Is EPDM black or white?
White on black EPDM is cooler and more energy efficient than Black EPDM. White on Black EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) roofing membrane is a flexible rubber material available in 60 mil. (about the thickness of a quarter) and 45 mil (about the thickness of a dime).
Is EPDM always black?
EPDM. This membrane is a mix of Ethylene, Propylene, and a bit of Diene Monomer (EPDM). Colors can vary from black to gray but it almost always has a smooth feel because it doesn't contain surface granules.
Can EPDM be colored?
An EPDM flat rubber roof can be painted on however it is important to do so correctly. Because the rubber membrane used for an EPDM flat roof is made from rubber, the typical colour is dark grey or black.
How do I know if I have EPDM or TPO?
If one side is a white or a dove color and the other side is black it is EPDM. If the roofing material is all one color, top and bottom, it is TPO. Some TPO roofing has a fleece backing too, but the thing to remember is if the roofing material is all one color it is TPO.
Does EPDM roofing come in white?
Available in both 60-mil & Platinum™ 90-mil thicknesses, RubberGard EcoWhite EPDM Membrane is a bi-laminate, white-on-black cured membrane that can be used in conjunction with the comprehensive RubberGard EcoWhite EPDM line of accessories for rapid, consistent and cost-effective fully-adhered installations.
What color are rubber roofs?
Although rolls of rubber roofing come in standard black and white, adding universal colorant to white roll roofing changes the material to a pastel color based on a mixture of the white base to the colorant's pigment. These pastels include light yellows, greens, oranges and blues.
How do you color EPDM?
It has now been discovered that EPDM granules can be colored by coating the granules with a paint or pigment, followed by a curing step, preferably by heating, which securely binds the paint to the rubber.
Do rubber roofs come in colors?
One of the primary drawbacks to a rubber roof is its appearance. Most EPDM roofs are black. However, many manufacturers now make a white or off-white for residential use, and it is very easy and inexpensive for a homeowner to have an EPDM roof painted almost any color with an acrylic paint.
Can I paint an EPDM roof?
The EPDM Roofing Association recommends choosing an acrylic coating specifically designed for rubber roofing. They caution that you can use latex paint to cover a rubber roof, but only if you confirm with the manufacturer that the paint won't interact negatively with the materials in your roof.
What does EPDM roofing look like?
0:080:46What is EPDM Membrane Roofing? Learn in Under a Minute - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipResults in a dark gray or black color for your roof the darker colour is not helpful in reflectingMoreResults in a dark gray or black color for your roof the darker colour is not helpful in reflecting UV rays it does retain heat for those in cooler weather.
What is the white rubber roofing called?
GenTite White Rubber Roofing (EPDM – Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) is a high quality, commercial-grade rubber membrane that is resistant to weathering, tears, impacts, punctures and light foot traffic.
What type of roof is white?
White roofing systems are typically made from TPO or PVC and installed as a flat roof, but are also available in other options (like commercial metal roofing). These types of commercial roofs are commonly known as “cool roofs” because they reflect light, limiting the energy your building absorbs from solar energy.
The Pros of EPDM Roofing
EPDM roofing systems cost anywhere from $4 to $10 per square foot. This is considerably less than asphaltic (multi-layer) commercial roofing systems such as modified bitumen and built-up roofs, but comparable to other single-ply systems.
The Cons of EPDM Roofing
EPDM is susceptible to sudden damage caused by hail impacts, wind-driven debris, foot traffic, and rooftop equipment. This problem only gets worse as the membrane ages.
Is EPDM Energy Efficient?
There is some debate regarding the energy efficiency, or lack thereof, of EPDM. Actually, the answer to this question depends primarily on location and membrane color.
How Is EPDM Roofing Installed?
There are three different installation methods for EPDM roofing systems:
What Causes EPDM Roofs to Fail?
EPDM roofs can fail prematurely for a number of reasons, but most problems are caused by lack of maintenance. Other common and potentially serious issues are shrinkage and defective seams.
The Importance of EPDM Roof Maintenance
Scheduled maintenance is an easy and cost-effective way to prevent most problems on EPDM roofs. The purpose of roof maintenance is simple: inspect the roof often (in the spring and fall) to identify problems and make repairs promptly and accordingly.
