Rubber sheet
The rubber membrane is adhered or fastened with as few seams as possible.
Flat Roofing
Rubber Roof Installation Closter, NJ
Installing a rubber roof in Closter 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) 395-0646 to reach a local roofer.
Rubber roofing usually means EPDM, though some people use the term for any single-ply membrane. 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. Its seams are joined with primer and tape instead of hot air.
The first decision is how the membrane is held down. The sheet can be glued to the substrate, fastened with plates at the seams or laid loose under a layer of stone. For homes, adhered EPDM is the most common choice.
Two more decisions round out the plan. Thicker 60 mil membrane stands up better to foot traffic and hail. Black EPDM absorbs heat, which helps in cold climates, while white EPDM reflects sun and keeps rooms below cooler. The installer also plans how the membrane laps under shingles above it and up the wall beside it, where leaks tend to start.
Depending on what the roofer finds, rubber roof installation in Closter, NJ can go hand in hand with rubber roof repair and flat roof installation.
Need rubber roof installation in Closter? Call (551) 395-0646 to reach a nearby roofing contractor.
Call nowThe process
How rubber roof installation works
Here is how a roofer typically installs an EPDM roof.
Prepare the deck
Damaged decking is replaced and drainage is confirmed before any insulation goes down. On a replacement, old layers come off first.
Install insulation
Polyiso insulation and a cover board create a flat, firm base for the rubber. Slope can be built in at this stage.
Sheet layout
The membrane is unrolled, aligned and allowed to settle before bonding. Seam layout follows the direction of drainage.
Adhering
Contact adhesive goes on the board and the membrane, and once it is tacky, the sheet is laid down and brushed. 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.
Tape the laps
Laps are primed and joined with seam tape, then rolled to remove air. Tape edges are finished with lap sealant.
Finish the edges
Flashing goes up walls and around curbs, with boots at pipes and new edge metal at the perimeter. Termination bar and counter flashing seal the wall edge. Before the crew leaves, seams are probed for any loose spots.
What is included
What rubber roof installation covers
Tear-off
The base is cleared and checked for a sound start.
Edge metal
Termination bar, pipe boots and edge metal are installed with materials made for EPDM.
Seam tape
Seams are primed, taped and rolled with lap sealant at the edges.
Cover board
Rigid insulation and a cover board form the base for a smooth surface.
Related service
EPDM Roof Installation Closter, NJ
The quality of an EPDM installation shows up years later in the seams and edges. Rushing the adhesive, skipping primer or leaving wrinkles under the sheet are the common mistakes. Dry, mild days give the best bond. Some installers use water-based adhesive for the field of the roof and solvent-based adhesive at walls and curbs, where the grip has to be strongest.
In Closter, an experienced EPDM installer leaves room for the membrane to move and age. Securing the membrane at the edges and flashing corners correctly prevents later tears. It is worth asking how the edges will be secured.
Local help
Rubber Roof Installation Near Me
In Closter, EPDM is a popular choice for low slope roofs on additions and attached garages. Homes in Closter and nearby places including Demarest, Norwood, Harrington Park and Haworth benefit from rubber roofing because it flexes with the seasons, so installation details matter as much as the material.
Searching for rubber roof installation near me from Closter or Demarest, Norwood, Harrington Park and Haworth? Call (551) 395-0646 to talk to a roofer who works in your part of town.
Roofs in this climate
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. Coastal storms and heavy spring rain drive water sideways into flashing, valleys and old chimneys. Most homeowners in Closter, NJ have the roof checked in the fall and again after the snow melts.
Why call
Why act early
Smaller repairs
Small roof problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Familiar with local homes
Local roofers see the same roofs and storm damage across Closter and nearby towns.
Know what happens next
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Rubber Roof Installation questions
Which EPDM thickness should I choose?
The common choices are 45 mil and 60 mil. Sixty mil resists punctures better and lasts longer, which helps on roofs with foot traffic or hail. Even thicker sheets are available for demanding roofs.
Can a rubber roof go over an existing roof?
A recover is possible only under certain conditions. The old roof must be a single dry layer, with a recover board over it. Otherwise, a tear-off is needed. The roofer tests the old roof for moisture before recommending a recover.
How long does a new rubber roof last?
Rubber roofs often last decades. Regular inspections help it reach its full life. Patching EPDM is straightforward.
What is the difference between EPDM and TPO?
EPDM is synthetic rubber, while TPO is a thermoplastic membrane. EPDM uses taped seams and stays flexible in cold, and TPO uses welded seams and reflects heat. Both are common on flat roofs.
What color EPDM is best?
Black and white each have their place. Black EPDM absorbs heat, which can help in cold climates, while white EPDM reflects sunlight and keeps the rooms below cooler. Talk through the choice with a roofer.
More questions? Call (551) 395-0646
Other services that may help
Rubber Roof Repair
Repairs for leaking rubber roofs, from peeling seams to pulled flashing at walls and curbs, after the real leak point is found.
Learn moreFlat Roof Installation
Installing TPO, PVC, EPDM or modified bitumen roofs on additions, garages, porches and flat-roof homes, planned around how the roof will be used.
Learn moreTPO Roofing
White, heat-welded TPO single-ply roofing for low-slope homes and buildings, with seams welded into one watertight sheet.
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 servicesGet rubber roof installation help in Closter
Call now for Closter rubber roof installation and help in the towns around it.