Insulation
A cover board protects the insulation and gives the adhesive a firm grip.
Flat Roofing
Rubber Roof Installation Rahway, NJ
A Rahway roofer who installs EPDM can put a new rubber roof on a flat or low slope section of almost any home, so the roof handles sun, cold and storms for decades. Call (908) 562-6861 to reach a local roofer.
EPDM is the material most people mean when they say rubber roof. The membrane is thick, stretchy rubber that tolerates temperature swings and resists hail and sunlight well. Unlike TPO and PVC, its seams are taped rather than heat welded.
EPDM can be attached in three main ways. Fully adhered roofs bond the whole sheet to the cover board with adhesive, mechanically attached roofs use plates and fasteners along the seams and ballasted roofs hold a loose sheet down with river stone. On most homes, fully adhered EPDM is the usual choice because it handles wind well and stays smooth.
Two more decisions round out the plan. Sixty mil EPDM costs a little more than 45 mil but resists punctures better and lasts longer. White EPDM suits sunny roofs, and black suits cooler climates. The installer also plans how the membrane laps under shingles above it and up the wall beside it, where leaks tend to start.
If the problem goes deeper than it first looked, a Rahway roofer may also recommend rubber roof repair or flat roof installation.
Need rubber roof installation in Rahway? Call (908) 562-6861 to reach a nearby roofing contractor.
Call nowThe process
The rubber roof installation process
Each layer is set up to give the membrane a smooth, solid base.
Check the base
The roofer checks the deck for rot, gaps and loose sheets and confirms the roof has enough slope to drain. A tear-off comes first on existing roofs.
Add the cover board
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. Seams are planned so they run with the slope.
Bond the membrane
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. Each half gets the same treatment in turn. Air pockets left under the sheet can turn into blisters later, so the crew works the rubber flat from the center out.
Seal the seams
Seam areas are cleaned and primed, then seam tape is applied and rolled firmly with a seam roller. Tape edges are finished with lap sealant.
Flash the details
Perimeter edge metal, wall flashing and pipe boots complete the roof. The top edge is sealed and covered. Before the crew leaves, seams are probed for any loose spots.
What is included
What goes into a rubber roof
Seams
Seams are primed, taped and rolled for a lasting bond.
Flashing
Walls, curbs, pipes and edges are flashed for a finished roof.
Deck preparation
The base is cleared and checked for a sound start.
Rubber sheet
A 45 or 60 mil EPDM sheet is installed in black or white.
Related service
EPDM Roof Installation Rahway, NJ
EPDM roof installation is straightforward in concept and demanding in the details. A flat, dry base, properly timed adhesive and carefully primed seams are what make EPDM last. Weather matters too, since adhesives and primers need dry conditions. Different adhesives may be used in the field and at the flashings, each matched to the job it does.
A good Rahway 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 about edge securement before work starts.
Local help
Rubber Roof Installation Near Me
Rubber roofs in Rahway are common on porches, garages, additions and flat sections of older homes. Homes in Rahway and nearby places including Avenel, Colonia, Linden and Iselin benefit from rubber roofing because it flexes with the seasons, and the right installer makes a big difference.
Searching for rubber roof installation near me from Rahway or Avenel, Colonia, Linden and Iselin? Call (908) 562-6861 to talk to a roofer who works in your part of town.
How the weather here affects roofs around Rahway
Winters here are long and cold, with snow on the roof for weeks at a time and plenty of nights below freezing. When warm attic air melts the snow, the meltwater runs down and freezes again at the 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. Most homeowners in Rahway, 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
Roofers in Rahway know the roof types and weather wear common in local homes.
Know what happens next
Ask the roofer about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Rubber Roof Installation FAQ
Can a rubber roof go over an existing roof?
Recovering depends on the condition of the old roof. Codes generally allow one recover over a dry, sound roof. Otherwise, a tear-off is needed. Core samples or a moisture scan show whether the old roof is dry enough.
What is the difference between EPDM and TPO?
The two are different materials. Black EPDM is taped and stretchy, and white TPO is welded and reflective. Both are common on flat roofs.
Which EPDM thickness should I choose?
EPDM usually comes in 45 or 60 mil for homes. Sixty mil resists punctures better and lasts longer, which helps on roofs with foot traffic or hail. Heavy duty options exist too.
What is the lifespan of a new EPDM roof?
Rubber roofs often last decades. Thickness, seam quality and maintenance all affect its life. Patching EPDM is straightforward.
Should my rubber roof be black or white?
The choice depends on the climate and the space below. Black EPDM absorbs heat, which can help in cold climates, while white EPDM reflects sunlight and keeps the rooms below cooler. A roofer can recommend what fits your home.
More questions? Call (908) 562-6861
Other services that may help
Rubber Roof Repair
Repairs for leaking rubber roofs, from peeling seams to pulled flashing at walls and curbs, never with tar or asphalt cement that ruins the rubber.
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, built around proper drainage, flashing and edge metal.
Learn moreFlat Roof Replacement
Tearing off or recovering a worn flat roof and installing a new membrane, insulation and edge metal, and new flashing at every wall, curb and drain.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesNeed rubber roof installation in Rahway, NJ?
Call (908) 562-6861 for a local roofer in Rahway and nearby towns.