Repair Options for EPDM Roofs
Once problems are identified, steps need to be taken to keep any damage to a minimum. There are a variety of factors to consider when it comes to choosing the best course of action.
What is EPDM roof?
Ethylene Polypropylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) is a resilient single ply membrane formulated primarily from propylene and ethylene. Sometimes called a “rubber roof,” EPDM roofs can offer long-term coverage of 50 years or more with proper maintenance.
How is the color of an EPDM membrane determined?
The color is determined by compounding different ingredients used to enhance UV resistance. To make a black EPDM membrane, carbon black is added which converts UV rays into heat. To make a white EPDM membrane, titanium dioxide is generally used to reflect UV rays.
Can EPDM be used for hail?
Because they include fully adhered vapor barriers and fiber glass and polyethylene reinforcements, an EPDM roofing system can withstand some of the toughest environmental weather-related elements such as high wind and hail storms. There are several different installation methods.
Is ethylene a monomer?
Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer is suitable for just about any roof type, and it’s one of the most cost effective options that promises decades of use. Beyond outperforming competitors, additional advantages of an EPDM roof installation include:
Is it better to have a flat roof or EPDM?
Regardless of whether your region is cold or warm, there’s a good chance that a EPDM flat roof system can help lower heating and cooling costs. As mentioned previously, warmer climates will enjoy the greatest benefits with white EPDM roofing while cold dwellers or those who use for energy might choose black membranes.
Can rubber roofing be repaired?
While structural failures are uncommon, the design of rubber roofing makes repairs somewhat simple compared to other materials such as shingles or metal roofing. Punctures and leaks often only require a few tools and seam tape or seam overlays to fix.
Can you use membranes on a concrete deck?
Membranes can be adhered to structural concrete and wood decks or via mechanical anchors atop steel decks. As long as the structure can support intended weights, ballasted assemblies such as a roof deck can add versatility to the space.
Introduction to EPDM Rubber Roofing
EPDM is a durable, waterproof, elastomeric, and highly flexible synthetic rubber which is well-suited for use as a single-ply roofing material for many reasons. “EPDM” is an acronym for “ethylene propylene diene monomer”, which is the full chemical name of EPDM rubber.
Characteristics of EPDM
EPDM is an elastomeric, thermoset, black or white synthetic rubber noted for its durability. It has good resistance to moisture, UV rays, heat, hail, ozone, and alkalis and acids. It has a high tensile strength, resists tearing, and remains flexible in cold weather (down to -45°F/-43°C).
Lifespans of EPDM Rubber Roof Systems
If an EPDM roof has been installed correctly, with high-quality workmanship and high-quality materials, the key determining factor in the length of the expected useful service life of the roof will be the thickness of the EPDM membrane material.
Things that Damage EPDM Rubber Membranes
Rubber roof membranes are easily damaged by sharp objects, oils, gasoline and other fuels, grease, fats, and solvent-based asphalt compounds such as asphalt roof cement.
Useful Links for EPDM Roofing Information
1. General: See this in-depth general article about various roof systems on the Whole Building Design Guide site, which is maintained by the National Institute of Building Sciences.
A Roof System for Every Climate
For more information, this article on EPDM in different climates from ERA’s Choosing the Right Membrane may be of particular interest.
Urban Surfaces and White Roofs
This recent study by Stanford University researchers found that reflective roofs do not have the same impact on reducing the urban heat island as others have asserted.
What is EPDM roofing?
What is EPDM? EPDM is an extremely durable synthetic rubber roofing membrane (ethylene propylene diene terpolymer) widely used in low-slope buildings in the United States and worldwide. Its two primary ingredients, ethylene and propylene, are derived from oil and natural gas. EPDM is available in both black and white, ...
How thick is EPDM?
EPDM is available in both black and white, and is sold a broad variety of widths, ranging from 7.5 feet to fifty feet, and in two thicknesses, 45 and 60 mils. EPDM can be installed either fully adhered, mechanically attached or ballasted, with the seams of the roofing system sealed with liquid adhesives or specially formulated tape.
