Seam tape
Every seam gets primer and tape with lap sealant at the edges.
Flat Roofing
Rubber Roof Installation North Arlington, NJ
Installing a rubber roof in North Arlington means choosing the EPDM thickness and attachment method, then flashing walls, curbs and edges so the membrane can move without tearing, with as few seams as possible. One call to (551) 348-7205 reaches a nearby rubber roof installer.
EPDM is the material most people mean when they say rubber roof. The membrane is thick, stretchy rubber that tolerates temperature swings and resists hail and sunlight well. Unlike TPO and PVC, its seams are taped rather than heat welded.
EPDM can be attached in three main ways. Adhered, fastened and ballasted systems each suit different buildings and wind conditions. For homes, adhered EPDM is the most common choice.
Thickness and color are the next choices. Sixty mil EPDM costs a little more than 45 mil but resists punctures better and lasts longer. Black is standard and holds heat, while white reflects it. The installer also plans how the membrane laps under shingles above it and up the wall beside it, where leaks tend to start.
Many rubber roof installation calls in North Arlington also turn up a need for rubber roof repair or flat roof installation.
Dealing with this in North Arlington, NJ right now? Call (551) 348-7205 to talk to a local roofer.
Call nowThe process
How rubber roof installation works
Each layer is set up to give the membrane a smooth, solid base.
Check the base
Damaged decking is replaced and drainage is confirmed before any insulation goes down. A tear-off comes first on existing roofs.
Install insulation
Rigid insulation, often polyiso, is fastened with plates and screws, then a cover board goes on top. Low spots can be corrected with tapered insulation.
Roll out the membrane
The EPDM is unrolled, positioned and left to relax so wrinkles flatten before any adhesive goes on. Seam layout follows the direction of drainage.
Adhering
Contact adhesive goes on the board and the membrane, and once it is tacky, the sheet is laid down and brushed. Each half gets the same treatment in turn. Brooming from the middle outward pushes trapped air to the edges.
Seaming
Seam areas are cleaned and primed, then seam tape is applied and rolled firmly with a seam roller. Exposed edges get lap sealant.
Flashing
Walls and curbs get membrane flashing held by termination bar, pipes get pre-molded boots and corners get uncured flashing. Counter flashing covers the top of wall flashing. The last step is probing each seam and patch for gaps.
What is included
What goes into a rubber roof
Edge metal
Walls, curbs, pipes and edges are flashed for a finished roof.
Deck preparation
The base is cleared and checked before new layers go down.
EPDM membrane
A 45 or 60 mil EPDM sheet is installed over a clean, dry base.
Cover board
Rigid insulation and a cover board form the base for a smooth surface.
Related service
EPDM Roof Installation North Arlington, NJ
Installing EPDM well comes down to preparation, seams and flashing. Rushing the adhesive, skipping primer or leaving wrinkles under the sheet are the common mistakes. Weather matters too, since adhesives and primers need dry conditions. The field and the flashings may get different adhesives, since vertical surfaces need a stronger grip.
A good North Arlington installer also plans for movement. Flashing at walls and curbs is secured with termination bar so the sheet cannot pull loose as it ages, and corners get flexible uncured flashing. Ask how the roofer secures the perimeter.
Local help
Rubber Roof Installation Near Me
Rubber roofs in North Arlington are common on porches, garages, additions and flat sections of older homes. From North Arlington to neighboring communities such as Kearny, Rutherford, East Rutherford and Secaucus, rubber roofs that drain properly and have well sealed flashing last the longest, which is why the seams and flashing deserve careful attention.
For rubber roof installation in North Arlington, NJ or nearby towns like Kearny, Rutherford, East Rutherford and Secaucus, call (551) 348-7205 to reach a roofer who covers your street.
How the weather here affects roofs around North Arlington
Winters here are long and cold, with snow on the roof for weeks at a time and plenty of nights below freezing. When warm attic air melts the snow, the meltwater runs down and freezes again at the eaves, building ice dams that push water up under the shingles. Coastal storms and heavy spring rain drive water sideways into flashing, valleys and old chimneys. That is why roof repair in North Arlington is busiest after a hard winter and before the next one.
Why call
Why not wait
Less damage
A roof problem fixed early rarely spreads to the decking, the insulation or the ceilings.
Roofers who know North Arlington
Local roofers see the same roofs and storm damage across North Arlington and nearby towns.
Know what happens next
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Common questions about rubber roof installation
How thick should a rubber roof be?
Most residential EPDM is 45 or 60 mil. Sixty mil resists punctures better and lasts longer, which helps on roofs with foot traffic or hail. Thicker 90 mil membrane exists for heavy use.
What is the difference between EPDM and TPO?
The two are different materials. Black EPDM is taped and stretchy, and white TPO is welded and reflective. Both are common on flat roofs.
Is it possible to install EPDM over the old roof?
Recovering depends on the condition of the old roof. There should be only one existing layer, the insulation must be dry and a cover board or recover board goes between the old roof and the rubber. If the old roof is wet, it must come off. A moisture check of the old roof settles the question before any work is planned.
What is the lifespan of a new EPDM roof?
Rubber roofs often last decades. Good seams, drainage and occasional checks make the difference. Small repairs are easy to make.
Should my rubber roof be black or white?
Color affects heat gain. Black holds heat and white reflects it. A roofer can recommend what fits your home.
More questions? Call (551) 348-7205
Other services that may help
Rubber Roof Repair
Fixing open seams, punctures, shrinkage and split flashing on EPDM rubber roofs, after the real leak point is found.
Learn moreFlat Roof Installation
Installing TPO, PVC, EPDM or modified bitumen roofs on additions, garages, porches and flat-roof homes, with every wall, curb and penetration flashed properly.
Learn moreTPO Roofing
TPO membrane roofs installed over new insulation or in place of a worn flat roof, with seams welded into one watertight sheet.
Learn moreFlat Roof Replacement
Tearing off or recovering a worn flat roof and installing a new membrane, insulation and edge metal, with tapered insulation where water used to sit.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesNeed rubber roof installation in North Arlington, NJ?
Call (551) 348-7205 for a local roofer in North Arlington and nearby towns.