Rubber roof

Where_is_my_pencil?

Hi All
Has anyone had experience of replacing a felt flat roof with EDPM rubber? All the reviews I can find are from the product suppliers claiming how great it is, but I would really like to know from the consumer's point of view. Is is lasting well? Does it look ok? Did you think it was value for money over other alternatives (GRP/felt)? I am planning on installing it myself.

Many thanks!

savemoney

I have 4 roofs done with it on a garage (west facing side of house), small extension to rear (north facing) and front porch and large bay window south facing at front. All have been done in last 3 - 6 years so no problems. Only slight issue is in Winter on North facing and west facing with slight build up of moss which isnt bad to be honest. I clean with oxygen bleach if it gets bad

It should last 20+ years

panchenlama

if yoh have the choice I would advise building over with a pitched roof (which will last 50+ years)

Where_is_my_pencil?

Thanks for your responses!
The roof is question is on a detatched garage. It's flat with an obvious fall, but until I win the lottery it will have to stay as a flat roof! I'm not too worried about moss/ algae but thanks for the cleaning tip. It's nice to hear a review from a consumer rather than a supplier!

Avoriaz

I put an EPDM roof on my garden shed a few months ago. The shed has an apex roof.

It cost about £70 for the rubber, adhesive and delivery compared to about £30 for bitumous felt but it will probably last for 30 plus years compared to 5 to 10 years for felt.

It was very easy to install and it looks fine, a dark grey colour. I have not yet noticed any build up or discoloration from leaves, moss or algae etc but, as it has a fairly steep pitch, the rain washes everything off regularly.

It is too early to judge longevity but my research showed that EPDM has been used for 50 years on roofs with few failures or problems.

Go for it.

iamcornholio

I've specified EPDM roofs, and have done my own

Its very easy to do, and long lasting - I am aware of a roof over 23 years old and still going strong

As for moss/algae, my understanding is that algae cant grown on the EPDM and moss cant form, and you will only get surface moss if debris collects on the surface and the moss grown on that

Where_is_my_pencil?

Thanks iamcornholio and Avoriaz! My next question was going to be 'is it easy to do' but you've already answered that! It looks like there's going to be one more rubber roof in the world!

Thanks again!

slipperyshoe

Generally I would stay well clear of EPDM, however if you are installing yourself it is by far the simplest product to install (you can order it made to measure and just glue it down).

If you have stone chippings on the existing roof then make sure you sweep them off and if they are bonded to the roof scrape it with a spade. Like all DIY projects good preperation is the key to a good fiinish, leave a stone under your roof and it will be leaking before you know it (especially 1-2mm thick EPDM rubbish).

iamcornholio

slipperyshoe wrote: »

Generally I would stay well clear of EPDM,

Why? What is wrong with it?

alanobrien

The one thing missing here is any mention of stripping the old felt roof to fit the EPDM. Installing EPDM on a new clean roof is very easy indeed but i wouldn't under estimate the hard work that may be required to strip the existing roof covering especially if it was fitted well.

I have a flat double garage roof to do in spring and i will probably go for EPDM even though the existing felt roof lasted 30 years. The reason its likely i will go for EPDM is not that i believe its better, its simply because its easier to DIY than felt.

slipperyshoe

iamcornholio wrote: »

Why? What is wrong with it?

Basically it is installed and sold by many cowboys. It is only a 1-2mm single layer system and therefore is susceptible to puncture (I have personally seen a roof which was leaking as sea gulls were drinking water from a puddle on the roof!). It can be a slip hazard. The guarantees that are sold with it are on the whole not worth the paper they are written on. It is not great for refurbishment (becuse it is so thin). Many of the products on the market have no certification (e.g. BBA or Agremant certification, therefore you only have the salesmans word that it will last how long they say it will).It can be difficult to detail; It is easy to install but difficult to install well.