Rubber roofing looks very plain, industrial, and sometimes downright ugly. Many people don’t even consider it an option for their homes because it can make a house look.
However, some manufacturers are now producing rubber roofing strips that resemble standard shingles.
Heat Absorption
Another typical drawback of rubber roofing systems is that the materials usually come in flat black, which can absorb a lot of heat and drive up your cooling costs.
But once again, it’s avoidable. Rubber roofing now comes in lighter, more UV-reflective colors to address this shortcoming.
Furthermore, rubber roofing materials can easily be coated with acrylic paint to make them more reflective and add another layer of protection to the material.
Load Bearing
Many people ask us, “Can you walk on a rubber roof?” The answer is usually maybe.
Rubber roofs can take light foot traffic but require fortification if you need to load building and construction materials onto them if you add a balcony, deck, or second story to your building.
Many people see this as a disadvantage, but it can be negated by adding additional materials to make them stronger.
Helping You Make Yhe Right Rubber Roofing Choice
If you require a rubber roofing contractor in your area, try searching Google for rubber roofing near me. Select one of the companies that appears within the Local 3-Pack and give them a call or submit a form.
You can read some of their previous customer reviews to determine whether the company is trustworthy and worth your investment. You might also ask some of your friends and neighbors for a roofing referral.
