Cover board
Rigid insulation and a cover board form the base under the rubber.
Flat Roofing
Rubber Roof Installation Newton, NJ
A roofer in Newton can install a rubber roof by laying EPDM membrane in wide sheets over insulation and a cover board, bonding or fastening it down and sealing every seam with primer and tape, with as few seams as possible. One call to (973) 858-9950 reaches a nearby rubber roof installer.
Rubber roofing usually means EPDM, though some people use the term for any single-ply membrane. EPDM is sold in wide rolls, typically 45 or 60 mil thick, and it stretches and recovers as the roof moves through hot and cold seasons. Unlike TPO and PVC, its seams are taped rather than heat welded.
EPDM can be attached in three main ways. 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. A 60 mil sheet is tougher than 45 mil for roofs that see foot traffic. Black EPDM absorbs heat, which helps in cold climates, while white EPDM reflects sun and keeps rooms below cooler. The transition to a steeper roof or a wall is planned with the same care, since that is where low roofs most often leak.
Depending on what the roofer finds, rubber roof installation in Newton, NJ can go hand in hand with rubber roof repair and flat roof installation.
Need rubber roof installation in Newton? Call (973) 858-9950 to reach a nearby roofing contractor.
Call nowThe process
How rubber roof installation works
Each layer is set up to give the membrane a smooth, solid base.
Prepare the deck
Damaged decking is replaced and drainage is confirmed before any insulation goes down. Old roofing is removed if the roof is being replaced.
Add the cover board
Rigid insulation, often polyiso, is fastened with plates and screws, then a cover board goes on top. Low spots can be corrected with tapered insulation.
Sheet layout
The EPDM is unrolled, positioned and left to relax so wrinkles flatten before any adhesive goes on. Seam layout follows the direction of drainage.
Adhering
Half the sheet is folded back, adhesive is applied to both surfaces and the rubber is pressed into place. Then the other half is done the same way. Brooming from the middle outward pushes trapped air to the edges.
Seal the seams
Laps are primed and joined with seam tape, then rolled to remove air. Exposed edges get lap sealant.
Flash the details
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. A final walk checks every seam with a probe before the job is closed out.
What is included
What goes into a rubber roof
Rubber sheet
Wide sheets of EPDM cover the roof with as few seams as possible.
Flashing
Every penetration and edge is sealed with materials made for EPDM.
Tear-off
Old roofing is removed and the deck is repaired so the roof sits on solid wood.
Seams
Laps are joined with seam tape and is checked before closeout.
Related service
EPDM Roof Installation Newton, 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.
A good Newton installer also plans for movement. Securing the membrane at the edges and flashing corners correctly prevents later tears. Ask about edge securement before work starts.
Local help
Rubber Roof Installation Near Me
Rubber roofs in Newton are common on porches, garages, additions and flat sections of older homes. From Newton to neighboring communities such as Andover, Hopatcong, Allamuchy and Franklin, rubber roofs that drain properly and have well sealed flashing last the longest, which is why the seams and flashing deserve careful attention.
For rubber roof installation in Newton, NJ or nearby towns like Andover, Hopatcong, Allamuchy and Franklin, call (973) 858-9950 to reach a roofer who covers your street.
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. Heat escaping from the attic melts snow on the upper roof, and the water refreezes at the colder eaves, which is how ice dams form and back water up under the shingles. Strong coastal storms push rain into every weak spot at the flashing and valleys. That is why roof repair in Newton is busiest after a hard winter and before the next one.
Why call
Why fix it now
Drier ceilings
Small roof problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Local knowledge
Roofers in Newton know the roof types and weather wear common in local homes.
Straight answers
Ask the roofer about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Rubber Roof Installation FAQ
What is the lifespan of a new EPDM roof?
A properly installed EPDM roof commonly lasts 20 to 30 years or more. Thickness, seam quality and maintenance all affect its life. Small repairs are easy to make.
What color EPDM is best?
Color affects heat gain. White helps in sunny climates, and black is common where winters are long. Ask about both options.
How thick should a rubber roof be?
Most residential EPDM is 45 or 60 mil. 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 difference between EPDM and TPO?
They are related but not the same. Black EPDM is taped and stretchy, and white TPO is welded and reflective. A roofer can help you choose.
Can a rubber roof go over an existing roof?
A recover is possible only under certain conditions. 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. The roofer tests the old roof for moisture before recommending a recover.
More questions? Call (973) 858-9950
Related services
Rubber Roof Repair
Repairs for leaking rubber roofs, from peeling seams to pulled flashing at walls and curbs, so the membrane seals again without a tear-off.
Learn moreFlat Roof Installation
Flat roof installation from the deck and tapered insulation up to the seams, flashing and edge metal, planned around how the roof will be used.
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
Replacing old built-up, torch-down, EPDM or TPO roofs with a new system built to drain, so ponding and repeat leaks end for good.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesTalk to a Newton roofer about rubber roof installation
Call (973) 858-9950 to talk to a roofer serving Newton, NJ.