A Beginner’s Guide to Liquid Rubber Roofing

Posted on March 4, 2014 by rubberroofing

Unless you’re a really big fan of the great outdoors, you need a reliable roof to keep nature in its place. This starts with the materials you first use, but can also extend to ones you choose later on to further the life of your roof. If you’re looking to fix a leak or simply bolster an area on top of your residential home, keep reading for a beginner’s guide to liquid rubber roofing.

What is Liquid Rubber Roofing?

The term is pretty self-explanatory, but liquid rubber roofing refers to a method of either bolstering or building a roof that involves the use of liquid rubber. Using liquids for this purpose dates back to antiquity, but rubber caught on as a viable material in the 1960s.

It generally comes in a can that looks like the type you find paint in. As a liquid, it is applied the same way, too. You can either use a paintbrush, a roller, or spray the rubber on the surface of your roof.

The benefits of liquid rubber roofing are numerous, which explains its popularity. Let’s take a look at a few of these positive characteristics now.

Weather-Resistant

Rubber is a great material for dealing with the weather for a number of reasons. First, rubber is extremely durable, so any kind of abuse Mother Nature can throw at it will basically be shrugged off.

However, rubber isn’t a rigid material, by any means. So, when the sun’s heat becomes oppressive, rubber roofing expands. By doing this, it doesn’t crack or get worn out. As soon as the temperature begins dropping, the roofing contracts.

Pleasing Finished Product

Along with all this durability, liquid rubber roofing can actually produce a fairly pleasing finished product, as well. Nowadays there are a number of colors to choose from, so you can pick just about any you like. Because it’s applied as a liquid, it also does a good job of smoothing out surfaces and providing an unwrinkled finish.

Application

Applying liquid rubber is about as easy as painting. As mentioned above, it basically requires the same kinds of equipment, as well. This means many people save money by handling the process themselves.

Longevity

Once applied, a liquid rubber roof will last for decades with little-to-no maintenance. If, for whatever reason, it does need repairs, all you need to do is add another coat.

Disadvantages

No product is perfect, and liquid rubber roofs are no exception. Liquid rubber cannot be applied directly over shingles, for one thing. For any asphalt or tar surface you need to coat first with our proFlex primer followed by the Liquid Rubber. This also goes for any roof or surface that has been previously coated with 3^rd party material; proflex primer first followed up with the Liquid EPDM.

While you have many options to help your roof do its job, few can hold a candle to liquid rubber roofing. Its longevity is certainly unmatched, and that entire time you’re getting a kind of durability only a material like rubber can provide. Although it might be pricier than other options, it can end up saving you a lot of money, and headaches, in the long run.

The Benefits of Using EPDM Rubber

Posted on June 15, 2013 by rubberroofing

EPDM rubber is popular with many homeowners because of its ease of application. As a roofing system, it has become increasingly popular in the United States for new construction projects and re-roofing projects. It is an excellent roofing solution because of its ability to withstand oxidants, ozone, and extreme weather conditions. It also has excellent heat resistance and is very good at maintaining color. EPDM is biodegradable, flexible, and easy to maintain. It can last for a long duration and remains workable even in extremely cold temperatures. Since it can be easily repaired, it makes an excellent choice for roofing applications. EPDM roofing is the best option for flat roofs and low-slope roofs as it brilliantly reduces labor costs. It is highly resistant to tears and abrasion and has extraordinary durability. If you are wondering whether EPDM rubber is the best roofing system for your home, take a look at some of its excellent benefits.

Excellent Performance

EPDM roofing can maintain its physical characteristics throughout its entire lifespan. EPDM compounds have the ability to withstand extremely high and low temperatures and are highly stable under ultraviolet light. This makes EPDM rubber an excellent roofing choice for different geographic areas regardless of the weather conditions. EPDM’s overall system performance and excellent strength help to protect a building’s integrity and to safeguard the valuable items it contains. Research has shown that EPDM roofing system offers better performance than elastomeric options such as urethanes or acrylic. Unlike the elastomeric options, it can be applied up to six times thicker. Separated seams, damaged shingles, and holes in your roof can make your property vulnerable to external substances. EPDM roofing system is a brilliant vapor and gas barrier and offers superior performance against extreme temperatures. This makes it an excellent roofing system for both residential and commercial applications. It is also used in many industries because of its excellent resistance to chemicals and acids.

Flexible Membrane

EPDM rubber has a highly flexible membrane that enables it to be used for various roofing applications; from barrel-roof systems with steep slopes, to roof decks with low slopes. EPDM rubber can be used on a roof with large empty expanses because it comes in 10 and 20-ft-wide rolls helping to minimize seams. The membranes also offer design flexibility which allows them to be used in numerous applications.

Environmentally Friendly

As compared to other membranes, EPDM roofing has a lower environmental impact during its production. It is also highly durable which makes it a greener option than other products. Additionally, during replacement, EPDM can be reused. It can be cut into strips or melted down and reused.

Low Installation Costs

EPDM roofing has low installation costs as compared to other roofing systems. During installation, no heat, heavy machinery, or dangerous fumes are used. To install the panels, all you need is the equipment used for adhesive application. In addition, EPDM rubber has an easy installation process and the contractor labor costs are considerably cheaper than for other roofing systems. EPDM roofing systems have long-term warranties and can be easily installed over existing roofing systems. This makes them the best option for re-roofing and roofing projects.

Who Uses Liquid Rubber Coatings?

Posted on December 11, 2012 by rubberroofing

There are generally two types of groups who choose liquid coating. The first are those looking for an economical way to extend the life of an existing roof and those building owners who want to save on the installation costs and have their staff apply the material. There are numerous systems on the market; those requiring a primer base and multiple coats to those needing a fabric reinforcement between coatings. With Liquid EPDM rubber for most roof types it is a one coat application. For those with tar or asphalt roofs the ProFlex Primer would be needed. Let’s take a closer look as some of the properties of the Liquid EPDM rubber and add some of the feedback from our customers.

Easy to work with- Once you mix the catalyst you have a 4 hour pot life more than sufficient to insure a proper application.

Durability-With Liquid EPDM you won’t need to worry about repairing your roof year after year. A one coat application is expected to last 1-16 years before minor touch up’s are needed. Also since you are only applying one coat the overall weight of your roof is significantly decreased vs. the multiple coat systems.

EPDM is one of the most resilient roofing materials out on the market. Its ability to expand and contract without fractures occurring is what has made it the choice of roofers around the world. Now Liquid EPDM provides all those important benefits of sheet EPDM with a few more added benefits. Since it is a liquid it will gradually “fill in” to the small openings of any roof substrate and leaving behind an airtight seal between the substrate and the coating. Since it’s a liquid once it cures it will be as if someone put a “one piece” layer of epdm on your roof. Never worry again about seams coming undone. Also Liquid EPDM is formulated differently and it will not chalk after 8-9 years. Our roofing clients appreciate the fact that it waterproofs immediately upon application. Many times have we received calls from roofers who where in the middle of a job when a rain storm came in. Yes, an added bonus with the product is that as long as it was applied to a dry surface weather conditions after the fact are not a concern.