From the Kennedy Space Center to the stadium that houses the New England Patriots, liquid EPDM rubber can be found protecting buildings everywhere. This versatile, durable roof coating offers a host of benefits which increase both the economic and the environmental friendliness of commercial construction.
What Is It?
EPDM (ethylene propylene diene terpolymer monomer) is a synthetically manufactured rubber material which comes in both solid sheets as well as liquid form. It has been used for about 50 years in commercial building applications, making it a time-tested and proven material providing extensive benefits for its users.
Benefits of Liquid EPDM Rubber
One of the main advantages of using liquid EPDM for roofing applications is its versatility. It can be applied to almost any surface, including:
- Fiberglass
- Concrete
- Foam
- Metal
- Wood
- Fabric
- Rubber
In addition, while most other liquid roofing materials require multiple coats, EPDM liquid rubber typically only requires one.
EPDM liquid rubber offers a host of performance benefits in commercial building applications. Some of the properties of this material that give it the ability to function so well as a protective flat or sloped surface membrane include:
- The ability to expand and contract – EPDM is very flexible, and can withstand the expansion and contraction which naturally occurs in varying weather conditions. This flexibility helps minimize cracking and other damage that occurs when a substance constantly grows and shrinks.
- Ponding resistance – ponding water is a major concern for structures with a flat roof. The roof’s outer membrane must be able to tolerate standing water for long periods of time, and EPDM rubber coatings perform exceptionally well in this regard.
- Weather resistance – this substance is engineered to be extremely UV-resistant, as well as take exposure to hail without becoming damaged.
- Low temperature resistance – EPDM rubber coatings do not become brittle or crack in extreme temperatures, due to their superior flexibility. In fact, these products can withstand weather as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Thermal resistance – maintaining energy efficiency is an important aspect in large building design. Liquid EPDM rubber membrane material has outstanding thermal resistance, ideal for hot climates, particularly in the summer months.
- A long history – EPDM rubber coatings have been around more than twice as long as TPO. This material has a proven history of durability, longevity, performance, and ease of care.
- Low maintenance – typically all that is required to keep this kind of roof coating in good condition is occasional debris removal.
- Weight – because liquid EPDM rubber may be applied in one coat, weight concerns are minimized.
Environmental Impact
In this era of environmental responsibility, the eco-friendliness of construction materials is coming under intense scrutiny. Liquid EPDM rubber coatings are – comparatively speaking – superior in terms of sustainability and environmental impact. Not only does the production of the membrane have a low embodied energy number (representing the amount of energy required to manufacture and install a product), but it also offers low lifecycle costs due to its longevity (up to 50 years).