Edge metal
Every penetration and edge is sealed to keep water out.
Flat Roofing
Rubber Roof Installation Hillside, NJ
Installing a rubber roof in Hillside 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 (908) 562-6893 reaches a nearby rubber roof installer.
A true rubber roof is EPDM, a synthetic rubber membrane used on flat and low slope roofs for decades. EPDM is sold in wide rolls, typically 45 or 60 mil thick, and it stretches and recovers as the roof moves through hot and cold seasons. Unlike TPO and PVC, its seams are taped rather than heat welded.
The first decision is how the membrane is held down. Fully adhered roofs bond the whole sheet to the cover board with adhesive, mechanically attached roofs use plates and fasteners along the seams and ballasted roofs hold a loose sheet down with river stone. For homes, adhered EPDM is the most common choice.
Then comes thickness and color. 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. Where the rubber meets a shingled roof or the house wall, the tie-in detail matters as much as any of these choices.
Many rubber roof installation calls in Hillside also turn up a need for rubber roof repair or flat roof installation.
Dealing with this in Hillside, NJ right now? Call (908) 562-6893 and describe the problem to a roofer who works in Hillside.
Call nowThe process
What happens during a rubber roof installation
A rubber roof is built in layers, with the seams and flashing as the critical details.
Check the base
Damaged decking is replaced and drainage is confirmed before any insulation goes down. Old roofing is removed if the roof is being replaced.
Add the cover board
Rigid insulation, often polyiso, is fastened with plates and screws, then a cover board goes on top. Tapered boards add slope where needed.
Lay the sheet
The EPDM is unrolled, positioned and left to relax so wrinkles flatten before any adhesive goes on. Seam layout follows the direction of drainage.
Apply adhesive
Half the sheet is folded back, adhesive is applied to both surfaces and the rubber is pressed into place. Then the other half is done the same way. Brooming from the middle outward pushes trapped air to the edges.
Tape the laps
Seam areas are cleaned and primed, then seam tape is applied and rolled firmly with a seam roller. 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. Termination bar and counter flashing seal the wall edge. A final walk checks every seam with a probe before the job is closed out.
What is included
Parts of a new EPDM roof
Tear-off
The base is cleared and checked for a sound start.
Seam tape
Every seam gets primer and tape for a lasting bond.
Rubber sheet
The rubber membrane is adhered or fastened over a clean, dry base.
Insulation
A cover board protects the insulation for a smooth surface.
Related service
EPDM Roof Installation Hillside, NJ
Installing EPDM well comes down to preparation, seams and flashing. A flat, dry base, properly timed adhesive and carefully primed seams are what make EPDM last. Dry, mild days give the best bond. The field and the flashings may get different adhesives, since vertical surfaces need a stronger grip.
For a Hillside 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. It is worth asking how the edges will be secured.
Local help
Rubber Roof Installation Near Me
Rubber roofs in Hillside are common on porches, garages, additions and flat sections of older homes. From Hillside to neighboring communities such as Union, Elizabeth, Roselle Park and Vauxhall, rubber roofs that drain properly and have well sealed flashing last the longest, so installation details matter as much as the material.
Searching for rubber roof installation near me from Hillside or Union, Elizabeth, Roselle Park and Vauxhall? Call (908) 562-6893 to talk to a roofer who works in your part of town.
Roofs in this climate
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. Most homeowners in Hillside, NJ have the roof checked in the fall and again after the snow melts.
Why call
Why fix it now
Smaller repairs
Small roof problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Local knowledge
Local roofers see the same roofs and storm damage across Hillside and nearby towns.
Know what happens next
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Rubber Roof Installation FAQ
What is the difference between EPDM and TPO?
EPDM is synthetic rubber, while TPO is a thermoplastic membrane. EPDM is usually black, very flexible and seamed with tape, while TPO is usually white, more reflective and heat welded at the seams. Each suits different roofs.
Should my rubber roof be black or white?
Color affects heat gain. Black holds heat and white reflects it. Ask about both options.
Is it possible to install EPDM over the old roof?
EPDM can sometimes go over an existing roof. The old roof must be a single dry layer, with a recover board over it. If the old roof is wet, it must come off. The roofer tests the old roof for moisture before recommending a recover.
Which EPDM thickness should I choose?
The common choices are 45 mil and 60 mil. Thicker 60 mil is tougher and longer lasting. Heavy duty options exist too.
What is the lifespan of a new EPDM roof?
EPDM can last 25 years or longer. Regular inspections help it reach its full life. Repairs are simple when needed.
More questions? Call (908) 562-6893
Related services
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
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
White, heat-welded TPO single-ply roofing for low-slope homes and buildings, sized to the deck, the drains and the way the roof is used.
Learn moreFlat Roof Replacement
Replacing old built-up, torch-down, EPDM or TPO roofs with a new system built to drain, so ponding and repeat leaks end for good.
Learn more
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See all roofing servicesNeed rubber roof installation in Hillside, NJ?
Call (908) 562-6893 to talk to a roofer serving Hillside, NJ.