Flashing
Every penetration and edge is sealed for a finished roof.
Flat Roofing
Rubber Roof Installation Summit, NJ
A Summit roofer who installs EPDM can put a new rubber roof on a flat or low slope section of almost any home, so the roof handles sun, cold and storms for decades. Call (908) 679-5768 to reach a local roofer.
Rubber roofing usually means EPDM, though some people use the term for any single-ply membrane. It comes in large, flexible sheets, most often black, in 45 or 60 mil thickness, and its biggest strength is that it stays flexible in heat and cold without cracking. Its seams are joined with primer and tape instead of hot air.
Attachment method shapes the rest of the installation. The sheet can be glued to the substrate, fastened with plates at the seams or laid loose under a layer of stone. On most homes, fully adhered EPDM is the usual choice because it handles wind well and stays smooth.
Two more decisions round out the plan. A 60 mil sheet is tougher than 45 mil for roofs that see foot traffic. White EPDM suits sunny roofs, and black suits cooler climates. The transition to a steeper roof or a wall is planned with the same care, since that is where low roofs most often leak.
Depending on what the roofer finds, rubber roof installation in Summit, NJ can go hand in hand with rubber roof repair and flat roof installation.
Need rubber roof installation in Summit? Call (908) 679-5768 and describe the problem to a roofer who works in Summit.
Call nowThe process
How rubber roof installation works
Each layer is set up to give the membrane a smooth, solid base.
Prepare the deck
The roofer checks the deck for rot, gaps and loose sheets and confirms the roof has enough slope to drain. A tear-off comes first on existing roofs.
Add the cover board
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.
Lay the sheet
The membrane is unrolled, aligned and allowed to settle before bonding. Laps are arranged so water flows over them.
Bond the membrane
Half the sheet is folded back, adhesive is applied to both surfaces and the rubber is pressed into place. Each half gets the same treatment in turn. Brooming from the middle outward pushes trapped air to the edges.
Seal the seams
Laps are primed and joined with seam tape, then rolled to remove air. Tape edges are finished with lap sealant.
Finish the edges
Flashing goes up walls and around curbs, with boots at pipes and new edge metal at the perimeter. Counter flashing covers the top of wall flashing. Before the crew leaves, seams are probed for any loose spots.
What is included
What rubber roof installation covers
EPDM membrane
A 45 or 60 mil EPDM sheet is installed with as few seams as possible.
Deck preparation
Decking is inspected and replaced where needed for a sound start.
Seams
Every seam gets primer and tape for a lasting bond.
Cover board
Insulation adds energy savings and slope and gives the adhesive a firm grip.
Related service
EPDM Roof Installation Summit, NJ
EPDM roof installation is straightforward in concept and demanding in the details. A flat, dry base, properly timed adhesive and carefully primed seams are what make EPDM last. Installers work in dry weather so the bond holds. Some installers use water-based adhesive for the field of the roof and solvent-based adhesive at walls and curbs, where the grip has to be strongest.
For a Summit home, the installer thinks ahead to how the roof will behave over the years. 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 about edge securement before work starts.
Local help
Rubber Roof Installation Near Me
Around Summit, homeowners often choose EPDM for flat roof sections because it is durable and easy to repair. Homes in Summit and nearby places including Chatham, Mountainside, New Providence and Short Hills benefit from rubber roofing because it flexes with the seasons, which is why the seams and flashing deserve careful attention.
For rubber roof installation in Summit, NJ or nearby towns like Chatham, Mountainside, New Providence and Short Hills, call (908) 679-5768 to reach a roofer who covers your street.
How the weather here affects roofs around Summit
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, which is how ice dams form and back 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 Summit is busiest after a hard winter and before the next one.
Why call
Why act early
Less damage
Small roof problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Familiar with local homes
Local roofers see the same roofs and storm damage across Summit and nearby towns.
Clear next steps
Ask the roofer about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Rubber Roof Installation FAQ
Is a rubber roof the same as TPO?
EPDM is synthetic rubber, while TPO is a thermoplastic membrane. EPDM uses taped seams and stays flexible in cold, and TPO uses welded seams and reflects heat. Each suits different roofs.
How thick should a rubber roof be?
The common choices are 45 mil and 60 mil. The thicker sheet holds up better to traffic and weather. Thicker 90 mil membrane exists for heavy use.
What color EPDM is best?
Color affects heat gain. Black holds heat and white reflects it. A roofer can recommend what fits your home.
Is it possible to install EPDM over the old roof?
A recover is possible only under certain conditions. Codes generally allow one recover over a dry, sound roof. If the old roof is wet, it must come off. The roofer tests the old roof for moisture before recommending a recover.
What is the lifespan of a new EPDM roof?
A properly installed EPDM roof commonly lasts 20 to 30 years or more. Good seams, drainage and occasional checks make the difference. Small repairs are easy to make.
More questions? Call (908) 679-5768
Other services that may help
Rubber Roof Repair
EPDM rubber roof repairs done with primer, cover tape and lap sealant made for rubber, so the membrane seals again without a tear-off.
Learn moreFlat Roof Installation
Flat roof installation from the deck and tapered insulation up to the seams, flashing and edge metal, with every wall, curb and penetration flashed properly.
Learn moreTPO Roofing
Heat-welded TPO membrane for flat and low-slope roofs, with seams welded into one watertight sheet.
Learn moreFlat Roof Replacement
Replacing old built-up, torch-down, EPDM or TPO roofs with a new system built to drain, with tapered insulation where water used to sit.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesGet rubber roof installation help in Summit
Call (908) 679-5768 to talk to a roofer serving Summit, NJ.