What is EPDM?
Often chosen for
- Rowhouse and brownstone roofs with little foot traffic
- Roofs with complex shapes, where a flexible membrane helps
- Owners who want a repair-friendly system
Types and installation methods
| Fully adhered | Membrane glued to the insulation or deck; common on rowhouse roofs. |
| Mechanically attached | Fastened with plates and battens hidden under seam strips. |
| Ballasted | Loose-laid and held down with stone; less common on small residential roofs. |
| Thickness | Common thicknesses are 45, 60 and 90 mil. |
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
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How long does EPDM last?
Estimated life expectancy: 15–25 years (EPDM rubber), from InterNACHI's Standard Estimated Life Expectancy Chart. InterNACHI says these figures assume regular maintenance and normal wear and are guidelines, not guarantees. Real service life depends on installation quality, drainage, exposure and upkeep.
Signs your EPDM roof needs repair
- Seam tape lifting or seams opening
- Membrane pulling away at parapets or edges (shrinkage)
- Bubbles or blisters in adhered areas
- Punctures and cracked flashing boots
- Ponding water and clogged drains
Repair or replace?
A few open seams, a puncture or a failed pipe boot can be repaired with EPDM patches and primer-applied tape. When shrinkage has pulled flashings loose all around the roof, seams are failing everywhere, or the insulation beneath is saturated, replacement is usually the better investment.
What affects the cost
We price every job after inspecting and measuring the roof. These are the main factors:
- Roof size and number of penetrations
- Tear-off of existing layers
- Insulation replacement or added tapered insulation
- Membrane thickness and attachment method
- Flashing at parapets, chimneys, skylights and bulkheads
- Access and debris removal
[Owner: optional typical price range from your own jobs. Leave out if you prefer quoting per job]
EPDM in Brooklyn & NYC
EPDM, often just called a rubber roof, is common on Brooklyn rowhouses and small multifamily buildings. Many leaks we find on rubber roofs come from parapet flashing and old patches, not the open field of the membrane.
Our process
- Inspection & photos
We inspect the roof, drains and flashing and document what we find. - Written estimate
Scope, materials and options in writing before work starts. - Installation or repair
EPDM work done to the manufacturer's instructions. [Owner: manufacturers/brands you install] - Clean-up & final photos
Debris removed, final walkthrough and photos.
Compare other flat roofing options
TPO · Modified Bitumen · Built-Up (BUR) · Rolled Roofing · All flat roofing systems