Flashing
Every penetration and edge is sealed with materials made for EPDM.
Flat Roofing
Rubber Roof Installation Cresskill, NJ
Installing a rubber roof in Cresskill means choosing the EPDM thickness and attachment method, then flashing walls, curbs and edges so the membrane can move without tearing, with as few seams as possible. Call (551) 395-0321 to reach a local roofer.
A true rubber roof is EPDM, a synthetic rubber membrane used on flat and low slope roofs for decades. 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.
The first decision is how the membrane is held down. 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. Residential roofs are most often fully adhered.
Thickness and color are the next choices. Sixty mil EPDM costs a little more than 45 mil but resists punctures better and lasts longer. Black is standard and holds heat, while white reflects it. The installer also plans how the membrane laps under shingles above it and up the wall beside it, where leaks tend to start.
Many rubber roof installation calls in Cresskill also turn up a need for rubber roof repair or flat roof installation.
Looking for Cresskill rubber roof installation? Call (551) 395-0321 and describe the problem to a roofer who works in Cresskill.
Call nowThe process
What happens during a rubber roof installation
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. On a replacement, old layers come off first.
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.
Lay the sheet
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.
Apply adhesive
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. Then the other half is done the same way. Any trapped air is worked out so the sheet lies flat and does not blister.
Tape the laps
Primer and seam tape join the sheets, with T-joints covered by extra patches. Lap sealant goes along exposed tape edges.
Flash the details
Walls and curbs get membrane flashing held by termination bar, pipes get pre-molded boots and corners get uncured flashing. Termination bar and counter flashing seal the wall edge. The last step is probing each seam and patch for gaps.
What is included
Parts of a new EPDM roof
Cover board
Insulation adds energy savings and slope under the rubber.
Seam tape
Laps are joined with seam tape and is checked before closeout.
Tear-off
Decking is inspected and replaced where needed for a sound start.
EPDM membrane
The rubber membrane is adhered or fastened over a clean, dry base.
Related service
EPDM Roof Installation Cresskill, NJ
EPDM roof installation is straightforward in concept and demanding in the details. Rushing the adhesive, skipping primer or leaving wrinkles under the sheet are the common mistakes. Dry, mild days give the best bond. The field and the flashings may get different adhesives, since vertical surfaces need a stronger grip.
For a Cresskill home, the installer thinks ahead to how the roof will behave over the years. Perimeter securement and proper flashing help prevent the shrinkage problems older rubber roofs show. It is worth asking how the edges will be secured.
Local help
Rubber Roof Installation Near Me
In Cresskill, EPDM is a popular choice for low slope roofs on additions and attached garages. From Cresskill to neighboring communities such as Demarest, Tenafly, Dumont and Closter, rubber roofs that drain properly and have well sealed flashing last the longest, which is why the seams and flashing deserve careful attention.
Need rubber roof installation around Cresskill? Call (551) 395-0321 for a Cresskill roofer who serves the towns around it too.
Roofs in this climate
Cold winters bring snow, ice and a long stretch of freezing nights. Heat escaping from the attic melts snow on the upper roof, and the water refreezes at the colder 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 Cresskill, NJ have the roof checked in the fall and again after the snow melts.
Why call
Why act early
Drier ceilings
Small roof problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Roofers who know Cresskill
Roofers in Cresskill 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
Is it possible to install EPDM over the old 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. Otherwise, a tear-off is needed. A moisture check of the old roof settles the question before any work is planned.
Is a rubber roof the same as TPO?
The two are different materials. EPDM is usually black, very flexible and seamed with tape, while TPO is usually white, more reflective and heat welded at the seams. Both are common on flat roofs.
How long does a new rubber roof last?
EPDM can last 25 years or longer. Good seams, drainage and occasional checks make the difference. Small repairs are easy to make.
Which EPDM thickness should I choose?
EPDM usually comes in 45 or 60 mil for homes. The thicker sheet holds up better to traffic and weather. Heavy duty options exist too.
What color EPDM is best?
Black and white each have their place. White helps in sunny climates, and black is common where winters are long. Ask about both options.
More questions? Call (551) 395-0321
Other services that may help
Rubber Roof Repair
Fixing open seams, punctures, shrinkage and split flashing on EPDM rubber roofs, 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, with every wall, curb and penetration flashed properly.
Learn moreTPO Roofing
White, heat-welded TPO single-ply roofing for low-slope homes and buildings, sized to the deck, the drains and the way the roof is used.
Learn moreFlat Roof Replacement
Tearing off or recovering a worn flat roof and installing a new membrane, insulation and edge metal, so ponding and repeat leaks end for good.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesNeed rubber roof installation in Cresskill, NJ?
Call (551) 395-0321 for a local roofer in Cresskill and nearby towns.