• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Air compressors
  • Lawn Mowers
  • Chainsaws
  • Welding
  • Water
    • Water Filters
    • Water Softeners
    • Water Heaters

Kyle's Garage

Kyle's Garage

How to install rubber roofing

By Kyle's Team

how to install rubber roofing

Would you like to know the complete process on how to install rubber roofing?

The option of rubber roofing comes up whenever a particular roof angle has four in twelve pitch or less. This measurement allows you limited installation choices, and the most preferable and popular one is rubber roofing.

Table of Contents

  • What Is Rubber Roofing?
  • What Is The Cost Of Rubber Roofing?
  • Different Types Of Rubber Roofing?
    • EPDM
    • TPO
    • PVC
    • Rubber Shingles
  • How To Install Rubber Roofing
  • How To Maintain Your Rubber Roofing?
  • Conclusion

What Is Rubber Roofing?

new rubber roof tiles with blue skybackground

If you are a homeowner looking for reliable roofing material, something that is flat and a more durable substitute to asphalt shingles. Something that can serve as a protective layering over your current roof, then rubber is the solution to your problem.

Rubber roofing is composed of a mixture of sawdust, recycled tires, and slate dust. It usually refers to three compounds of membranous, single-ply materials utilized for low-sloped roofs.

  • EPDM
  • TPO
  • PVC

Each type has distinguishable benefits, impediments, and costs.

Rubber roofing is available in rolls that are installed in long and overlapping sheets. It is also available in shingles that will have an outward aspect similar to slate tiles.

It is mostly utilized in flat roofs to create a low-cost, lightweight, and appealing roofing alternative.

What Is The Cost Of Rubber Roofing?

The cost of single-ply rubber roofing ranges from one to twelve US dollars per square foot.

The overall cost will depend on the particular material, how thick it is, the type of adherent likes glues (more costly), or mechanical fasteners like screws (cheaper). Or with ballasts, which are layers of stone yet more affordable.

Also, the cost might increase if you have to rip off materials and include insulation or decking at the time of replacing the roof.

Adding chimneys, skylights, and HVAC units will increase the expense since it introduces more roofing complications.

Different Types Of Rubber Roofing?

Rollers on the roof of industrial site Isolated flat lay view of pvc material Wrapping and place of plastic

EPDM

  • Is the acronym for Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymer
  • Single-ply
  • Fire-resistant and can endure hail
  • Easy to install
  • It has a black color that absorbs heat
  • Affordable, the price ranges from one to four US dollars per square foot
  • It has a lifespan of more than thirty years
  • It can potentially shrink and can allow water to seep through
  • The color black might not look aesthetically attractive

TPO

  • Acronym for Thermoplastic Polyolefin
  • Comparatively new roofing material
  • Has color alternatives
  • Affordable, whose price ranges from two to five US dollars per square foot
  • Energy efficient
  • Adheres using heat-welded seams that are low-maintenance and last longer
  • Setting it up takes a long time and requires experience
  • Its lifespan and track record is yet to be determined

PVC

  • Polyvinyl Chloride
  • It is durable and can resist harsh weather conditions
  • It has a lifespan of more than thirty years
  • Recyclable
  • Waterproof
  • It has color alternatives
  • More expensive, its price ranges from six to twelve US dollars per square foot
  • It has environmental and health concerns

Rubber Shingles

  • It costs 4.33 to 7.22 US dollars per square foot
  • It can look similar to other in-demand roofing materials like wood shake or stone slate
  • Recyclable
  • Wind, fire, and impact resistant
  • It has a lingering odor after installation but goes away after a while

How To Install Rubber Roofing

Construction waterproof insulation cement and steel coating Light background with copy space for text

Aside from being durable and low maintenance, rubber roofing (either shingles or rolls) is quicker and easier to install and repair compared to slate or asphalt shingles.

Here is the proper procedure in how to install rubber roofing:

1. Preparing the roof surface

Before installing the rubber roofing, you have to begin with a clean surface. You need to remove the dirt, debris, and other materials found on top of the roof.

It also has to be entirely dry and stripped of all the asphalt layers. Commercial roofs may have complications like drainage issues, so a professional roofer is the best one to install the rubber roofing for you.

