Flat roofing
EPDM rubber roofing
A single sheet of synthetic rubber, cut to size and bonded to the deck. On a simple rectangle it can go down with no joints at all in the middle of the roof, which removes the most common place for a flat roof to fail.
How an EPDM roof is fitted
- The deck is checked and made good, and the surface is swept clean and dry — EPDM is bonded, so contamination shows up later as a blister.
- The sheet is cut oversize, relaxed so it loses its roll memory, then folded back and bonded down in sections with contact adhesive.
- Upstands and corners are formed with the sheet itself and, at internal and external corners, with pre-formed pieces.
- Trims, drip edges and outlets are fitted and sealed.
Where it suits
Garage roofs, extension roofs, dormers and porches — anything reasonably simple in shape. Fitting is quick, it can be done in cold weather that would stop a GRP job, and the field of the roof has no seams to open up.
What to watch
The material rarely fails; the details sometimes do. Look at how the corners are formed, whether the upstand height is adequate, and how the trim is terminated. It is also relatively soft: it does not want regular foot traffic or anything dropped on it, so it is a poor choice for a roof that will be walked on.
We fit ClassicBond EPDM. Sheet thickness and the adhesive system are both worth asking about on any EPDM quotation.
EPDM questions
Can EPDM be walked on?
Occasionally, for maintenance and to clear gutters. It is not a walk-on surface: for a balcony or a roof terrace, GRP or a protected system with paving supports is the right answer.
Can it be repaired if it gets damaged?
Yes. A puncture is patched with the same material and the appropriate primer, and a properly done patch is as sound as the sheet. That is one of the practical advantages of the system.
Not sure what your roof needs?
An inspection ends with a written report and photographs, whether or not you go ahead with the work.
Inspection fee: £99.00.