2. Measuring and marking

After cleaning and stripping down the roof, the next step is to measure and mark the area for any chimneys, antennas, or vents. Use a pencil or chalk to make it clear.

Your roof needs enough rubber roofing to cover it entirely, including an overhang for the roof edge and adjacent walls.

In this step, you will also have to set up the drip back trim and drip batten at the edge of the roof to channel rainwater towards the gutter.

3. Preparing the rubber sheet or shingles

Rubber rolls are installed differently from rubber shingles and take longer and are more comprehensive.

Rubber shingles follow a simpler installation process similar to asphalt shingles, wherein they are nailed on the roof in rows.

Also, rubber shingles can be used along with rubber rolls to improve appearance.

4. Applying the rubber rolls

Since rubber sheet application is more laborious, it is advisable to work on a half sheet at a time.

Use a paint roller to apply the adhesive onto the roof.

While the adhesive is still wet and after making the necessary adjustments to the sheets, unroll it flatly on the surface. Let the rubber rest for thirty minutes.

5. Brushing

Brush the surface with a large broom to remove any air bubbles and to make the bond stronger.

6. Finishing touches

  • Seal the roof corners with pressure-sensitive flashing
  • Take out any excessive rubber sheets
  • Make water-tight seals for any equipment situated on the roof
  • Fasten the drip edge, gutter, and wall trim with screws
  • Seal all trims with silicone sealant

If you did the installation process correctly, the rubber roofing will remain effective and protect you from harsh weather conditions for more than twenty years.

How To Maintain Your Rubber Roofing?

The biggest benefit of rubber roofing is that it requires less care and maintenance compared to slate or asphalt roofs.

If it develops cracks or leaks, you do not need to call a professional roofer to repair it, and you can do it yourself.

You can patch it up by applying a fresh coat of liquid rubber, sealant, or latex tape.

You can also patch up the leak by installing rubber shingles over it.

Do remember that rubber will expand and contract with varying temperatures. It cannot be installed or worked upon at a forty-degree temperature or less.

Conclusion

If you cannot find a suitable material for your low-pitched roof, rubber roofing might be the answer to your problem.

It is not only durable but is also affordable and easy to set up on your roof.

With the proper knowledge of how to install rubber roofing, you can set it up quite easily in due course, which will protect your home for a long time.

Filed Under: Roof

Primary Sidebar

Suggested posts

    what is a roof curb
  • What is a roof curb?
  • what is a roof certification
  • What is a roof certification?
  • roofer working on the house roof
  • When is the slow season for roofing?
  • Corrugated metal roof and metal roofing
  • What is the best gauge for metal roofing?
  • metal roof hail damage
  • Everything You Need to Know About Metal Roof Hail Damage
  • ridge vent
  • How useful is a roof ridge vent?
  • Worker installing underlayment sheet on wooden roof of new house
  • How to install TPO roofing
  • worker install new shingle on the roof
  • Where to dispose of roofing shingles near me?
  • Rusted galvanized iron plate
  • How to rust galvanized metal roofing
  • Roofer worker painting bitumen praimer at concrete surface by the roller brush Waterproofing
  • How to remove roofing tar

More information about roof

Categories

  • Air Compressors
  • Blog
  • Buying Guides
  • Chainsaws
  • Generators
  • How-Tos
  • Lawn Mowers
  • Reviews
  • Roof
  • Snow blowers
  • Water
    • Water filters
    • Water heaters
    • Water softeners
  • Welding

Footer

About

Kylesgarage.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Additionally, kylesgarage.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links.

Top Posts

Your Ultimate 2020 Mini Split Buying Guide

Your Ultimate 2021 Mini Split Buying Guide

A Guide to Seamless Use of a Portable Sawmill

A Guide to Seamless Use of a Portable Sawmill

Choosing an outboard motor for your small boat

Choosing an outboard motor for your small boat

More Buying Guides

Menu

  • Home
  • Buying Guides
  • Reviews
  • Blog
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure
  • Contact Us

Kyle's Garage Copyright © 2023 · All rights reserved.